Reading the Bible completely; from Genesis through Revelation, the reader will find that there is a pattern to the use of certain numbers; specifically 3, 7, 8 and 12. Most popularly known events on these numbers are; Jesus rose on the 3rd day, the Sabbath is the 7th day, Jesus appeared to His disciples on the 8th day and there were 12 disciples. Through this study, we will see that there are repetitive events that fall on these numbers that each holds a similar meaning in common. This was no coincidence. God is an “on-time God!”
3 is Purity, Testing, Warning and Restoration
7 is Completeness and Sanctification
8 is Consecration, Dedication and Fulfillment
12 is the Number God builds on
The repetitive use usually is something that initially happens that is also a shadow of something to come. The shadow may be one event or multiple events that hold a common thread.
3 IS PURITY, TESTING, WARNING AND RESTORATION
Life Sustaining Botanicals Created on the 3rd Day
On the third day, God pulled back the waters to expose dry tillable land for the planting of earth’s botanicals. Every green plant has been proven to provide the life sustaining element of oxygen. We have air to breath, because of the rain forests. It was on the third day of creation week; that God created the Biosphere that gives us air to breathe and food to eat. Jesus rose on the third day, He is our restoration; His blood purifies. The 3rd day resurrection was a test, sign or warning to the Pharisees.
Genesis 1:9-13 ESV And God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. (10) God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. (11) And God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth." And it was so. (12) The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (13) And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
Abraham Is Tested On The 3rd Day
We saw in the story of God requiring Abraham to sacrifice Isaac; that it was on the third day that he was to be sacrificed. On that day, the man through whom the lineage of Christ would come; was established. Through Abraham would come, the Savior. This would ultimately mean restoration for the righteous and doom for the wicked.
Genesis 22:2 & KJV And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 4) Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
Jacob Was Given A Three Day Head-start To Flee From Laban
Jacob had been horribly treated and swindled into bondage for twenty years by his father-in-law Laban. After the LORD spoke to Jacob and instructed him to return to the land of his fathers; God provided the perfect time for Jacob to escape. Laban went away to sheer his sheep. Jacob took all of his family, servants, belongings and livestock and fled. On the third day Laban was told what Jacob had done. God restored Jacob and freed him from Laban. Christ the Restorer is a shadow here on the 3rd day.
Genesis 31:22 KJV And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.
On The Third Day That Jacob’s Sons, Simeon And Levi Avenged Their Sister
Jacob had settle in the land of Shechem and made a covenant with Hamor the king. Hamor’s son Shechem dishonored the trust by raping Jacob’s daughter Dinah. In order to preserve the peace and make Israel and Shechem one people, all of the men of Shechem had to be circumcised. By the third day, all of the men of Shechem were sick with fever from infections. Simeon and Levi boldly went into the city and slew every man. Then they spoiled the city and carted off all of its wealth, livestock and all of the women. In this act; Dinah’s honor was restored. This was however against Jacob’s will and he was angered because all of the other inhabitants of the surrounding lands would hate them and could rise up against them in greater numbers. Once again, Christ the Restorer is a shadow here on the 3rd day
Genesis 34:24-29 KJV And unto Hamor and unto Shechem his son hearkened all that went out of the gate of his city; and every male was circumcised, all that went out of the gate of his city. (25) And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males. (26) And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out. (27) The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister. (28) They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field, (29) And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.
Jospeh Put His Brothers in Prison To Test Them For Three Days
Egypt’s famine reached Canaan and Jacob had to send his sons to Egypt to buy food and grain. They did not recognized their brother Joseph, even though he recognized them. He put them in prison in the effort to soften their hearts, but on the third day releases them, keeping only Simeon until they return with Benjamin. They were tested for three days and on the third day, they were released and restored.
Genesis 42:14-20 KJV And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies: (15) Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. (16) Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies. (17) And he put them all together into ward three days. (18) And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God: (19) If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: (20) But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
The Butler Restored On The 3rd Day
In the Story of Joseph, while he was in Pharaoh’s prison, God gave him the interpretation of two dreams of Pharaoh’s servants and the dreams came true. It was shown in those dreams that the Butler would be restored and the Baker would be hanged.
Genesis 40:9-13 KJV And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; (10) And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes: (11) And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand. (12) And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: (13) Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
Genesis 40:16-19 KJVWhen the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said unto Joseph, I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head: (17) And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head. (18) And Joseph answered and said, This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days: (19) Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
Genesis 40:21-22 KJV And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: (22) But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
The Children of Israel Were Tested In The Wilderness After 3 Days
Exodus 15:22-23 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the
wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. (23) And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
Children of Israel Were Purified To Meet The LORD On The Third Day At Sinai
Exodus 19:9-11 ESV And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever." When Moses told the words of the people to the LORD, (10) the LORD said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments (11) and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
Levitical Vow or Voluntary Sacrifices Burn on the Third Day
There were certain sacrifices that were unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried. These were to be eaten on day one and two, after being offered. These were eaten by the Priests. Unleavened bread and anything that was unleavened, symbolized Jesus Christ and His righteousness.
Leviticus 7:16-17 KJV But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten: (17) But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire.
The Third Day Is A Day Of Purification During Seven Days Of Uncleanness
When a man would touch the body of a dead person, they were unclean for seven days. On the third day, he was to purify himself with water and then remain unclean until the seventh day.
Numbers 19:11-13 KJV He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days. (12) He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he purify not himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean. (13) Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.
Jonathan Warned David on the third Day of Saul’s Intent to Kill David
David had perceived that Saul was seeking to kill him. He and Jonathan devised a plan to secretly warn David, if Jonathan could find out if it was true. Indeed it was and Jonathan warned David on the 3rd day.
1 Samuel 20:18-23 ESV Then Jonathan said to him, "Tomorrow is the new moon, and you will be missed, because your seat will be empty. (19) On the third day go down quickly to the place where you hid yourself when the matter was in hand, and remain beside the stone heap. (20) And I will shoot three arrows to the side of it, as though I shot at a mark. (21) And behold, I will send the young man, saying, 'Go, find the arrows.' If I say to the young man, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you, take them,' then you are to come, for, as the LORD lives, it is safe for you and there is no danger. (22) But if I say to the youth, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you,' then go, for the LORD has sent you away. (23) And as for the matter of which you and I have spoken, behold, the LORD is between you and me forever."
1 Samuel 20:30-31 ESV Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, "You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness? (31) For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die."
Jonah Was In the Belly Of The Big Fish For 3 Days And 3 Nights
God sent Jonah to Nineveh to warn them that they needed to repent of their wickedness or God was going to destroy them. Jonah refused to go and got on a boat to go to Tarshish. God caused a storm and the crew perceived that Jonah was the source of their misfortune. They threw Jonah overboard, where he was swallowed by a big fish. Jonah was in the belly of the great fish; for three days and three nights.
Jonah 1:17 KJV Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Salvation Came Through Jonah’s Warning To Nineveh On The Third Day
The city of Nineveh was a three days journey in breadth. It took Jonah three days to go from one end to the other to proclaim God’s message to repent. The people did and were saved. The entire city was marked by God for destruction; but now was saved.
Jonah 3:3 ESV So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth.
Jonah 3:5-8, 10 ESV And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. (6) The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. (7) And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, (8) but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.(10) When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
Salvation On The Third Day When Christ Rose From The Dead
When Jesus Christ was resurrected, salvation was secured for all who would believe on Him and be baptized. Salvation was secured for the righteous and damnation for the wicked, the unbelievers. This was secured on the third day.
Matthew 20:19 ESV and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day."
Three Times or Three Seasons; All Men Were To Appear Before God
There are also three festival seasons given to Israel. The seven Feasts of the LORD fall in three seasons when all men were to give a special offering. There are 7 annual Holy Days and 7 Annual Sabbaths; they will be discussed in detail in Part 2 of this study (To Post Tomorrow).
Deuteronomy 16:16 ESV "Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and at the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles). They shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed.
