I love to meet people – so I shake a lot of hands (and give a few hugs). I was curious how the handshake originated so I went to the source we all trust...the internet! According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, “This custom started in medieval times. The world was an unsavory place back then, and people often concealed weapons in their hands. The handshake was a way of affirming that neither you nor the person you were greeting was carrying anything intended to harm. Over time, it evolved into a polite greeting.” (www.almanac.com)
The internet may not be our most trustworthy source of info, although abundant; but the Bible is. And while the Bible doesn’t teach us much about the handshake, it does teach us a great deal on authority and submission. By God’s design, authority and submission were designed to go “hand in hand” so to speak. As we defined authority in last month’s column, the father on the beach set up his umbrella because his goal was to provide protection and blessing for his wife and child. Biblical authority is never about being obeyed, but finds it’s source in providing for the needs of those who reside under your authority. In this environment, ...
