Part Two: 

Very interesting information about how God uses everyday numbers to show us how to understand Him, the world we live in, the world of the future.  I have pasted it here without the photos, for easy read.

 http://free.messianicbible.com/feature/astonishing-bible-number-patterns-decoded-the-numbers-8-to-12/?t=Biblical%20numerology

Astonishing Bible Number Patterns Decoded: Numbers 8 to 12

 

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  (Psalm 90:12)

In our study of Scripture, we might notice the frequency with which certain numbers occur.  Their appearance does not seem coincidental.

In Hebrew, letters of the alphabet have numerical values, such as 6-15 above.

Although numbers for the most part are considered mundane, in Judaism numbers are linked with the universal truths of the Torah (first five books of the Bible).  Still, the pattern of numbers in the Torah continues in the writings of the Prophets and the Brit Chadashah (New Testament).

In an earlier Messianic Prophecy Bible feature, we discussed the numbers 1 through 7, describing their significance in the Bible and Jewish thought.

Several of our readers have expressed interest in this subject, and in this feature, we will examine 8-12.

Please note that although some numbers in the Bible do hold great significance, and in Judaism are regarded as representing spiritual forces that mold reality (Chabad), they are not to be treated as having magical powers.  That is not God’s intent in providing us with these numerical patterns.

To properly interpret the Scriptures, however, we must examine the literal as well as symbolic, which includes Biblical numerology.

Shemonah (שְׁמֹנֶה or ח / Eight)

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”  (Proverbs 24:16)

For instance, there are seven days in a week, seven years in the Shemitah cycle, and the seventh day of the week, the Shabbat, which symbolizes the sanctification of the natural world.  (Jewish Wisdom in the Numbers)

The number 8 (Shemonah), of course, comes after 7, hinting at the reality that is above the natural order and its limitations.

Shemonah (שְׁמֹנֶה) relates to shooman (שׁוּמָן) or fat, conveying the idea of having more than enough.  A related word is the Biblical word for oil, שֶׁמֶן (shemen), and so we see during Hanukkah that a single-day supply of oil defied the laws of nature and miraculously lasted eight days until more sanctified oil could be created for the Temple menorah.
 
In Judaism, 8 is the number of transcendence.

It symbolizes rising above the limitations of the physical realm, living extraordinary lives that do not conform to the natural order.  We can look at it as symbolizing our citizenship in Heaven, living in the world, but not truly belonging to it.

Those who are in covenant with God can rise above the laws of nature.  This reality is meant to infuse and permeate our natural environment, not separate us from it.

For example, the eighth-day covenant of circumcision binds the Jewish person to God.  This covenant reveals that the Jew is a servant of God and not nature, confirming this idea of transcendence.
In Hebrew, this is called brit milah (covenant of circumcision).

God Renews His Promises to Abraham

The brit milah serves as a physical sign in the flesh that Jews are the people of God and that we have a special covenantal relationship with Him.  We serve Him both in the spiritual and physical realms.

God made a covenant of circumcision with the Jewish People through the patriarch Abraham.  On the eighth day, God said that every male child, “whether born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner, they must be circumcised.”  (Genesis 17:13)

This command to circumcise the male offspring originates in the book of Genesis.  God appeared to Abraham when he was 99 years old and told him to circumcise himself, his 13-year-old son Ishmael, and all the men of his household.

“For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised.  …  My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant.  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.”  (Genesis 17:12-14)

The enactment of this covenant on the eighth day is so important that it is performed even if it falls on Shabbat or a holiday, including Yom Kippur.

The number 8 has several connections to the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and the Kodesh HaKodashim (Holy of Holies).  Of course, if there is any place that God instituted on this earth where the laws of the natural realm were to be transcended, it is in His dwelling place.

Therefore, in Leviticus 9:1–11:47, which is the Torah reading of Parasha Shemini (Eighth), we read that one year following the Exodus from Egypt, the inauguration of the Tabernacle took place on the eighth day, following seven days of preparation.  On the eighth day, the Lord’s Shekhinah came down and rested on the Mishkan so that His Divine Presence dwelled amid the Jewish People.

This eighth day speaks, perhaps, to the Israelites having reached a new height of spirituality and relationship with God, in which they embraced the fact that life is more than needs and wants.  It underscores that we must prepare and reach higher than the natural realm to transcend it and achieve the destiny for which we were created.

