PRAYER: THE SIGN OF THE COVENANT

In the tapestry of faith, prayer stands as a profound connection to the covenant relationship between God and His people. In Matthew 21:13, Jesus declared,

“It is written, My house will be a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”

Within the Hebrew language, the word for house, beit (בית), pronounced bayit, deepens this understanding, inviting us to explore the intricate symbolic meanings interwoven with creation, action, and covenant.

Pictographic Insights into Beit

To unveil the significance of bayit, we must examine the pictographic meaning of each Hebrew letter since each letter is also a symbolic representation:

• Bet (ב): Although Beit is the word in question, the first letter “b” is also called “bet,” making this word recursive. While beit is Aramaic, bet is Hebrew. Representing a house or dwelling, it serves as the physical and spiritual center of life. The house symbolizes not just shelter but the very space where divine covenant is lived out.
• Yod (י): Signifying the hand, “yad” in Hebrew, this letter embodies action, work, and the creative force—both human and divine. The hand connects the faithful to God’s promises through active participation i.e. prayer. The yod/yad implies that maintaining this household requires intentional action.
• Tav (ת): Often depicted as a cross, the letter tav represents covenant, protection, and fulfilment—the mark of God’s everlasting promises.

This house is more than a mere physical structure. It is “a house of prayer.” Here, the covenant with God is established. It is actively lived, taught, and transmitted to future generations. It isn’t enough to give people information about Christianity. To truly make disciples means leading people by example to the feet of Jesus in prayer. Only when we teach believers abiding prayer are we truly making disciples.

Beit signifies “dwelling” and “abiding.” This casts light on Jesus’ symbolic language in John 15:4.

“Abide (beit) in me, and I abide (beit) in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

The Greek construction of this sentence indicates a reciprocal relationship. “Abide in me”—is a prerequisite for Christ’s abiding in us.

On a side note: beit is the etymological root for abode i.e.

“I abide, in my bed, in my abode in Karlsbad.”

As we will see, the way to abide in God’s house is through prayer. This is also how Christ abides in us.

Faith is not a passive state; it is a commitment to living out one’s beliefs through actions, deeds, and nurturing the faith of others. More important, this translates to abiding in prayerful communion with our Lord.

The Covenant Connection of Raised Hands

The practice of swearing oaths with raised hands in ancient cultures, serves to reinforce the connection between the hand (yad) and covenantal faithfulness, represented by the letter “Tav.” Scripture presents numerous instances where raised hands signify this sacred bond:

1. Genesis 14:22 – “Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth…’” Abram’s gesture illustrates a solemn oath of allegiance to God, reflecting his deep commitment to the divine covenant.
2. Deuteronomy 32:40 – “For I lift my hand to heaven and swear: As surely as I live forever.” This proclamation highlights that raising one’s hand is a declaration of covenantal authority, embodying action and commitment.
3. Isaiah 62:8 – “The Lord has sworn by His right hand and by His mighty arm.” The imagery of God’s hand underscores His unwavering commitment to protect and deliver, thereby linking the hand to His covenantal actions.

The act of raising the hand to swear an oath transcends mere words. It embodies the obligation to actively participate in the covenant. Before we recoil at the idea of spiritual obligation, we do well to remember that this is a voluntary obligation on our part. We must remember that no-one forced us to become Christians. Becoming a Christian is an entirely voluntary and rational response in light of the obvious benefits included.

We enter into covenant by swearing an oath of loyalty. This occurs when we declare, “Jesus I give you my life.” Or you might say/have said, “Jesus I accept you as my Lord and Saviour.” Either way, these statements have implications in how we live our lives from that point on. We cannot accuse the Lord of not His doing His part, when we are clearly not doing ours.

Active participation primarily involves honouring our commitment by maintaining our hands raised in prayer, as we will explore. Moreover, our engagement is meant to cultivate faith on various levels—personally, within our families, and throughout the broader community.

Therefore, the yad—the hand of prayer—is crucially important. It connects the “house” (beit) with the “cross” or “covenant” (tav) and it’s associated benefits. This connection ensures the faithful execution of God’s promises in our lives as we fulfil our promise to Him. We achieve this through our active involvement in faith and righteousness.

The House of Prayer: A Covenant Space

As stated n Matthew 21:13, Jesus declared,

“It is written, My house will be a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.”

