Why We Raise Our Hands

 

Why We Raise Our Hands

Exodus 17:8 – 16

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

     No doubt Moses had some praising to do.  Standing on a hill overlooking the first Israelite skirmish, this was not their first on their way to the promised land.  Did God tell him go up there?  Don’t know, but he took his rod with so ordained the fight.

     But how did his posture cue anything different to Israel?  Aaron and Hur went up to help.  Joshua had picked the men to fight.  He was in the midst of battle while the other two guys struggled themselves.  Moses chose to stand and lift his arms to heaven.  What seemed like a good idea soon weighed heavily on his arms.  Lowering them for a rest, Aaron and Hur probably nodded the ok.  Joshua, on the other hand, felt the squeeze.  Looking up, seeing Moses on the down, meant Israel was on the run.  Grabbing stones, Moses’ friends propped him up till the going down of the sun.  Israel’s first confrontation resulted in their enemy being routed.

     Roll ahead 3,500 years.  Same God, same Spirit and we raise our hands upon hearing praise songs stream from the arena’s big stage.  Church day comes, we meet the brothers and sisters swaying in the pews.  A certain inspired song comes across the airwaves and our hands nearly lift off the wheel.  Who can explain this worldwide phenomenon?

     Perhaps if we explore the meaning, this pattern found in history would make more sense.  First, it is not natural for a man to raise his arms up.  Yet in this we find the universal tie linking man to something higher.  Worship as it will.  Moses would have known this.  Crossing the Red Sea compelled everyone to get their hands in the air.  They could not help it.  Excitement shot Israel’s arms up in charisma, but it was more than that.

     In raising our hands in worship, we emphatically identify with the truth being conveyed.  As if the Teacher calls out, “Can I have a witness?”  With both hands, we proclaim our heart is there also.

     Jesus surely deserves interactive worship.  In this vulnerable posture, onlookers behold our stance toward Him.  We stand with hearts born towards Him.  Trust is so indicative, we as children present our persons to Him in vulnerability.  We declare His hand gentle and His voice quiet able to culminate desires beyond our manufacturing.  We indeed are receivers then with arms wide open.

      But what of times when His people get rowdy?  Jumping in the air, we are far from a little excited!  The whole room gets buzzing and the electric air conducts a rejuvenating spirit we cannot deny.  Charisma meets us on a Sunday morning.  In fact, the loud music within greets us before we open the door.  Why do we lift our hands and clap?  Because it’s FUN!

      There are many reasons.  There are many postures.  Hands lifted low or lifted high, we are not ashamed of the One we worship.  We will indeed become undignified since it is not natural to stand or even prostrate ourselves.  Moses knew this and he wanted an unnatural God to remain involved to carry them through.

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