Exodus 14:21-22 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. [New International Translation]
Exodus 14:26-27 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak, the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. [New International Translation]
Proverbs 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. [King James Translation]
Matthew 9:20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch the edge of HIS cloak, I will be healed.” JESUS turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” HE said, “your faith has healed you.” [New International Translation]
Summary
There are a number of people in the Bible who provide models for stretching. In Exodus 14, Moses stretches his hand over the sea twice. In the Hollywood version of the Israelites’ exodus from Egyptian slavery, the scene, although dramatic, probably lasts less than 15 minutes. In the Book of Exodus, scripture tells us that Moses’ first stretch over the sea lasted “all night.” All night long, there was a strong East wind blowing, but Moses “stretched on.” We can imagine the huge gale of winds, perhaps forcing Moses to shut his eyes, thus blinding or blurring his vision, and the gusts perhaps temporarily deafened his hearing. Perhaps Moses' own voice was drowned out by the sound of such a mighty wind. Yet despite the wind’s disorientation and not being able to see “what GOD was doing” or hear a clear answer as to “what was going on” or being able to ask GOD “how is all of this going to save us,” Moses kept his hand stretched out. He stretched out “a-l-l night l-o-n-g.” Moses outstretched hand was not about seeing (i.e., “seeing it for himself) or hearing (i.e., being given a clear explanation or) or “understanding” (i.e., getting an answer that made sense to him” Moses stretched his hand out in faith---FAITH IN THE LORD.
Once the first stretch occurred and the Israelites were on dry land after their crossing, the LORD told Moses to stretch out his hand again! Looking across and seeing the Egyptian army approaching with all its military might, Moses no doubt saw the fear in the eyes of the people, he certainly heard their wails of anger, fear, and desperation as the Israelite saw and heard the approaching army. And, Moses was already tired. Moses had already been tried, having been up all night, but when the LORD told Moses to stretch, Moses obeyed! Moses stretched out his hand again until “daybreak” ---another “long stretch.” And GOD honored Moses’ faithfulness.
The virtuous woman described in Proverbs also stretches her hand. Like Exodus, it is worth reading this Proverb carefully. The virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31 is industrious—she works with her hands (Verse 13). She is thrifty when it comes to food (Verse 14). She’s an early riser and a good household manager (Verse 15). She watches for bargains, she’s energetic, has a good business mind and know how to plant (Verse 16). She has an eye for clothing and manages her wardrobe (Verse24). She has strength and dignity and no one would ever call her “lazy,” because she doesn’t have time for laziness or idleness (Verse 27). Although she is not described as “having great riches” (and may even be poor herself compared to those with great wealth or those who have the luxury to idle their time), nevertheless she stretches out her hand to the poor and needy (verse 20).
If one looks carefully, Proverbs 31 also describes many of the qualities of 17th and 18th-century slave women in America. Many of these women picked cotton under torturous conditions on plantations, tended to children, managed side cabin gardens, made their own clothes and prepared meals for the household. Many of these women could say, as Langston Hughes states in his poem “Mother to Son,”
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor
Yet they would also say:
“I’se been a-climbin’ on, And reachin’ landin’s,”
In other words, these enslaved women and their progeny, like Harriet Tubman, Mary McLeod Bethune, Sojourner Truth, Alice Ball, Ella Ball, and others stretched out and gave, despite their own circumstances. They knew as if you are “tight” and don’t stretch out and open your hand, “nothing can go out,” but also “nothing can come in.” In other to “receive a blessing,” it was important to stretch by open your hands and your heart and give a blessing to others!
The woman in Matthew 9:20 also stretched. Despite twelve long years of cramps and bleeding and stiffness (being “stiffed and rejected from the temple to society”) the woman in Matthew Ch. 9 is a good example of why it is never too late to stretch. She is also an example that GOD is faithful if you stretch out in faith. GOD will “see you,” just as JESUS saw her, and HE can turn your situation around if you take a leap and stretch out on faith.
Yes, the Bible is a wonderful instruction manual on stretching!
STRETCHING AND FLEXIBILITY
Stretching is not the same as flexibility. Flexibility refers to the range of motion of a given joint. Stretching is an exercise that can increase flexibility. According to Michael Esco, PhD, in “Stretching and Flexibility, 7 Tips,” people often stretch incorrectly. According to Esco:
- Don’t bend down and touch your toes to stretch your legs before a run or hold your hands together behind your back to stretch your chest muscles before bench pressing.
These kinds of “static stretches” for “warm-ups” can hurt your performance or cause injury.
Why? Because muscles are like rubber bands because they both are elastic. If a rubber band is too stretchy, it won’t have a “pop.” Likewise, a muscle that is too elastic from stretching has to work harder to generate power and will be prone to injury from strain and being overtaxed. That is why static stretches should not be done as a warm-up but as a cool down when the muscles are already warm and less prone to injury. - The best way to warm up is to perform the dynamic movement. For example, if you are going to run or jog, start by walking and then increase your pace. If you plan to bench press, start with lighter weights (50%-70% lighter) and then build up to higher weights. If you want to stretch your leg muscles, do high knee marches or lunges. Arm circles, jumping jacks and skipping rope are other good dynamic warm-up exercises for warming up.
- Don’t bounce – According to Esco, bouncing stretches, where the body rocks back and forth in a bouncing motion is “a recipe for disaster.” These motions are difficult to control and not recommended for beginners or people recovering from an injury.
- Don’t bend down and touch your toes to stretch your legs before a run or hold your hands together behind your back to stretch your chest muscles before bench pressing.
See, “Stretching and Flexibility, 7 Tips, Expert Advice on how to stretch and stretching mistakes to avoid” by Michael Esco, PhD, https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/stretching-and-flexibility-tips#1
STRETCH YOUR FAITH
Both physical fitness and spiritual fitness require that we s-t-r-e-t-c-h. Remember, GOD is still THE LORD ALMIGHTY. HE still does thing “exceedingly,” “abundantly,” “beyond” and “above all” we ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20).
Keep S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G and BE BLESSED!
