Seven, Seventh is a sacred number to the ancient Hebrew people. The word is used often in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible to symbolize perfection, fullness, abundance, rest and completion. This number was also considered holy or sacred by other cultures of the ancient world. The first mentioned of the number seven occurs in Genesis 2:2-3. God created the world in six days, but on the seventh day He rested from His work, setting aside the seventh day as holy. The fourth of the Ten Commandments states: 'Remember the Sabbath day [that is, the seventh day] to keep it holy.' - Ex. 20:8 -

The number seven also had a ritual importance to the Hebrews. Several of the religious acts of the Old Testament received a seven-fold repetition, for instance, the sprinkling of blood - Lev. 4:6 - or the dipping of Naaman the leper in the Jordan River. - 2Kings 5:10,14 - Periods of time composed of seven units are often used in the Old Testament. - Gen. 2:2; Dan. 9:25 - Within visions and dreams, the number seven often plays a prominent part. Pharaoh dreamed of two herds composed of seven animals each. These symbolized the seven years of famine and the seven years of plenty, as did the two groups of seven heads of grain. - Gen. 41:1-36 -

In the New Testament, Jesus cast seven demons out of Mary Magdalene and fed the 4,000 with seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. - Luke 8:2; Matt. 15:32-39 - The seven different utterances of Jesus while He hung on the cross:

( 1 ) "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." - Luke 23:34 - Jesus taught that we should forgive those who sin against us. How appropriate that His first words from the cross should be words of 'Forgiveness.'

( 2 ) "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." - Luke 23:43 - As He hung on the cross, Jesus certainly did not appear to be king. Yet, what faith and hope the repentant thief displayed when he asked, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." - Luke 23:42 - Jesus' reply was good news indeed to this dying sinner.

( 3 ) "Woman, this is your son" Then to his disciple he said, "This is your mother." And from that moment the disciple made a place for Mary in his home. - John 19:26-27 - In spite of His grief and pain, Jesus continued to think of others. His earthly father, Joseph, probably had died by this time. Jesus asked his beloved disciple, John, to take care of His mother, Mary.

( 4 ) "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?...My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" - Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34 - These words came from Jesus' lips about 3p.m. after He had hung on the cross for nine hours. Death was near, and Jesus was feeling the pain and loneliness that sin causes. But the sin in this case was our sin and not His. To express His anguish and grief, Jesus quoted the opening words of Psalms 22, using the same words that king David had used many years earlier. - Ps. 22:1 -

( 5 )  "I am thirsty!" - John 19:28 - The Old Testament had prophesied that Jesus would suffer for the sins of the world. In His death, that prophecy was being fulfilled. Jesus suffered spiritual torment as well as physical agony as He hung on the cross. His spirit thirsted to win the spiritual battle against evil while His body thirsted for water.

( 6 ) "It is accomplished!" - John 19:30 - This shows clearly that Jesus. victory has been achieved. It carries the understanding of perfection and fulfillment. God's plan of salvation had been accomplished through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

( 7 ) "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit." - Luke 23: 46; Mark 15:37; Matt. 27:50; Ps. 31:5 - Jesus did not die a failure. He died a victorious Saviour. He finished His work triumphantly and entrusted His spirit to God His Father.

The number seven appears frequently in the Book of Revelation too.

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -