What Jesus’ tattoo says about you
Isaiah 49:16a
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…
This is a wonderful clause, part of a longer prophetic word which Isaiah delivered to the people of Israel during the time of the first exile. Although the word is directed to those people at that time of great distress, the verse overflows into our lives because God’s great love for his people never changes. And we are His people!
This passage in Isaiah 49 is a reminder to God’s people that even in a time of struggle, difficulty or distress that he still cares for and loves them. Isaiah reminds the people in verse 15 that God will never forget them:
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
The following verse is our study for today.
See
When we are going through a hard time our vision is usually and temporarily fixated on the mountain looming before us. It’s natural for our feelings and thinking to fixate on the pain or the problem. But Isaiah encouraged the people to ‘see’ another picture. He wants them to raise their eyes and see God instead of the issues of life encircling them. This spiritual skill is described in the Psalms as ‘lifting ones head’. This skill is crucial in testing moments. Seeing God and the opportunity at hand for his provision rather than to fixate on a depressing disposition attracts faith. In fact without this application of faith its impossible to see him. The ability to look up and trust God strengthens us each time we experience Him ‘coming through’ for us. This builds up a precious and personal record of rescue. It’s a wonderful thing.
I have engraved you
There are two verses in the Bible (that I know about) which hint at God having a tattoo. There is one in Revelation and this one. Jesus’ has a tattoo on his thigh and the Father has tattoos on his hands. The Hebrew word chaqaq1 means to literally “cut in” in to something. For instance one can “cut in” to a mountain dig out a dwelling or “cut in” to a wall to create a relief. The Law was “cut in” to stone tablets to remind the people of his precepts. But in this version, I believe His grace is “cut in” to his hands to reveal his heart of grace!
on the palm of my hands
So the Father has a tattoo on his hands. But what is engraved into his palms? The Father engraves, writes or tattoos your name on his hands. Your life and situation are permanently are permeant marks on the palms of the Fathers hands. This infers that whenever he does anything (when he uses his hands) he sees your name. This means that the Lord acts with us in mind whenever he does anything. He acts on our behalf. He not only knows the mountain we may be climbing but he rescues is at the right time with His mighty hands. And not the outside of the hands mind you — the gentle palms!
Application
1. Do you train yourself to “see” God in a time of difficulty or are you consumed with your present reality?
2. What does the Father’s tattoo say about you?
- chaqaq (2710) — to cut in, inscribe, decree ↩
