Deuteronomy 33: 12-13 And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders. [King James translation]
Biblical Lesson
Chapter 34 of the book of Deuteronomy is the blessing of the tribes. The very first verse of the chapter announces that “This is the blessing that Moses, the man of GOD, gave to the people of Israel before his death.” See, Deuteronomy 34:1, Living Bible translation. Like, Isaac blessing his sons Jacob and Esau (see Genesis 27) and like Jacob blessing his grandchildren Manasseh and Ephraim; (see Genesis 48), Moses wanted to share a prophetic word from the LORD with “the children of Israel.”
To the tribe of Benjamin, Moses prayed and declared that the LORD shall “cover him” and that the LORD “dwell between his shoulders.”
The shoulder in the Bible is associated with strength. In Luke 15:4, in the Parable of the Lost Sheep,” when the herdsman finds his lost sheep, he lifts it up and lays it on his shoulder, rejoicing. In Isaiah 9:6, the prophet Isaiah preaches a Messianic message that a Child is born, a son is given, and that his name shall be called “Wonderful,” “Counsellor,” “The Mighty GOD,” “the Everlasting Father,” “The Prince of Peace” and that “the government shall be upon HIS shoulder.”
In the Book of Job, in Chapter 31, Job uses a shoulder argument to defend himself against the guilty stares and condemnation of his “friends.” Job gives a number of examples of ungodly behavior and then basically states that if he has committed any of those offenses against GOD (e.g., lied, deceived, lusted after another’s wife, been unfair to his servants, mistreated the poor, raised his hand to the fatherless, being insensitive to the plight of widow, “then let my arm fall from the shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.” In pronouncing this judgment upon himself, if he were guilty of offending GOD, Job makes it clear that losing the strength of shoulder or losing an arm, would be a harsh punishment indeed. See Job 31:22.
This verse also reminds us that when GOD dwells within us, whatever burden we may face, we have the blessed assurance that GOD can “shoulder it.” That is why the ancestors frequently said or sang: “Take your burdens to THE LORD and leave them there.”
The Need to Exercise the Shoulder
The shoulders are still associated with power. And it’s important not to take your shoulders for granted. Your shoulders allow you to get something off a shelf, drive your car, type at a keyboard, and to do numerous other things during the course of a day. Reach for something and you are using your shoulders. Carry a bag of groceries, scratch your back, lift anything of any weight and you are using your shoulders.
The shoulders are usually capable of a wide range of motion, which is why exercise is important.
Exercises that strengthen the shoulders, improve posture, increase flexibility and mobility can be done at home, at work or at a gym. As one writer noted, a pair of sculptured shoulders can look good on anyone!
Cross-Arm Shoulder Stretch:
Gently raise your left hand across your body to the opposite shoulder, allowing the hand to gently rest against the back of the right shoulder. Then gently place the right hand at your left elbow to gently lift your left elbow to the level of the shoulder, then across the body. Continue to extend your hand across your shoulder along the back until you feel the stretch. Hold for 10-20 seconds and then repeat 5-10 times. Reverse the hands and repeat the stretch on the opposite side. The purpose of this stretch is to increase range of motion and flexibility.
Arm Rotations
This exercise will strengthen your deltoid shoulder muscles. This is a simple exercise that can be done sitting or standing up. Raise your arms to shoulder level and extend them straight out to your sides. Your body will be the shape of a cross. Now rotate your arm in a forward motion for 5 revolutions and then rotate your arms backward for 5 revolutions, making circles. This is considered one set. Now, do this exercise three times, forward and backward.
Group/Class Shoulder Exercises Many gyms include shoulder exercises as part of a normal warm-up workout. Many gyms also have barbells, weights, rowing machines, presses and other machines and equipment which will help strengthen your shoulders. Speak to a Zumba, yoga, Pilates, or water aerobics instructor, or a trainer if you would like recommendations or training on shoulder exercises. Remember, during the month of January some gyms offer free sessions, 3 day passes or welcome consultations.
If you have an injury, have a medical condition, are on medication, feel any pain attempting an exercise, have questions, concerns or need assistance consult your personal physician for the best exercise program for you.
Pray for Strong Shoulders
If you are concerned about our government, the governments of other countries, or the inability of governments to end war or be more humanitarian, we can find comfort in the prophetic words of Isaiah---that one day “the government will be on HIS shoulders.” (Isaiah 9:6) Until then, we continue to pray for all government leaders. And continue to ask GOD’s blessings and that HE dwell “between each of our shoulders” as well as our minds, and our hearts. Pray that each of us do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with GOD (Micah 6:8). Pray we help shoulder each other’s burdens. (Galatians 6:2-4).
Remember, we all need to hear a WORD from the LORD. And, we must all shoulder the responsibility of being GOD’s living WORD in the world. So, square your shoulders. Lift HIM up----and be ye lifted up---today and every day in 2020! (Psalms 24:9)
Be strong. Be prayerful. BE BLESSED!