A den of robbers? Yes, historically Jesus is referring to the money changers in the temple. Symbolically however, the term “robbers” refers to demons i.e. unclean spirits. Consider these verses:

“The Lord said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand. So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and there came a messenger to Job and said, The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” (Job 1:12-15)

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesian 6:12)

“Do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesian 4:27)

“The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and robbers (demons) fell on him, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.” (Luke 10:30)

In light of these verses it becomes clear that the robbers that invade the house of God are spiritual entities that rob us of our good. And all, because we do not pray. Jesus expands on this in Matthew 26:41,

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation [peirasmos]. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Peirasmos (πειρασμός) doesn’t refer to “temptation” in the way we commonly think of being lured into sin. Instead, it means trials, challenges, or difficulties, particularly those that might come through external forces like unclean spirits or spiritual opposition. This broader sense of trouble can include anything that tests a person’s faith or endurance.

In Homer’s Iliad, peira (πειρα) is often used to describe the difficult challenges faced in battle. For example, in Book 11, it says:

“And Hector, as a hungry lion, hunts down the game, driven by strength and peira (test/trial/difficulty), raged forward” (Iliad 11.295).

Here, peira describes the intense challenges of combat, emphasizing the testing of one’s endurance and strength. Similarly, in the spiritual context, peirasmos refers to trials that believers face, meant to refine and strengthen their faith.

Interestingly, though peira (πειρα), meaning “test” or “trial,” sounds like the Greek word for fire (πῦρ, pyr), they are not etymologically related. However, fire and trials are closely linked symbolically. Fire is often used in the Bible as a metaphor for purification. 1 Peter 1:7 shows how faith is compared to gold tested by fire. While these two words have different origins, both fire and trials serve to refine and purify, shaping a person’s character and strengthening their faith.

Thus, peirasmos doesn’t just signify luring into sin per sei, but any kind of hardship or struggle that tests a believer’s faith, much like fire purifies precious metals.

The house of God is a sanctuary that cultivates prayer and, through it, protection.

In Scripture, the term “house” goes beyond a mere physical building—it represents a sacred space for worship, communion, and covenantal relationship with God. This idea reflects the imagery in Genesis 2:15. Adam is placed in the Garden to cultivate it. He is also tasked to guard it, making it a fortress of life amidst the chaotic world.

Just as Adam was called to tend the Garden, believers are called to maintain the spiritual “house” through prayer both privately and coporately, which acts as a shield against the trials and troubles that seek to enter.

When prayer is neglected, vulnerability sets in, and chaos creeps back in. To solve trouble, we must return to our original calling. We need to guard our relationship with God through faithful, persistent prayer. In doing so, the house of God becomes a fortress of light in the darkness, where His presence dwells and His protection is assured.

In 2 Chronicles 20:9 we read:

“‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.”

Paul elucidates this further in 1 Corinthians 3:16:

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”

This profound connection between the house, prayer and God’s presence shows that prayer is not merely an activity. It is the very essence of what the house is meant to be. It is the Presence of the Lord that protects us. Prayer defines the house of God. One can accurately say; God’s house is there where someone prays in His name.

As Genesis so vividly illustrates, the question has never been “Where is God?” but rather, “Adam, where are you?” (Genesis 3:9)

High Prayer and Its Role

The link between the house and prayer enhances our understanding. We learn what it means to engage in high prayer. This type of prayer rises above mere petition. It becomes a profound expression of reverence, intercession, and dedication. This kind of prayer transforms the house into a sanctuary. God’s presence dwells there, and the covenant is actively engaged.

In Isaiah 56:7, God proclaims,

“These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

Here, the house is portrayed as a place of joy, acceptance, and divine presence, where the covenant relationship between God and His people is nurtured through prayer.

The yod, or hand, plays a critical role in this process, as it symbolizes the active engagement of believers in prayer. When we lift our hands in prayer, we are not only participating in a ritual but are also embodying the very purpose of the house—to serve as a dwelling place for God’s presence and a beacon of hope for the nations.

The Hand: A Symbol of Prayer and Intercession

The yod/yad is instrumental in maintaining the household through the vital practices of prayer and intercession. Numerous scriptural examples illustrate the profound link between the raised hand and prayer, showcasing how this physical act signifies a deep covenantal relationship with God.

Moses’ Raised Hands: A Sign of Covenantal Protection

Exodus 17:11-12 narrates,

“As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.”

Moses’ raised hands during the battle symbolized Israel’s dependence on God’s covenantal protection. His intercession through prayer was pivotal in securing victory, emphasizing how prayer actively sustains the covenant and invites divine intervention.

Lifting Hands in Prayer of Supplication

1 Kings 8:22 states,

“Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven…”

Solomon’s act at the temple’s dedication signifies submission and intercession, linking his royal role with the upholding of the covenant.

In Psalm 28:2, the psalmist proclaims,

“Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.”

This demonstrates that raising hands embodies intense prayer and supplication, appealing to God’s covenantal mercy.

Lifting Hands in Worship and Dedication

Psalm 63:4 expresses,

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands.”

