God’s Outstretched Arm: A Connection From Old to New Testament

In the opening lines of Psalm 98, a call resounds: “Sing to God a new song because his right hand, his holy right arm has gained victory.” This call to worship reaches back to the Exodus, a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites. Originally a small group of 70 in Egypt, they multiplied, leading the Egyptian king to fear their numbers. The king’s decision to enslave the Israelites prompted their cry for help, and God, in response, spoke to Moses.

In Exodus 3:19-20, God foretells the challenges: “But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.”

This divine promise set the stage for Moses to lead the Israelites to freedom, as reiterated in Exodus 6: “I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, deliver you from their bondage, and redeem you with an outstretched arm.”

Psalm 98 invites us to sing a new song, reminiscent of the Israelites’ jubilation as God’s outstretched arm brought plagues upon Egypt, parted the Red Sea, and secured their victory. This theme of the outstretched arm echoes through the New Testament, where Jesus extends his arms to offer a new victory—liberating us not only from physical slavery but from the chains of sin. His outstretched arms, defeating death through sacrificial love, elicit a profound sense of joy.

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come” takes on new meaning. The present tense emphasizes God’s active involvement in our lives, offering salvation today. This joy emanates from the victory secured by His outstretched arm, a victory that echoes from the Exodus to the New Testament and continues to resonate in our lives. God’s outstretched arm remains our source of salvation, a timeless reason to shout for joy.

In embracing this profound narrative, we find ourselves not merely spectators but active participants in a story that transcends time. The echoes of God’s outstretched arm become a melody in our lives, prompting us to reflect on the continuous presence of divine grace. As we join the chorus to sing a new song, may our hearts resonate with the enduring message that God’s outstretched arm is not a relic of the past but a living force, bringing victory and joy to our lives today.