YOUR HANDS ARE FULL OF BLOOD

Solomon, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was granted insight into six things that God abhors. Among them is hands that shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17).

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly rebukes His people for the sin of bloodshed. For instance, in Isaiah 1:15, He declares:

When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!

This imagery of “hands full of blood” signifies more than literal murder; it encompasses all forms of injustice and oppression. The people of Judah were guilty of exploiting the vulnerable, neglecting the oppressed, and engaging in corrupt practices. Their outward religious rituals were rendered meaningless due to their inward moral corruption.

In Isaiah 59:3, the prophet further emphasizes:

For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things.

Here, “stained with blood” indicates a deep-seated guilt and a pervasive culture of sin. The people’s actions were not merely individual transgressions but reflected a systemic issue of injustice and deceit.

Theologically, these passages underscore a profound truth: God does not desire mere ritualistic worship but seeks justice, mercy, and humility from His people. As Micah 6:8 states:

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

The New Testament echoes this sentiment. In Matthew 5:22, Jesus teaches:

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

Here, Jesus equates harboring anger and contempt with the gravity of murder, highlighting the importance of reconciliation and purity of heart.

Furthermore, in 1 John 3:15, the apostle writes:

Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

This reinforces the idea that sin is not confined to outward actions but encompasses thoughts, attitudes, and intentions.

Dear reader, you may be a devoted prayer warrior, a diligent teacher, a compassionate helper, or a faithful pastor. However, if your heart harbors hatred, unforgiveness, or malice, your hands are spiritually stained. These internal sins are just as grievous in God’s sight as outward acts of violence.

In Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus instructs:

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

This passage emphasizes the necessity of reconciliation before engaging in worship, indicating that God values relationships and justice over ritual.

To cleanse our hands and hearts, we must immerse ourselves in God’s Word. As Psalm 119:9 asks:

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.

The Word of God serves as a mirror, revealing our flaws and guiding us toward righteousness. It convicts, heals, and transforms us.

In Matthew 18:22, when Peter inquires about the extent of forgiveness, Jesus responds:

Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

This indicates that forgiveness should be limitless, reflecting God’s boundless mercy toward us.

May the Lord help us to purify our hearts and hands, making them clean like those of His Son, Jesus Christ. Only then can we draw near to Him and receive His blessings.

As Job 17:9 affirms: