Something special about Seven and the Lord's Mercy

Something special about Seven and the Lord’s Mercy

Take the depth of all the oceans on the earth in a collection of one entity there is room for all the sins we could ever commit.  Each time any of us commits a sin it could stand beside this vast array of water that has so much volume that equates space for that one sin to be lost within its hungry appetite.  A deep thought that can startle the human mind of any sin in its greatest irony of evil being lost in the mighty oceans of the world.  Yet, as God says; “For I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sins no more.”  (Heb 8: 12). 

Seven is not stated here but throughout the bible, especially the Old Testament, seven seems to be the one decipher that stands out when God’s people are about to find the Mercy of God in many different ways.  

Have you ever considered the number seven as it is used throughout the bible?  The very essence of Creation from the first story;  A continuum of each day where God completed the creation of our world.  On the sixth day God created man and was pleased with him.  “So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.”  (Gn 1: 31).

As Joshua was leading the Israelites towards the promised land they stopped at Jericho and feared the inhabitants who lived there.  God told Joshua to take all the soldiers and march around the city once a day for six days.  On the seventh day; march around the city seven times, and have the priests blow their horns.  When they gave a long blast on the ram’s horns and you hear that signal, all the people will shout aloud.  The wall of the city will collapse, and they will be able to make a frontal attack.”  Joshua followed the Lord’s command and they overtook the city.  (Joshua 6: 1 ff).  

“Naaman contracted the disease of Leprosy and coming to the house of Elisha was told to wash seven times in the Jordan and your flesh will heal, and you will be clean.”  Naathan was angry about this, but finally after his servants pleaded with him, Naaman went and plunged in the Jordan seven times and upon rising from the seventh time according to the man of God his flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”  (2 Kgs 5: 9 - 11, 14). 

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?  Up to seven times?”   Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”  (Mt 18: 21 - 35).   We must always be ready to forgive anyone who sins against us.

From the Book of Revelation we find everything pronouncing the wrath of God exemplified by seven elements.  The seven trumpets.  From the Scroll and the Lamb:  (Rev 5).  “When he broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.  And I saw that the seven angels who stood before God were given seven trumpets.”  (Rev 8: 1 - 2).

The seven bowls.  “I heard a loud voice speaking from the temple to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven bowls of God’s fury upon the earth.”  

Herein are the final payments brought about on the earth to the evil  through Antichrist, the false prophet, and the beast.  “After this I heard what sounded like the loud voice of a multitude in heaven, saying:  “Alleluia!  Salvation, glory, and might belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments.  He has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her harlotry.  He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”  (Rev 19: 1 - 2).  

We began the essence of God using seven as a way to bring about victories as his people moved through the Old and New Testaments and completed his wrath by destroying his enemies using the same number which means perfection.  This is God’s Mercy on his chosen and his wrath on those who wished to destroy his kingdom which we now will inherit.  

Ralph B. Hathaway