Shemonah (8) also has significance in connection with the celebration of the Temple service on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) when the High Priest (Kohen Gadol) was allowed to enter the Kodesh HaKodashim.
Included in the service was the sprinkling of blood: once upon the ark cover and seven times before the ark cover.  This made a total of eight sprinklings instead of the usual seven.  If this was not performed correctly the High Priest risked death.

This number also relates to the specific garments worn by the priests and the High Priest when ministering in the Temple.  Four of these were common to all priests while an additional four were unique to the High Priest, making eight in all.

“And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for dignity and for beauty.”  (Exodus 28:2)

The following vestments were common to all priests:

1. The michnasayim (linen pants), which reached from the waist to the knees.
2. The ketonet (priestly tunic), which covered the entire body.
3. The avnet (priestly sash), with the common priests wearing white while the High Priest’s was embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet threads.
4. The mitznefet (priestly turban), with the High Priest’s being larger and bearing a golden plate with the words “Holiness unto YHWH.”

Those vestments unique to the High Priest were as follows:

5. The me’il (priestly robe), which was sleeveless, blue in color, fringed with small golden bells from the lower hem alternating with pomegranate-shaped tassels.
6. The ephod (an embroidered vest), which has two engraved onyx gemstones on the shoulders, on which names of the tribes of Israel were engraved.
7. The hoshen (priestly breastplate) that had 12 gems, each one with the name of a tribe.
8. A pouch containing the Urim and Thummim fastened to the ephod.

Among other Temple items bearing a connection to 8 are the sacrificial offerings.  An animal could only be accepted as an offering from the eighth day onward.

“When a calf, a lamb or a goat is born, it is to remain with its mother for seven days.  From the eighth day on, it will be acceptable as a food offering presented to the Lord.”  (Leviticus 22:27)

As well, Ezekiel states that atonement was to be made for the altar for seven days, and then from the eighth day forward, the priest could offer the burnt offerings.

“‘For seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and purify it; so shall they consecrate it.  When they have completed the days, it shall be that on the eighth day and onward, the priests shall offer your burnt offerings on the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you,’ declares the Lord God.”  (Ezekiel 43:26–27)
 

Just as the week is seven days long, and the eighth day is the start of a new week, the number eight can also be viewed as the number of new beginnings, renewal, and perhaps, salvation.

For example, there were eight people (four men and four women) on the ark who survived the flood and repopulated the earth (Genesis 7:13, 23).

As well, David, who was the eighth son of Jesse, gave the kingship a new beginning for Israel.  But David speaks of an even greater new beginning that comes through his seed to the King of Kings: Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).

In Jewish tradition, the Messianic Era will happen in the seventh millennium, the universal era of rest.  This will be followed by an eighth millennium: Olam Ha-ba (the World to Come), a time when the physical reality of this world will be transformed by Divine reality.

 
Because there are nine months of gestation, the number nine is associated with development and hidden goodness.

 

Tisha (תֵּשַׁע or ט / Nine)

The use of nine in Scripture is fairly rare.  The first use of the Hebrew word for nine—תשע, tisha, is found in Parasha Bereisheet:
 “And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.”  (Genesis 5:5)

In Galatians 5:22–23, Paul speaks of nine fruits of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

1 Corinthians 12:7–10 lists nine gifts of the Spirit:  word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

Tisha (תֵּשַׁע) is derived from the root sha’ah, which means turning or facing.  So nine, rather than being characterized as a final destination, can symbolize development (as in the nine months of human gestation) or turning toward something greater.

It is represented by the ninth letter of the Hebrew alphabet ט (tet), which has an inverted appearance that is thought to suggest hidden goodness, much like those who believe in Messiah carry God’s goodness inside them through the infilling of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).

The letter tet has a connection to creation as it first appears in Genesis 1:4 in the word tov, regularly translated good, but better translated perhaps as beneficial.

“God saw that the light was good [tov], and He separated the light from the darkness.”  (Genesis 1:4)

Yeshua Foretells the Destruction of the Temple, by James Tissot

In the Talmud (the rabbinical book of learning and discussion of the Torah), Rabbi Joshua says that one who sees the letter tet in a dream may consider it as a sign of beneficence, since it is the first letter of the word tov.  (Baba Kama 55a)

But nine can also symbolize damaged relationships, turning away from one another, and judgment, caused by turning away from God.

