2:15 the hand of the Lord was against them. The hand of the Lord was associated with the saving power of God (Ex. 3:20; 6:1; 13:3; Deut. 4:34). Now the same hand was turned against them in punishment. The Lord was faithful both to bless and to judge. When God rescues His people, He rescues them from their enemies as an act of grace. It is His own judgment that allows their enemies to prevail, and in rescuing them He must turn this judgment aside.