A FEW GOOD NUMBERS

Something struck me as I was reading today… I thought I would share just a tidbit with you. After all, I don’t want to overwhelm those casual readers… because this is just a drop in the bucket compared to the whole Book!

Numbers in the Bible? Oh, they’re way more than just for counting things. They show up for a reason, a purpose, and a message that goes beyond math class. You know, it’s funny how we often overlook these little details, but once you start looking into them, it’s like peeling back the layers of a mystery. The deeper you go, the more you see God's perfect order and divine plan unfolding in the numbers we encounter.

Let’s start with 6—oh, this one’s a biggie. The number of man. Why? Well, according to Genesis 1:26-31, it’s because humanity was created on the sixth day. That’s right, day six. After God spent five days creating everything else—light, sky, land, animals, and all the plants—He says, “Alright, time to create man in My image.” You might say, “Six is my number because I was made on the sixth day!” It’s cool, but here’s where it gets a little more interesting. Six is also the number that symbolizes our imperfection. Yeah, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. We were created in God’s image, but we’re still short of His divine perfection, which is why six comes just before seven—the number of perfection and completion.

But wait, the story doesn’t stop there. Remember 666 from Revelation 13:18? Oh, boy. The number of the beast, right? It’s not just a random number. It’s a deeper reflection of humanity's rebellion. The six is repeated three times to really drive the point home—this is humanity at its worst, at the height of imperfection. It’s almost like the Bible is saying, “Yeah, remember, without God, we fall far short. And without Him, things get pretty ugly.” So, six isn’t just a number, it’s a reflection of us, the way we fall short of the glory of God. It's a reminder that we need God to bring us into alignment with His perfect plan. I know, not the most flattering thing, but it’s the truth.

Now, let’s jump to three—this number is all over the place. The number 3 appears 467 times in the Bible. Three is like the number of completeness and unity. We see it in the most important thing ever: the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—three in one. That’s not by accident. The number three shows up time and time again throughout Scripture, always representing wholeness and divine unity. And, don’t forget, Yeshua’s resurrection after three days in the tomb? That’s not just a random period of time. Matthew 12:40 tells us that just as Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, so too would the Son of Man spend three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. It’s like a divine time lock—three days, three nights—a complete cycle before something huge happens: Victory over death! That’s God’s timing, perfectly set, perfectly fulfilled. The number three says, “God’s got this,” and He’s doing everything in perfect time.

Next up, we’ve got seven—a number that makes everything in Scripture feel so... well, complete. The number 7 appears 735 times in the Bible. Seven days of creation. God worked for six days, then on the seventh, He rested. (Genesis 2:2-3). This isn’t just about God needing a nap after creating the universe, although I’m sure He deserved one! It’s about perfection, divine completion, and the rhythm of creation. Seven is the number of rest and completion. And, let’s not forget, it shows up in Revelation. You’ve got the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls, all symbols of God’s perfect plan being revealed and fulfilled. Seven is like saying, “Here’s the perfect plan; it’s complete, it’s fulfilled, and there’s no room for anything else.”

And then there’s 12. The number 12 appears 187 times in the Bible. Twelve is the number of divine government and order. You’ve got the twelve tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:28) and the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:2-4). These groups aren’t just random; they’re God’s chosen representatives to show His authority and His plan. He didn’t just pick any number. Twelve is His number, His way of showing how His order and government are perfect, complete, and purposeful. Think about it—Jesus didn’t just randomly choose any number of disciples. He chose 12, representing His mission to Israel. Twelve isn’t just a number of people; it’s a number that shows God’s order and purpose. Everything is set in place.

Then we’ve got forty—now this one is all about testing and transformation. The number 40 appears 146 times in the Bible. You can’t miss it. Moses spent 40 days on the mountain (Exodus 24:18), the Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years (Numbers 14:33), and Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness before starting His ministry (Matthew 4:1-11). What’s up with 40? It’s a number that signals a season of testing, a time of change, and often, a new beginning. Think about it: after 40 years in the desert, the Israelites were ready to enter the Promised Land. After 40 days in the wilderness, Jesus was ready to start His mission. Forty is like a training camp, preparing us for something greater. It’s like God’s way of saying, “Get ready, I’m about to do something new, but first, let’s refine you a bit.”