Perhaps nowhere in Judaism is this turning away from God and the subsequent judgment more evident than in Tisha B’Av (9th of Av), the most tragic date on the Jewish calendar.

On this day many calamities befell Israel, including the Jewish People being led into exile by the Babylonians during the time of the First Temple, and by the Romans during the time of the Second Temple.

And although the Jewish People remember this day of destruction through fasting, they also pray that this day will become a Yom Tov (Good Day) when peace will reign throughout the earth, as Zechariah prophesied:

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘The fasts of the fourth, fifth [Tisha B’Av], seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.’”  (Zechariah 8:19)

It is common for Orthodox Jews today to practice ma’aser kesafim, tithing 10% of their income to charity.

Eser (עֶשֶׂר or י / Ten)

The number 10 is a very significant number in the Bible.  The word eser (עֶשֶׂר) is almost identical in Hebrew spelling to osher (עֹ֫שֶׁר) meaning wealth, which gives this word a strong link to the tithe, the tenth part that is dedicated to God.

The original meaning of the word is thought by some to be gathering, collection or union.

In rabbinic thought, 10 relates to an integrated system: a full set of individual parts combined to make up a communal whole, typifying holiness and the resting place of the Shekhinah, the presence of God.

It is considered the number of divine perfection.  Much in Scripture and Jewish tradition also suggests the meaning of eser to be completion and perhaps order, law and responsibility.
Consider, for instance, the following:

• 10 things were created on the first day of creation, and ten things were created on the sixth and final day of creation.
• 10 generations passed from Adam to Noah and ten generations from Noah to Abraham.
• 10 plagues went forth in Egypt before God freed the Hebrews from their enslavement.
• 10 commandments were given by God on Sinai.  (Exodus 20:1–17)

Moses and the Ten Commandments, by James Tissot

• On the 10th of the first month, the Passover lamb was selected.  (Exodus 12:3)
• 10 times 10 silver sockets formed the foundation of the Tabernacle.  (Exodus 38:27)
• The 10th (tithe) is holy to the Lord.
• 10 days of Awe or Repentance fall between Rosh Hashanah (the Festival of Trumpets on Tishri 1) and the holiest day of the year on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement on Tishri 10).  During this period, we seek forgiveness for our sins from God and man, as well as wisdom as to how we might lead better lives.
• 10 toes in Daniel 2 and 10 horns in Revelation 13 and 17 symbolize the final ruling kingdom of man.
• Daniel and his three friends were 10 times better than the magicians and astrologers (Daniel 1:20).

“And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.”  (Daniel 1:20)

A spontaneous minyan forms for Maariv (evening prayer) at a shop in Jaffa, Israel.

• 10 men are necessary to form a quorum for Jewish group prayer and worship, indicating a communal whole.  In Hebrew this is called a minyan and it comes from the Hebrew root maneh (מנה), meaning to count or to number.
• 10 assembled Jews creates a unity called Knesset Yisrael (Congregation of Israel), and 10 are required to be present when something is to be publicly witnessed.  This gathering of 10 is called a tzibbur.  Perhaps that is part of the reason why the evil report of the 10 spies, who failed to see God’s power and provision, held more weight than the report of Joshua and Caleb:

“And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, ‘The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature.’”  (Numbers 13:32)

• 10 lepers cried out to Yeshua (Jesus) for healing, and He sent them to the priests in order that they could be declared clean.

“As He was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met Him.  They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, ‘Yeshua, Master, have pity on us!’  When He saw them, He said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’  And as they went, they were cleansed.”  (Luke 17:12–14)

• In John, Yeshua underlined the pattern of ten found in the Bible by progressively making 10 “I Am” declarations:

1. I am the Bread of Life (6:35, 48);
2. I am the Bread that came down from heaven (6:41);
3. I am the Living Bread (6:51);
4. I am the Light of the world (8:12);
5. I am One that bears witness of Myself (8:18);
6. Before Abraham was, I am (8:58);
7. I am the Door of the sheep (10:7, 9);
8. I am the Good Shepherd (10:14);
9. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (14:6); and
10. I am the True Vine (15:1, 5). 