Here, the act of raising hands signifies praise and worship, acknowledging God’s covenantal love.

The New Testament echoes this sentiment in 1 Timothy 2:8:

“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.”

Paul links raised hands with prayer, urging believers to engage with God fully and trust in His promises.

Hands Raised in Blessing and Intercession

Leviticus 9:22 tells us,

“Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them.”

As the high priest, Aaron’s act of blessing underscores the intercessory role of leadership within the covenant community, linking the blessing to the commitment to uphold God’s covenant.

THE PICTOGRAPHIC MEANING OF YAD: OPENING THE DOOR TO DIVINE CONNECTION

The Hebrew word Yad (יד), meaning “hand,” is composed of two letters: Yod (י) and Dalet (ד). This combination carries profound implications, uncovering a profound meaning that extends beyond the physical representation of the hand. This is particularly true in the context of our relationship with God in term of prayer.

• Yod (י) signifies our active participation, reflecting our willingness to engage with God and take action in our faith.

• Dalet (ד), representing a door, emphasizes the invitation to step into God’s presence, opening pathways for divine interaction and communion. It also represent opening the door for God to step into our world.

Thus, the combination of Yod and Dalet in Yad not only encapsulates the essence of our physical hand. It also embodies the spiritual call to open the door to a deeper relationship with the Divine. This interplay between the hand and the door highlights our role in fostering connection and accessibility within our covenantal relationship with God.

This understanding highlights that our hands—Yadaim in Hebrew—are instruments for opening the door to God’s blessings, guidance, and covenantal promises. Through our active engagement in prayer, we reach out to God. We also open access for His presence to enter into our lives, communities, and the world.

In essence, Yad reminds us that as we lift our hands in prayer and worship, we are not merely engaging in a physical act; we are actively opening the door to a deeper connection with the divine, reinforcing our commitment to live in accordance with His covenant and purpose.

THE RECURSIVITY OF YAD: UNLOCKING DIVINE INTERACTION

The Hebrew word yad (יָד), meaning “hand,” reveals a profound pictographic meaning that emphasizes the act of opening the door—over and over, in a recursive manner.

This symbolism illustrates how the hand (Yod) is continually engaged in the act of opening the door (Dalet). It creates a recursive cycle of divine interaction and accessibility. The Yod signifies our active participation and engagement, while the Dalet represents the invitation to step into God’s presence and new realms of “living.”

At the risk of getting to technical we can represent this cursivity with a little formula (just for fun, you can skip if you like):

Recursive Formula for Yad

Definition:

• If Y represent Yod (י).
• If D represent Dalet (ד).
• The term Yad can be defined as Y + D.

Recursive Representation:

Given that Y represents the hand and the action associated with it (opening, reaching out), and D represents the Door or access, we can formulate and express Yad as follows:

• Yad=Yad (Y)+Dalet (D)
• Yod(Yad)+Dalet)
• Yad^Yad=(Y+D)(Y+D)
• Yad^Yad⇒(Y+D)

Summary of Comparisons

• The first expression defines Yad as a combination of Yad and Dalet.
• The second expression emphasizes the recursive action of the hand with respect to the entire concept of Yad, adding complexity to the interaction.
• The third expression introduces a multiplicative aspect, suggesting deeper interactions.
• The fourth expression implies that repeated actions of Yad lead back to the original components, reinforcing the first two definitions.

`To access the blessings within God’s house, we must keep the door of prayer open. Satan’s primary objective is to shut that door and let it become overgrown and inaccessible. It is our responsibility to prevent him from succeeding.

THE POWER OF DEO AND LYO: BINDING AND LOOSING

In Matthew 18:18, Jesus states:

“Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

In Matthew 18:18, Jesus teaches the profound principle of binding and loosing, using the Greek terms deo (δέω) and lyo (λύω).

While deo primarily means “to bind,” it can also imply “to close” or “to restrict.” Conversely, lyo means “to loose,” which can be understood as “to open” or “to set free.” This duality illustrates the spiritual authority believers have in accessing or closing off the blessings of God and hindering the activity of demonic influence.

Here’s a pictographic breakdown of the Hebrew word דלת (dalet), which means “door”:

Pictographic Breakdown of דלת (Dalet)

1. Components of the Word:

• ד (Dalet): Represents a door or entry point. The pictographic meaning is about access, indicating an opening to new experiences or opportunities.
• ל (Lamed): Symbolizes a shepherd’s staff or a goad. In a pictographic sense it represents authority, teaching, and guidance.
• ת (Tav): Originally depicted as a cross or mark, symbolizing a sign, covenant, or a seal. It can signify completion or a covenantal promise like the monument on Calvary.