Now, let’s not forget ten. The number 10 appears 242 times in the Bible. The number ten is the number of law and order. Think about the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) that God gave to Moses. These were not just rules to follow; they were a picture of God’s perfect standard for living. And those ten plagues in Egypt? They weren’t just a random series of events—they were a divine judgment showing that God is the ultimate authority, and He will bring justice. The number ten is a reminder of God's call to holiness and justice. It’s a way of saying, “Live the way I’ve commanded, or face the consequences.”

And finally, there’s 1,000. The number 1,000 appears 22 times in the Bible. This one’s about abundance and fulfillment. Remember Psalm 50:10, where it says, “For every animal of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills”? God owns it all. 1,000 isn’t just a large number; it’s a symbol of God’s boundless authority and the fullness of His kingdom. When we see 1,000 in Revelation (Revelation 20:2-7), it’s a picture of the complete and abundant fulfillment of God’s kingdom—nothing lacking, everything in its perfect place. 1,000 is like saying, “God’s got everything under control. He’s abundant, and He’s got more than enough for all of us.”

See? These numbers aren’t just random—they’re part of God’s divine plan and order, showing us His character and His work in the world. When we start paying attention to them, we can see His perfect timing, His perfect order, and His perfect will unfolding in every detail. Every time we see these numbers, it’s like God is whispering to us, saying, “I’ve got this. I’m in control, and everything is part of My perfect plan.”

But wait, there's even more!

Let’s talk about the number 4, which shows up 305 times in Scripture. The number four is often associated with creation, as in the four corners of the earth (Isaiah 11:12), or the four winds (Daniel 7:2). It's a number that represents God's control over the entire world. It’s the number of fullness in the natural realm, encompassing the whole earth. It's a reminder that God’s sovereignty reaches across the whole creation, from the four directions of the earth to the four seasons of the year, and even the four living creatures around His throne (Revelation 4:6-8). The number four represents stability, completeness, and the reality that God’s creation is perfect in all its aspects.

Let’s not forget the number 8—another interesting number that holds significance. Appearing 73 times in the Bible, 8 is associated with new beginnings and resurrection. After all, the eighth day was the day of circumcision for the Israelites (Leviticus 12:3), and it also marks the day of a new start, beyond the seven-day creation cycle. In a sense, the number 8 breaks into a new cycle, symbolizing resurrection, renewal, and new beginnings. Jesus was raised on the first day of the week, the eighth day after the start of the week. It’s a number that signifies life after death, a fresh start in God's divine plan.

Now, let’s talk about 40 again, because it’s one of those numbers that just keeps cropping up. The number 40 signifies a period of testing, trial, or preparation. This isn't just a biblical coincidence—it’s a number that calls for a deep reflection. After 40 days and nights of rain, the floodwaters of Noah's time receded, symbolizing the washing away of sin and a new beginning for humanity (Genesis 7:12). The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because they needed to be refined and prepared before entering the promised land (Numbers 14:34). Even in our own lives, sometimes we go through our own “forty-day or forty-year” journeys, times of struggle and purification before God ushers us into new purposes and missions.

There’s also the number 9, which often represents finality and divine completeness in judgment. Nine shows up 49 times in the Bible and is connected to the finality of a process. Jesus spoke from the cross at the ninth hour, as a sign of completing His redemptive work. Nine represents divine completeness, especially in a context where judgment or finality is involved. The fruit of the Spirit is also described in nine aspects, showing completeness in the spiritual life (Galatians 5:22-23). It’s like saying, “This is complete, this is finished.”

These numbers—and so many more—are packed with meaning, and when we open our eyes to them, we see God's divine order, His perfect plan for creation, and the unfolding story of redemption. It's not just a book full of numbers—it's a living testament to God's character, sovereignty, and His grand narrative that stretches through time. The more you dig into the numbers, the more you’ll see God's incredible work and how He intricately designed every part of His story.