Echad Eser (אחד עשר or יא / Eleven)

“Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.”  (Acts 1:26)

The number eleven, which occurs a few times in Scripture and Judaism, is the number of disorder, imperfection, incompleteness and perhaps excess, since it is one more than 10, the number of divine perfection, and one less than 12, the number of governmental perfection.

For instance, after Judas removed himself from Yeshua’s group of talmidim (disciples) by betraying Yeshua and then committing suicide, it was necessary to replace him since the 12 disciples represented the 12 tribes of Israel.  Without him, there were only 11.

Having only 11 talmidim left the group in a state of incompleteness.  To solve this dilemma, two men were nominated to take over the apostolic ministry of Judas: Joseph called Barsabbas (Justus) and Matthias.

After prayer, they cast lots, and Matthias “was added to the eleven apostles.”  (Acts 1:26)

Also, in Deuteronomy 1:2, the children of Israel are on the east side of the Jordan, having made an 11-day trip from Mount Sinai.  Because of disorder in the camp, however, what could have been a 12-day journey into the Holy Land turned into a 40-year trek.

The number 11 seems to characterize disorder in Jacob’s life as well.  In Genesis 32:22, he returned with his 11 sons to Canaan to confront Esau.  With the birth of Benjamin there were 12 sons, but when Joseph’s brothers sold him to slave traders, the number returned to 11.

Shnayim-Eser (שְׁנֵים-עָשָׂר or יב / Twelve)

“It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates.  On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.”  (Revelation 21:12)

The number 12, which is one of the numbers symbolizing perfection, is unmistakably important in Scripture.

It appears throughout the Tanakh (Old Covenant) and the Brit Chadashah (New Covenant).
In Judaism, this number symbolizes totality, wholeness, and the completion of God’s purpose.  It is considered the number of governmental perfection as it symbolizes God’s power and authority.
Here are some places in Scripture in which the number is seen:

• Jacob (Israel) had 12 sons (Genesis 35:22–27), each of whom became the founder of one of the 12 tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:28; Numbers 33:54; 36:3–9).
• In Numbers 1:2–16, God selected 12 men to conduct a census of the tribes.
• In Numbers 7:10–83, 12 princes of Israel brought gifts over 12 days to the Sanctuary for the dedication of the altar.

“The total number of animals for the burnt offering came to twelve young bulls, twelve rams and twelve male lambs a year old, together with their grain offering.  Twelve male goats were used for the sin offering.”  (Numbers 7:87)

A depiction of offerings made at the Jewish Temple (YouTube capture: Temple Institute)

• In the Tabernacle, there were 12 loaves of showbread (לֶחֶם פָּנִים).  As well, on the High Priest’s breastplate, there are 12 stones, each representing a tribe of Israel.
• There were 24 classes of priests and Levites (1 Chronicles 24:4) which is a multiple of 12, and 48 Levitical cities (Numbers 35:7), which is also a multiple of 12.
• The Land of Israel was divided into 12 parts.
• Elijah used 12 stones to build an altar on Mount Carmel.
• Luke 2:42–49 records the first words of Yeshua.  He was 12 years old.
• Yeshua selected 12 apostles (Matthew 10:2–4) to bear witness of Him.  They became the founders of the earliest assemblies of Believers.

The number 12 is also linked to the concept of time; for example, the ancient Israelites marked 12 lunar cycles representing the 12 lunar months of the year.  They divided the day and the night into 12-hour periods.

In the Book of Revelation, the number 12 is connected to the salvation of God’s people.  There are 24 elders around the throne of God and 144,000 Jewish Believers in Yeshua, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes (Revelation 4:4, 7:4).

This number is also connected to the idea of borders.  The perfection, symmetry and borders of the new Jerusalem are seen in its 12 gates, each in the form of “a single pearl,” and its 12 foundations, each lined with jewels.  Its circumference is 12,000 furlongs, and its walls are 144 cubits high, again multiples of the number 12.  (Revelation 21:10–21; Ezekiel 48:30–35)

Discovering messages from God in numbers 1-7

 Very interesting information about how God uses everyday numbers to show us how to understand Him, the world we live in, the world of the future.  I have pasted it here without the photos, for easy read.

