He Has Taken Captive His Captives / The Arm of the LORD

36 x 48 inches
oil and wax and papers on canvas

7000.00

In this painting we see the heavens above and God whose “throne is the heavens,” Isaiah 66:1 (Acts 7: 49-50).
The LORD  rules as the injustice and the human condition play itself out on the earth. “The LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice,” Psalm 9:7.

The slash of gold leaf to the side of this ruling figure is repeated below. It symbolizes the Incarnation, and his sword of justice on earth as warrior King. His right arm is exposed, a crucial focal point.
“The arm of the LORD” is referenced many Scriptures.
“Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD! . . . Are You not the arm that cut Rahab apart, and wounded the serpent?” (Isaiah51:9). Psalm 44 and Isaiah 30:30, “The LORD will cause his majestic voice to be heard and the descending blow of his arm to be seen, in furious anger…”

The injustices on the earth as seen in the newsprint embedded to the right in this piece as well as the figures on the left, which reference the religious leaders who put Jesus to death, will one day be made right and those who pierced him will mourn.
“And I will pour on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced, Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son . . .” Zechariah 12:10. And in Revelation 1:7, “Behold He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him. And all tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.”

The blood of the crucifixion is central. It is through the sacrifice of Jesus, that the LORD takes captive his captives and give gifts to men. “You ascended on high, leading a host of captives in your train and receiving gifts among men…” Psalm 68:18

( See my blogpost about this painting.)

(Here is a LINK TO A VIDEO made by a visitor to my studio right after I painted this piece.