Shortness of hand is a common figure for powerlessness. The Lord asks whether he is unable to intervene in Israel’s situation and redeem them. It is a rhetorical question, expecting a negative reply. For God’s arm is not short; it is up for the task of redeeming. He confirms this when testifying to his complete power over nature (Isaiah 50:2–3). The reality is that the Lord is more than ready to restore his people to himself, if they will only admit their guilt and receive the deliverance that his mighty hand has procured for them.
1
2 Why, when I came, was there no man; why, when I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.