Copied from http://free.messianicbible.com/feature/numbers-scripture-illuminate-bible-truth/#overlay

Discover How Numbers 1-7 in Scripture Illuminate Bible Truth

In Hebrew, numbers are represented by the corresponding letters of the alphabet, such as in numbers 1-10 above.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  (Psalm 90:12)

While numbers are mundane to most people, in Judaism they have a personality and metaphysical meaning; they help reveal the universal truths of the Torah (first five books of the Bible), as well as the writings of the Prophets and Yeshua’s disciples.

Indeed, many people notice when they are reading Scripture that certain numbers show up frequently, and their appearance does not seem coincidental.
While it is important to recognize that numbers are significant in the Bible, they are not magical.
Rightly interpreting the Scriptures requires literal as well as symbolic understanding of Biblical numerology.  Still, this understanding needs to be combined with sound interpretation procedures and is not to be used as witchcraft or fortunetelling.
Here is a brief synopsis of the numbers 1 to 7 in the Bible, and how they are viewed in Judaism, by some Bible scholars today, and by the early Jewish Believers.

Echad (אֶחָד or א / One, First)

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called.”  (Ephesians 4:4)

As a number, 1 is unique in the fact that it is the only number that can be multiplied or divided by itself and remain unchanged; for instance, when one is divided by one, the answer is one.

1 x 1 = 1

1 / 1 = 1

From the Jewish understanding, like the number 1, God is indivisible.
The unique properties of the number 1 reflect God’s unchanging Unity or Oneness.


That unique Oneness and Singularity is proclaimed at least twice daily by observant Jews through the Schema, the eternal declaration of Jewish faith:

“Hear, O Israel:  The Lord our God, the Lord is Echad [One].”  (Deuteronomy 6:1)

This oneness or echad of God is a complex unity.  For instance, the Word is one with God (John 1:1).
That Word then became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).  And Yeshua, who is the Word in flesh, declared, “I and the Father are one.”  (John 10:30)

Echad has a special place in Judaism.

“The number 1 is an underlying feature of Jewish life:  ‘The other nations have many rites, many clergy, and many houses of worship.  We, the Jewish people, have but 1 G-d, 1 Ark, 1 Altar, and 1 High Priest.’  That is why the whole Torah was given by 1 Shepherd (G-d) and taught by 1 leader (Moshe),” states author Osher Chaim Levene.  (Jewish Wisdom in the Numbers)

Although, echad does mean singleness or singularity, it also means first, and this meaning is seen in the Bible in many verses:

“There was evening, and there was morning—the First Day [yom echad / Sunday].”  (Genesis 1:15)

The idea of first also holds a special importance in Scripture, as is seen in the sanctification of the Firstfruits (Bikkurim), which were given to the Kohen (priest), as well as the sanctification of the firstborn animal and the firstborn son.

“Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.”  (Exodus 34:26)

“Consecrate to Me every firstborn male.  The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, whether human or animal.”  (Exodus 13:2)

In Exodus 4:22, Israel is referred to as God’s firstborn son.

The concept of first is also emphasized in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament), where Yeshua is called the firstborn from the dead, as well as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

“Messiah has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”  (1 Corinthians 15:20; see also Revelation 1:5 and Acts 26:23)

First relates to the beginning, which is the first word of the Bible, bereisheet (in the beginning).  The root of this word is rosh, which means head.

Just as God is the beginning and is holy, the first is related to holiness.  What comes first sets the stage or the pattern for that which follows.

Colossians 1:18 ties all of these concepts together in Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).

“Messiah is also the head of the assembly, which is His body.  He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead.  So He is first in everything.”  (Colossians 1:18)

Shnayim (שְׁנַיִם or ב / Two)

“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit.”  (2 Kings 2:9)

The Hebrew number 2, shnayim, relates to God’s creation, since the Hebrew letter Bet is the first letter of the word bereisheet (in the beginning), the first word of the Torah and the creation narrative.

Bet is more than a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, it is also the number 2.  (Hebrew letters are also numbers.)

Two means union, division, and witnessing.  It is also means double and is associated with the double portion.

In the Bible, we see shnayim in the two tablets of the Covenant, the double portion of manna on the sixth day, and the idea of counterparts and pairs, such as God’s creation of both male and female or the sending out of the disciples in pairs (Luke 10:1).

In Deuteronomy 19:15, the number 2 is associated with witness as in the requirement of two witnesses in legal matters.

Two is also associated with blessing since in creation itself, God poured out a bounty of blessings into the earth.  As well, creation brought about the possibility of relationship because God created man to be in relationship with Him and with each other.

We can see the possibility of union that two brings in the covenant of marriage, where two become one flesh.  (Genesis 2:24)

The idea of division is also associated with two since on Day Two (Yom Sheni [Monday]) God divided the waters to form the Heavens above and the oceans below.

Indeed, two represents the possibility of separation due to conflict and sin.

The duality of union and division belonging to the number 2 is perhaps best reflected in the fact that although humankind was created to be in relationship with God, people can either be united with God through holiness or separated from Him through sin.

For a relationship to be true, there must be the freedom to choose to be in the relationship, and people can either choose to be in relationship with their Creator or to be in rebellion against Him.

Of course, sin separates all of us from God, and Yeshua makes it possible to be reconciled with our Heavenly Father.  (Ephesians 2:16) 

Moreover, He makes it possible for Believers everywhere to be in union with Him.

“I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one—I in them and You in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.”  (John 17:22–23)

Shlosha (שְׁלוֹשָׁה or ג / Three)

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

Three connotes equilibrium or stability, continuity and permanence.  It is considered the number of Divine completeness or perfection.

This number shows up frequently in Scripture and in Jewish life.

In Exodus 34:6, God is ascribed the three attributes of channun (gracious), rachum (compassionate / merciful), and chesed (loving kindness).

The Seraphim (six-winged angelic beings) praise God with a triple invocation that emphasizes God’s perfect holiness, crying “Holy, Holy, Holy.”  (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8)

In the Priestly Blessing (Numbers 6:24–26), God’s covenant name (YHVH) appears three times—an indication perhaps of its completeness and perfection.  God is also mentioned three times in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4–9).  

The earth was separated from the waters on the Third Day (Yom Shelishi [Tuesday]).  (Genesis 1:9–13)

As a mark of stability or a perfect foundation, Israel has three founding fathers (Avos):  The Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The Bible specifies three Pilgrimage Festivals (Shelosh Regalim), the three times the Jewish People are obligated to go to Jerusalem bringing at least three offerings:  Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost or the Feast of Weeks), and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles).

These three holidays, which commemorate the Exodus from Egypt, the giving of the Torah, as well as the wilderness booths and the Cloud of Glory, are more than history lessons; they bring spiritual illumination about the identity of the Messiah.

As well, these three festivals are said to relate to the perfect foundation of the Avos:  Abraham to Pesach through the baking of cakes for his guests; Isaac to Pentecost through Sinai’s shofar and Isaac’s ram in the thicket; and Jacob to Sukkot through booths made for his flocks (Genesis 33:17).

 Three is also linked to salvation.

Abraham journeyed three days to Mount Moriah in obedience to God’s command that he sacrifice his promised son (Genesis 22:1–4).  To raise the son of the widow of Zarephat (1 Kings 17:21), Elijah stretched himself out three times over the body.  Jonah spent three days and nights in the belly of a whale (Jonah 1:17).

Esther fasted three days and three nights in preparation to save the Jewish People from certain annihilation.
And Yeshua (Jesus) was raised from the dead on the third day.

Arba’a (אַרְבָּעָה  or ד / Four)

“After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.”  (Revelation 7:1)

The number 4 is connected to the number 2 through its basic mathematical properties: 2+2=4 and 2×2=4.  The number 4, therefore, is related to creation, the physical realm, the earth, and the four seasons.
In the Bible, we see a connection between four and the earth through the fourth commandment, which is the first commandment that mentions the earth.  As well, the fourth clause of the Lord’s Prayer is the first to mention the earth.
 
This number relates to the ideas of place and space, in terms of the physical, as is evident in Daniel 7:3, which speaks of four earthly kingdoms, and Isaiah 11:12, which promises that God will gather the dispersed of Israel from the four corners of the earth.

The Land of Israel was the Chosen People’s designated place.
Redemption involves being returned to one’s rightful place, and the return of the Chosen People is necessary for redemption and fulfillment of their destiny as a nation.