1. Overall Meaning:

• Together, the letters form a rich symbolic representation:
  • “Dalet” (door) indicates the entry point into new experiences or spiritual realms; also allowing the new and renewing into our world.
  • “Lamed” (shepherd’s staff) suggests authority to open and close the door, leading to knowledge, understanding and experience. Lamed is the “key.”
  • “Tav” (mark or covenant) implies that entering through the door of covenant, has a significant purpose and covenantal promise attached.

1. Pictographic Representation:

• Visualizing the word דלת can be understood as:
  • A door (access),
  • A shepherd’s staff (authority),
  • A sign, mark or cross (covenant).

1. Spiritual Significance:

• The word דלת (dalet) embodies the entry to covenant blessings through faith. It symbolizes the door that opens into the abundant life that God has promised. God’s word serves as His authority, providing the framework for our relationship with Him.
• When we declare the Word of God, aligning our speech with what He has spoken, we invoke His divine authority in and over our lives. This concept is powerfully illustrated in Isaiah 55:11, which states, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
• Similarly, Psalm 23:4 reminds us, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Just as a shepherd’s rod and staff guide and protect, so does God’s Word comfort and direct us.
• By speaking God’s promises, we not only enter into His blessings but also activate His purposes, demonstrating our faith and trust in His sovereign plan. Thus, dalet signifies not just an entryway, but an active participation in the life and blessings that flow from God’s covenant with us.

Linking Yad and Dalet

Together, yad (יָד ) and dalet (דֶּלֶת ) emphasize that we open the doors of opportunity and blessing. It is through our faithful prayer—symbolised by our hands—that we enter into the richness of His covenant.

This relationship underscores the biblical principle that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). It invites us to actively participate in our covenant relationship with God. We should embrace the opportunity that prayer provides in opening the storehouse of heaven provides.

OPENING THE DOOR OF PRAYER: THE HAND IN REVELATION 3:20

In the Book of Revelation, we find a profound invitation. It is particularly in Revelation 3:20. This symbolizes the connection between the hand and the act of prayer. Jesus proclaims,

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

This imagery highlights the intimate relationship that Jesus desires with His followers. It’s not enough to hear Jesus’ voice. It also underscores the significance of opening the door of prayer. This is a physical action that requires the use of one’s hand.

Importantly: This is not something Jesus can do for us. He needs us to do it for Him.

In the biblical context, the act of opening a door represents an invitation to communion and fellowship. Here, the hand symbolizes the action of responding to God’s call. It emphasizes the necessity of human involvement in establishing a relationship with the divine.

The yod (י), meaning “hand,” signifies the active engagement required to initiate this relationship through prayer. We use our hands to open the door of prayer. This act demonstrates our willingness to enter into God’s presence. prayer fulfils our covenantal (voluntary) obligation. When we do our part “open the door,” Yeshuah can do His “bless and multiply the feast.”

The act of prayer becomes a means of entering into this sacred space where God dwells. When we open the door of prayer in response to Jesus’ knock, we ask Him to join our lives. This reflects the covenant’s promise of companionship and guidance.

In the beginning we may not have the strength to open it all the way. Even just opening it slightly will allow the breeze of heaven to come in and refresh the house. We do what we can. We do it as often as we can. We do it until we can do more.

This moment of openness encourages us to approach prayer not merely as a ritual. Instead, it is a vital engagement with God. Our hands become instruments of welcome. They invite His presence into our hearts and homes.

Revelation 3:20 reminds us that prayer invites us to deeper communion with God. The raised hand symbolizes our readiness to respond. It becomes a powerful sign of our desire to connect with Him.

In doing so, we actively participate in the ongoing covenant relationship, ensuring that our hearts and homes remain places of prayer and divine interaction.

Conclusion: The Integral Role of Hands, Prayer, and Covenant

In summary, the act of raising hands in prayer encapsulates a powerful expression of our covenantal relationship with God.

It transcends intercession, symbolizing submission, dependence, and active engagement with the divine. The yod/yad, or hand, in both oath-taking and prayer reinforces the purpose of the covenant—God’s protection, provision, and promise—through human participation in faithful action.

As we lift our hands in prayer, we invoke God’s promises. We also embody our commitment to live out our faith according to His covenant. The symbolism of hands, prayer, and covenant reminds us of our role as advocates for God’s kingdom. It urges us to actively participate in the unfolding of His divine plan. Let us raise our hands in prayer, fostering a vibrant faith that carries the legacy of the covenant through generations, ensuring that His house remains a house of prayer for all nations.

FINALLY

Let us remember that prayer is always rewarded.

“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!” (2 Chronicles 15:7, Also see Genesis 15:1)

As Scripture makes clear, prayer is work, the work of our hands.

---

Remember to Like and Subscribe!

---

Original Image: Michelle Jimenez