51.5,The Arm of the Lord

The ‘arm that is ruling for him’ in Isaiah 40:10 is his Son, Jesus Christ, whom Jehovah has installed upon his heavenly throne.

The Hebrew and Greek terms for “arm” (zeroh´a`; bra·khi´on) are often used figuratively in the Bible to represent the ability to exert strength or power. (Ge 49:24, ftn; Job 22:8, ftn; compare Lu 1:51.)

The “arm” of Jehovah God is immeasurably powerful, able to do marvelous creative works. (Jer 27:5; 32:17)
By his “arm” Jehovah also rules (Isa 40:10; Eze 20:33),
saves those in distress (Ps 44:3; Isa 52:10),
delivers his people (Ex 6:6; Isa 63:12; Ac 13:17),
supports and cares for them (De 33:27; Isa 40:11; Ho 11:3),
judges (Isa 51:5),
and scatters his enemies (Ps 89:10; Lu 1:51).

Breaking the arm represents shattering one’s might. (Job 38:15; Ps 10:15; Jer 48:25)
Through Jesus Christ, clothed with authority and power and acting as Judge and Executioner, Jehovah manifests His might, represented by His “arm.”—Isa 53:1; Joh 12:37, 38.

david

Oh! Excellent! Thanks for bringing this thread up again. I was just chatting with GW or WJ about the “Arm” of the Lord. This thread will come in handy.

Hi Nick,
You are right, I just noticed this thread.  I think that the arm of the Lord can be referring to the Son of God-Jesus.  Is it always referring to Him or maybe Moses or Israel, or others that are carrying out the LORD's work?  What do you think?

Isa 51:8-11

9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD;
Awake as in the days of old, the generations of long ago.
Was it not You who cut Rahab in pieces,
Who pierced the dragon?
10 Was it not You who dried up the sea,
The waters of the great deep;
Who made the depths of the sea a pathway
For the redeemed to cross over?
11 So the ransomed of the LORD will return
And come with joyful shouting to Zion,
And everlasting joy will be on their heads.
They will obtain gladness and joy,
NASU

John 12:36-43

These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. 37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT? AND TO WHOM HAS THE ARM OF THE LORD BEEN REVEALED?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 “HE HAS BLINDED THEIR EYES AND HE HARDENED THEIR HEART, SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE WITH THEIR EYES AND PERCEIVE WITH THEIR HEART, AND BE CONVERTED AND I HEAL THEM.” 41 These things Isaiah said because he saw His glory, and he spoke of Him. 42 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.
NASU

Blessings!

Hi Nick,
We know that the Holy Spirit enables us and others to show the power of God. Without the enabling of the Holy Spirit we are powerless. So, I would say that the Spirit of God enables the worker of God, His “arm” in any particular situation, (whether it be Moses, or the Son, or us) to show the power of God.

Rom 15:17-19
17 Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. 18 For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 19 in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit…
NASU

G'nite all and God bless!

Isa 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

I agree with those who have already said so; the “arm” refers to Jesus Christ.
Jesus comes with a strong hand, he will rule with a rod of iron; that does not mean by force, it means no rules will be bend.
His reward for the saints are with him, their crowns.
His work, to restore the world to paradise again is before him.

Georg