Israeli children plant trees in the Holy Land.

Four also appears in the Bible as the four rivers of Eden; the four divisions of three tribes each surrounding the Mishkan HaKodesh, the holy Tabernacle in the desert (Numbers 2:1–31); four cherubim; four living creatures surrounding the throne (Revelation 4:6, 7:11 ); and the four tassels on the corner of the garment or tallit (prayer shawl).

As well, the Jewish People have four Mothers (Imahos): the Matriarchs Sarah, Rebekah, Leah and Rachel.

Hamisha (חֲמִשָׁה  or ה / Five)

“To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites, collect five shekels for each one.”  (Numbers 3:46–47)

The number 5 is the number of redemption, Divine grace, and God’s goodness.

In Number in Scripture, E. W. Bullinger states, “If four is the number of the world, then it represents man’s weakness, and helplessness, and vanity….  But four plus one (4+1=5) is significance of Divine strength added to and made perfect in weakness; of omnipotence combined with the impotence of earth; of Divine favor uninfluenced and invincible.”  (p. 135)

In Jewish Wisdom in Hebrew Numbers, Levene states, “The Exodus was the epitome of the redemption process.  G-d’s appointment of Moshe to redeem the Children of Israel came when Moshe took 5 places to turn toward the 5-leaved burning bush, whose location was actually at the site of Mount Sinai, which has a total of five different names.  Indeed, this set into motion the salvation of Israel in the merit of 5 people Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Moshe, and Aharon.”  (p. 89)

“Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.”  (Psalm 41:13)

God did not only reveal Himself through Creation.  He revealed Himself through the Word.
Therefore, in the Bible, 5 is associated with the five Books of Moses, through which God revealed His will to Israel and the world.  As well, the Ten Commandments were written on two tablets, five commandments on each tablet.

The number 5 has also been associated with sacred architecture (1 Kings 7:39, 49), as well as the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:17) and grace.
Each of us have been empowered to use what we have received by grace from God and expand upon it through hard work and faith:

The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five.  “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with five bags of gold.  See, I have gained five more.”  His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master’s happiness!”  (Matthew 25:20–21)

Shisha (שִׁשָּׁה or ו / Six)

“Six days you shall labor and do all your work.”  (Deuteronomy 5:13)

The number 6 symbolizes the natural world, man, and the six directions of the physical realm (forward, backward, left, right, up, and down).  (Jewish Wisdom in the Numbers)

Scripture reveals that God created the natural world in six days and then rested on the seventh, so this number reflects physical completion.

In the same way that God completed His work of creation in six days, people have six days of activity in the week to leave their mark on the world, and are to rest on the seventh, in honor of the Creator of the Universe.

Six has been called the number of man, since Adam and Eve were created on the sixth day and the sixth commandment forbids murder.

The number 6 is considered as the path to the holiness represented in the number 7.  If human activities are not sanctioned by God, and not directed toward the final destination of the World to Come, then they are inconsequential.  (Jewish Wisdom, p. 106)

Sheva (שִׁבְעַה or ז / Seven)

“The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.”  (Psalm 12:6)

The number 7 is so prominent in Scripture that even scholars who do not give much weight to Biblical numerology recognize its importance.

Seven is the Divine number of completion, fullness, and spiritual perfection, typifying holiness and sanctification.

Seven is such a favorite number in Judaism, in fact, that the Midrash (Rabbinic literature) states, “All sevens are beloved.”  (Vayikra Rabbah 29:9)

Sheva (seven) shares the root (Shin-Bet-Ayin) with oath (shevua) and, therefore, is related to commitment.

From this same root is the word for full or complete, and a related word for satisfied.

Israeli secular school children celebrate the Jewish holiday of Shavuot (Feast of Weeks), which commemorates the harvest, the Day of the Firstfruits, and the day the Torah was traditionally revealed by God to the Israelites.

Seven is strongly associated with completion and rest through the Shabbat (seventh day) and other complete cycles of time.

The seventh sabbatical year or Shmita (seventh year in which the soil is allowed to rest), is still being practiced in Israel.

Both the Shabbat and the Shemita highlight six mundane units of time followed by one holy unit of time.  Both the seventh day and the seventh year are given a special sanctity.