7 IS COMPLETENESS AND SANCTIFICATION
Seven is completion and the seventh is sanctified, set apart for Holy Use. There are seven days of creation and the seven day week; the seventh is the Sabbath and is sanctified. There are seven annual feasts of the LORD, given to Israel and seven annual Sabbaths. Israel was on a seven year agricultural system. The seventh year was a land Sabbath; a sanctified year when no crops were to be cultivated. Seven cycles of seven years was declared a time of restoration. It was the fiftieth year of Jubilee. All debts were forgiven every seven years; but after seven cycles of seven years; all property and land went back to the original owners. If grandpa lost the farm in a poker game, it was returned to his children and grandchildren. No one person would destroy his family’s inheritance. All would be restored. There are also seven weeks counted between Passover and Pentecost. Pentecost means count fifty, seven weeks of seven days counted the next day after a Sabbath (7th Year of Release; 7th Year Land Sabbath; 50th Year of Jubilee; will each be separate studies addressed later. The Seven Annual Holy Days and 7 Annual Sabbaths will be tomorrow’s post).
CREATION
Genesis 2:2-3 ESV And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. (3) So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
SABBATH
Exodus 20:8-11 ESV "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (9) Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, (10) but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. (11) For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
This study will continue with Salvation Revealed In The Old Testament: Part 2 – The Significance of God’s Festivals
8 CONSECRATES, DEDICATES &FULFILS
The number eight is used throughout the Bible starting with Abraham and God’s Covenant with Abraham and all males of his household, born or stranger among them; all were to be circumcised on the 8th Day. All male babies are to be circumcised on the 8th day; brought before the priest. This remains a custom among the Jews to this day. They call it, in Yiddish; bris milôh or bris for short; it means, "covenant of circumcision.” The Rabbi who performs this is called a mohel.
God ‘s Covenant With Abraham Of Circumcision on the 8th Day
Genesis 17:9-14 ESV And, God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. (10) This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. (11) You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. (12) He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, (13) both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. (14) Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant."
First Born Of The Livestock Are God’s On the 8th Day
Exodus 22:30-31 ESV You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me. (31) "You shall be consecrated to me..”
A Person Being Cleanse From A Skin Disease Is Purified On The 8th Day
The 7 days of purification are completed and fulfilled with offerings made on the 8th day.
Leviticus 14:10 “On the eighth day each person being purified must bring two male lambs and a one-year-old female lamb, all with no defects, along with a grain offering of six quarts[c] of choice flour moistened with olive oil, and a cup[d] of olive oil. 11 Then the officiating priest will present that person for purification, along with the offerings, before the Lord at the entrance of the Tabernacle.
Jesus, as a baby, was Circumcised and dedicated on the 8th Day
Luke 2:20-24 ESV And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (21) And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (22) And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (23) (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") (24) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
The 8th Day Of The Feast, That Great Day; “If Any Man Thirst…”
Jesus was keeping the Feast of Tabernacles and it was the Great Day of the Feast or the 8th Day when Jesus made this great statement.
John 7:2, 37-39 KJV Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. (37) In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (39) (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
The 8th Day Or Great Day Of The Feast Pictures The White Throne Judgment
The Feast of Tabernacles was a shadow of the millennial rule, the 1000 years of Christ’s reign upon His second coming. At the end of the 1000 years is the White Throne Judgment; the fulfillment of all things.
Revelation 20:11-13 KJV And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Jesus Appeared To His Disciples On The 8th Day After His Resurection.
John 20:26-29 KJV And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. (27) Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. (28) And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. (29) Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
GOD BUILDS ON THE NUMBER 12
There were twelve tribes of Israel upon which God build his nation Israel and there were twelve apostles on whom Christ built His church. The nation and the church, will be united as The Holy Nation of priests in New Jerusalem; The Holy City.
Revelation 21:2-3, 12 & 14 ESV And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (12) It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed—(14) And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, your WORD is truth. You have revealed yourself in many ways. Help me to understand your plan for salvation and to share it with all, in Jesus’ name, AMEN.
Copyright © 2006, 2011 Thomas C. Blake
Copyright © 2006, 2011 Thomas C. Blake
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