02/12/2020 S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G
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).