Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Uplifted Hands


I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1 Timothy 2:8


Semites, when praying, stretch out their arms and lift up their hands as though they were about to receive something. This is a gesture of supplication. When men plead before a high official of church or state, they lift up their hands, making gestures of sincere appeal. When they stand at attention, their hands are folded in front of them. When people beg for mercy they also stretch out or lift up their hands. “Lift up holy hands” means to plead with a sincere heart and motive.

(Lamsa, George. New Testament Commentary, A.J. Holman Co., Philadelphia: 1945, pgs 406-407)

2 comments:

  1. Although I haven't commented in a while, I still do read your blog here. Thanks for it all!

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  2. Hmmm... This post also has me thinking of the story of Moses and his tired arms being lifted up by Aaron and Hur. (Exodus 17:9-12)

    9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the brod of God in mine hand.
    10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
    11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
    12 But Moses’ hands awere heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur bstayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

    Your post has me thinking about how we, as Latter-day Saints, must be sure we are "holding up" (sustaining, praying, and supplicating God for) our modern prophets and apostles. Are we “lifting up THEIR holy hands”... sustaining them... with all of our hearts, mights, minds, and strength?

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