What Does The Finger Of God Signify? Exploring His Absolute Authority

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Published by Shannon Jacobs

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We often communicate with other people through finger or hand signals. We point in directions and send signals or other symbols through our fingers. When we speak of the Finger of God [1], the Bible clearly alludes to the symbolism of His almighty power and essence as the creator of all mankind and the whole universe.

The Scriptures are laden with references to how the Finger of God set the Ten Commandments, showed His will and judgment, and displayed His mercy and compassion. When we look around us, we can witness God’s fingerprints everywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • The Finger of God symbolizes His power in creation, protection, and the delivery of His laws and judgments, notably through the Ten Commandments and miracles.
  • Jesus Christ’s miracles and teachings, regarded as manifestations of God’s power, highlight faith’s capacity to overcome obstacles and affirm that nothing is impossible with God.
  • God’s power is unlimited, guiding, protecting, and demanding accountability from humanity, as illustrated in biblical narratives like the Exodus, the writing on the wall during Belshazzar’s feast, and Jesus’ actions and teachings.

What Is The Finger Of God?

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Psalm 8:3–4

The Finger of God is a powerful symbol of the Almighty’s power over creation and His ability to protect the Jewish nation and the whole of mankind. It is through the Finger of God that we learned of God writing His rules and laws, guarding us against idols and evil.

It also symbolizes His mercy and judgment, as it is with this finger that He writes His rules for us to follow. By understanding the power of the Holy Spirit, we can better appreciate how God protects us from harm and guides us in our journey toward righteousness.

hand emerging from the skies over green mountains and finger of god

What Does The Finger Of God Refer To?

Jesus Christ: The Great Healer And Miracle Worker

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

— Mark 10:27

Jesus Christ is one of the most influential figures in history. He was known for His healing and miracle-working abilities, which were seen as proof of His divinity. The words “Nothing is impossible with God” have become a source of hope and comfort to many throughout the centuries.

Jesus demonstrated His power to heal with a simple touch of His hand or even just a word. His miracles are evidence that faith in God can move mountains and make the impossible possible.

Jesus’ miracles have inspired people throughout history to have faith that nothing is impossible with God’s help. Jesus showed us that we can use our faith to overcome any obstacle and be healed from any affliction if we put our trust in Him. Some of the miracles of Jesus include:

  • Healing the blind and lame
  • Taming the storm
  • Cleansing a leper
  • Feeding thousands
  • Healing the deaf
  • Raising the dead

God’s Unlimited Power

God’s power is unlimited. He needs no teachers to guide or correct him.

— Job 36:22–23

God is the ultimate creator and source of life. He is all-powerful and has no match in terms of strength, wisdom, or knowledge. His power is unlimited. He can intervene directly in human affairs to protect His people from evil forces. In Egypt, the heart of Pharaoh hardened, yet he ultimately gave in to the might of the Lord. Pharaoh’s magicians also capitulated to the Lord.

The finger of God can create miracles and protect us from our enemies. He can provide us with guidance and direction when we are lost or confused. His power is also limitless, allowing Him to do anything He desires without any restrictions or limitations.

What Was Written With The Finger Of God?

The Miracle In Egypt

The magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.”

Exodus 8:19

In the Old Testament, the story of the Ten Plagues and the Exodus from Egypt is one of the most famous narratives in the Bible. It is a story of God’s power, mercy, and justice. The Finger of God was seen in this miraculous event that freed the Israelites from slavery and brought them out of Egypt.

The Ten Plagues were a series of disasters sent by God to challenge Pharaoh’s heart, who refused to free Moses and Aaron’s people from slavery in Egypt. These plagues included turning water into blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock disease, boils, hailstorms, and locusts.

Even Pharaoh’s magicians and their secret arts were no match for God. Finally came the tenth plague—the death of all firstborn children—which convinced Pharaoh to let Moses’ people go free.

This story is an example of how powerful God can be when He chooses to act on behalf of His people. It also serves as a reminder that He will always protect those who put their trust in Him and that He will always keep His promises.

The Ten Commandments

When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.

Exodus 31:18

The Covenant Law, also known as the Ten Commandments, is a set of laws given by God on Mount Sinai. God gave Moses these laws, written on two tablets of stone, that he carried down from the mountain. This historical event is the second reference to the Finger of God in the Bible.

