Using Analogies and Examples to Illustrate God's Handiwork
The concept of God's "handiwork" or "work" is a recurring theme in biblical texts, often used to illustrate divine power, wisdom, and active involvement in creation and human affairs. The heavens, for instance, are said to "declare the glory of God" and the "expanse shows his handiwork" [7]. This "handiwork" is understood as the "work of His hands," encompassing the sum of God's perfections [11].
The Bible uses various analogies and examples to convey this idea. The name Elpaal, for example, means "God's work," and Asiel means "the work of God," indicating that individuals can embody or be associated with divine activity [1, 5]. Similarly, Eliphaz signifies "the endeavor of God" [6]. The book of Ecclesiastes acknowledges "the work which God has put on the sons of man," suggesting a divine purpose or task for humanity [2].
God's work is not limited to creation but extends to His deeds on behalf of humanity, which are described as "awesome" [3]. The "hand of the Lord" is an anthropomorphism—a description of God using human characteristics—that signifies God's active presence and work in a person's life, as seen in the account of John the Baptist's birth [9]. Even in judgment, God's "hand" can be lifted, as when the Philistines were advised to make images of their tumors and rats to give glory to the God of Israel, hoping He would remove His hand from them [8].
The broader concept of "works" in scripture also includes human actions, particularly "good works." These are described as "fruits meet for repentance" or "fruits of righteousness" [4]. Such works are understood to be "wrought by God in us" and are performed "by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God" [4]. The Scriptures themselves are designed to lead people to these good works [4]. Elihu, in the book of Job, emphasizes the illustrious and conspicuous nature of God's work, encouraging a cheerful submission to divine providence by contemplating God's wisdom, power, and goodness in His visible works [10].
Sources
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Elpaal — God's work”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 3:10 (BBE) — I saw the work which God has put on the sons of man.”
- Psalms “Come, and see God’s deeds— awesome work on behalf of the children of men. -- Psalms 66:5”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Works, Good — Christ, an example of -- Joh 10:32; Ac 10:38. Called Good fruits. -- Jas 3:17. Fruits meet for repentance. -- Mt 3:8. Fruits of righteousness. -- Php 1:11. Works and labours of love. -- Heb 6:10. Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God -- Php 1:11. They alone, who abide in Christ can perform -- Joh 15:4,5. Wrought by God in us -- Isa 26:12; Php 2:13. The Scripture designed to lead us to -- 2Ti 3:16,17; Jas 1:25. To be performed in Christ's name -- Col 3:17. Heavenly wisdom is full of -- Jas 3:17. Justification unattainable by -- Ro 3:20; Ga 2”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Asiel — the work of God”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Eliphaz — the endeavor of God”
- Psalms “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. -- Psalms 19:1”
- I Samuel “I Samuel 6:5 (BSB) — Make images of your tumors and of the rats that are ravaging the land. Give glory to the God of Israel, and perhaps He will lift His hand from you and your gods and your land.”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 1:66: 1:66 the hand of the Lord: This anthropomorphism (describing God with human characteristics, cp. 1:51) meant that God was at work in John’s life.”
- Job (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Job 36:24: Elihu is here endeavouring to possess Job with great and high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him into a cheerful submission to his providence. I. He represents the work of God, in general, as illustrious and conspicuous, Job 36:24. His whole work is so. God does nothing mean. This is a good reason why we should acquiesce in all the operations of his providence concerning us in particular. His visible works, those of nature, and which concern the world in general, are such as we admire and commend, and in which we observe the Creator's wisdom, power, and goodnes”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 19 (introduction): After exhibiting the harmonious revelation of God's perfections made by His works and His word, the Psalmist prays for conformity to the Divine teaching. (Psa 19:1-14) the glory of God--is the sum of His perfections (Psa 24:7-10; Rom 1:20). firmament--another word for "heavens" (Gen 1:8). handywork--old English for "work of His hands."”