Saturday, March 27, 2010

The Number Seven

Weekend, March 27 & 28

The Number Seven

The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Psalm 12:6

Recommended Reading
Psalm 12


As we study the Bible, we can't help noticing the number seven holds a unique place in God's economy. It is mentioned 735 times in Scripture, and it conveys the idea of perfection. It was on the seventh day God rested from the creation, and in so doing created our week. Noah took clean beasts by sevens into the ark. Jacob served seven years each for Leah and Rachel. Egypt had seven years of both plenty and famine. The candlestick in the Tabernacle had seven branches, and the Jewish feasts were observed seven days.

Jesus told us to forgive our brothers seventy times seven, and He spoke seven last words on the cross. In John's Gospel, He performed seven signs and uttered seven "I Am" statements. Revelation gives us seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven years of tribulation.

It is possible to over-interpret biblical numerology, but it's hard to miss the number seven. It tells us that God is perfect, His word is faultless, and He wants to bring fullness of blessings to our lives--seven days a week.

The number seven is stamped on the times and seasons of Scripture, marking the spiritual perfection of the Divine Prophecies.
E. W. Bullinger

Read-Thru-the-Bible
1 Samuel 21:1-24:22
1 Samuel 25:1-27:12

Hat Tip:

David Jeremiah.org

1 comment:

GMpilot said...

Numerology, Christine? You??

There are also Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Dwarfs and Seven-Up: how do they fit in?

If Jesus' last seven words on the cross were “Into thy hands I commend my spirit”, that would be true.
“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me” is too long. John, however, says that Jesus' last words were “It is finished”--three words in number, not seven.

This, from a woman who suddenly got embarrassed about having her astrological sign in her profile, but finds the number 7 significant?

I'd add more, but I'm laughing too hard to hit the right keys...