The Ten Commandments are fundamental to the Jewish faith and are seen as a symbol of God’s covenant with his people. They provide guidance for living a moral life and serve as an example of how people should live in relationships with one another. The Finger of God is often used to refer to the power and authority behind these laws, signifying that they come directly from God himself.

The Hand Writing On The Wall

Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote.

Daniel 5:5

In Chapter 5 of the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament, Belshazzar’s feast is portrayed as a meal where the guests drank from vessels that had been plundered as a result of the First Temple’s destruction. Written by hand is the writing on the wall. Belshazzar asks his smart men to read it because he is scared, but they are unable to.

It was decided to call upon the wise Daniel. He tells Belshazzar that Nebuchadnezzar was overthrown due to his haughtiness. Belshazzar had also defied God, and once he did, God sent this hand to him. Daniel then examines the message and deciphers its significance: God has counted Belshazzar’s days and is watching over him. The writing on the wall alluded to the supremacy and power of God.

Jesus Writing In The Dirt

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

John 8:6-8

A woman who had committed adultery was brought to Jesus. The teachers of the law told Jesus that, according to the Law of Moses, she should be stoned. However, they were eager to find out what Jesus would say about it. Jesus did not only stoop but also write with His finger on the ground twice.

As a result of their understanding that Jesus was so gracious and forgiving, the religious leaders of Israel were trying to catch Him in an impossible situation. As a consequence, the leaders felt they had trapped Jesus and that He would violate the Law of Moses.

But Jesus said, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (v. 7). Then, the teachers of the Law left. The finger of God represented the condemnation of sin, but it was also emblematic of the healing and forgiving grace of God.

Jesus Casting Out Demons 

But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

—Luke 11:20

In Luke 11, Jesus did good work, healing a man who was mute. Some thought there was evil power at work in the Lord. Their thoughts were formed from their feelings and not from what was happening outside of them. Yet some of those around Him did not recognize His goodness.

Jesus was beginning a new phase in human history and lifting our world in a spiritual way that was layered with His divine power. He was controlling His disciples through divine power, “by the finger of God.” The miracle was showing that the kingdom of God had begun on earth.

We all have to see Jesus as the Master and have faith in Him that He can take care of us no matter what difficulties people have in life. It does not matter what difficulties people have in life—His power can deal with them.

hand emerging from the night sky in a city and finger of god

Summary

God’s finger is primarily a symbol of his colossal, limitless might. God’s hand and finger have more power than every single person on Earth, every fallen angel and demon, and every other force in the cosmos combined.

The Finger of God is seen directing power through revelation at Sinai and in the story of the adulterous woman in John 8. The Ten Commandments were revealed to Israel by God because He is love, the giver of life, and the light of the world. Jesus has continued to interpret the Ten Commandments for His first-century followers up to the present day. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Finger of God rules our world now and in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Finger Of God?

The Finger of God refers to the symbolic representation of God’s power and authority, particularly in the creation, protection of His people, and the delivery of His laws and judgments, as illustrated by the Ten Commandments and various miracles in the Bible.

How Does Jesus Christ Demonstrate The Power Of The Finger Of God?

Jesus Christ demonstrates the power of the Finger of God through his healing and miracle-working abilities, which are seen as proof of His divinity and the embodiment of God’s power to make the impossible possible with faith.

What Are The Ten Commandments And How Are They Related To The Finger Of God?

The Ten Commandments are a set of laws given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, written on two tablets of stone, and are fundamentally related to the Finger of God as they signify the direct transmission of God’s laws and covenant with His people.

What Does The Story Of The Exodus And The Ten Plagues Illustrate About The Finger Of God?

The story of the Exodus and the Ten Plagues illustrates the Finger of God as a manifestation of God’s power, mercy, and justice in freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, demonstrating His ability to protect and deliver His people.

How Is The Finger Of God Represented In The Story Of Jesus Writing In The Dirt?

In the story of Jesus writing in the dirt, the Finger of God is represented as a symbol of judgment and forgiveness, showing Jesus’ authority to condemn sin while also offering grace and forgiveness to the sinner.

What Significance Does The Phrase “The Kingdom Of God Has Come Upon You” Have In Relation To The Finger Of God?

The phrase “the kingdom of God has come upon you” signifies the arrival of God’s reign on earth through Jesus’ ministry, particularly through miracles performed “by the Finger of God,” symbolizing divine power at work in the world.

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