[This article will be included as one of the chapters in an upcoming book I will be releasing later this year.]

The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52:10

In our modern times, it’s unheard of for kings, presidents, or prime ministers to be present on the battlefield. But in the lands and times of the Bible, it was commonplace for kings to not only be present but fight in the battles. This custom was carried out well into the Middle Ages.

In the Bible there are many accounts of kings fighting in battles. Some were successful, and some were not. Keeping in mind kings did indeed fight in battles helps us understand the meaning of God bearing His holy arm.

Kingly Robes

The robes of kings in the Bible times were long garments with long sleeves. In times of battle, the king would remove his robe. The sleeves would then be tied together in a knot. The knotted robe would then be put over his head so that his robe would now be behind him, held by the knotted portion which was now around his neck.

This indicated to all those present, as well as to the enemy, the king was not hindered in any way. His arms were free and unobstructed. He was now prepared to fight.

Does God Have Arms?

There are places in the Bible that talk about God’s arm, or His arms. But does God really have arms? No. The Scriptures tell us God is a spirit. Giving God human characteristics is a figure of speech. It helps us understand Him better. And many times, it adds great emphasis to what we are reading.

Arms are a symbol of strength. When you read about God promising to deliver the Children of Israel out of Egypt with a “stretched out arm,” it shows God’s great power and might to do such a thing. That is much more emphatic than to just simply say, “I will redeem you.”

Making Bare His Holy Arm

God making bare His holy arm is not only indicative of His strength and power, but also of His willingness. He has removed His robe. He is ready to go to work. He is ready and willing to fight for you and me.

We might have more confidence in God when we call upon Him for help, if we were to remember that He indeed does bare His arm for us. But sadly, some people don’t feel worthy of God helping them in such a dramatic fashion. They think, “Oh, maybe a little bit of help, but certainly not taking off His robe and going to battle on my account. Who am I that He should do something like that for me?”

If you’re a parent, would you hesitate to help your child with your resources? I certainly wouldn’t. The Bible declares we are children of God. That is either just a nice religious phrase, or it is literally true. It is true! We are His children, and nothing can separate us from His love.

Since there are so many, many places in the Scriptures that encourage us to call upon God for help, why shouldn’t we expect that as a loving Father, He will indeed help us? Perhaps, instead of looking at our weaknesses and shortcomings, we ought to put our focus on our powerful and delivering God!

Why not picture Him taking His robe off and bearing His arms for you, not because you deserve it; not because you’ve earned it; but simply because He loves you.

Isaiah 52:10
The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Exodus 6:6
Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV)
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you.

John 4:24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Galatians 3:26
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:38 and 39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.