As well, Leviticus 23:1–44 outlines seven annual holy Feasts of the Lord:  Pesach (Passover), Chag HaMotzi (Feast of Unleavened Bread), Yom HaBikkurim (First Fruits), Shavuot (Pentecost), Yom Teruah (Trumpets), and Sukkot (Booths).

Passover’s Four Cups of wine and the matzot of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

The holiness and perfection of the Tabernacle is reflected in its seven furnishings: the Bronze Sacrificial Altar, Bronze Laver, Golden Menorah, Golden Table of the Bread of the Presence (Showbread), Golden Altar of Incense, Ark of the Covenant, and the Mercy-seat/ Seat of Atonement.

The Temple Menorah itself had seven branches, which have a connection to the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), since in the Messianic Prophecy of Isaiah 11:2, the Light of the World, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah), is described as having the seven gifts of the Ruach HaKodesh.

According to Rabbinic Judaism, all men are bound by the seven Noahide laws: the prohibition of idolatry, murder, theft, sexual immorality, blasphemy, eating flesh taken from an animal while it is still alive, and the requirement of maintaining courts to provide legal recourse.
In Leviticus 26:18–27, seven is connected to the punishment of sin:

“If after all this you will not listen to me, I will punish you for your sins seven times over ….  

“If you remain hostile toward me and refuse to listen to me, I will multiply your afflictions seven times over, as your sins deserve ….  

“If in spite of these things you do not accept my correction but continue to be hostile toward me, I myself will be hostile toward you and will afflict you for your sins seven times over ….  

“If in spite of this you still do not listen to me but continue to be hostile toward me, then in my anger I will be hostile toward you, and I myself will punish you for your sins seven times over.”

Indeed, because of sin, the Jewish people spent 70 years as captives in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:10).

Yeshua Unveiled: The Incredible Seventy Sevens

While in Babylonian captivity, Daniel received an incredible mathematical message from the angel Gabriel that clearly identified the timing of the coming of the Messiah through a prophecy concerning 70 weeks of years—numbers which we have seen involve holiness, completion, perfection, and cycles of time.

In that passage, Daniel ponders Jeremiah’s prediction that Jerusalem would remain in ruins for 70 years; then Gabriel appears to him.

“When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place.  For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”  (Jeremiah 29:10–12)

Gabriel confirms the timing for the end of captivity in Jeremiah’s prophecy, but he doesn’t stop there.  He essentially tells Daniel that an end would come to captivity to sin.

“Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.”  (Daniel 9:24) 

This prophecy not only accurately predicts the year that Yeshua’s ministry began, but also His sacrificial death for the sins of the entire world, bringing righteousness to all who follow Him.  As well, it looks forward to the end of the age when the prophetic clock begins to tick again after the re-establishment of the independent state of Israel and the final 70th week plays out.

Yeshua’s cutting off only represents 69 of the 70 weeks.  The last week (7 years) is yet to unfold with the arrival of the anti-Messiah who will make peace that holds for 3 1/2 years.  The remaining 3 1/2 years will be a time of trouble that culminates in the return of Messiah (Daniel 9:27, 11:31; Matthew 24:15).

The prophecy of the seventy sevens reveals that God’s hand is on history and that we have a hope and a future upon the final completion of all things when the Jewish People realize that Yeshua is their Messiah.
That hope is not lost on many Jewish people who have been challenged to read the Messianic prophecy found in Daniel, as well as other Messianic prophecies.

For example, one Bibles For Israel worker said that Daniel’s vision of the seventy weeks was instrumental in leading him to faith in Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).

“Before I became a Believer, a good friend who was later to become my pastor, explained to me how Yeshua had to be the Messiah since He appeared in accordance with the description given by Daniel in Daniel 9,” he said.

Does our "walk/path" matter?

 

Halachah means to walk or  "the path that one walks."

The word is derived from the Hebrew root
 Hei-Lamed-Kaf, meaning to go, to walk or to travel.
 

Everyone’s walk  or halachah with God will look different.  Sometimes we as believers will be in the same place and understand, believe and conduct our lives the same. Other times we might be in a different place but IF we are all truly seeking to walk in Truth, we will all end this journey on earth with the same result, in His presence for eternity.

Does our path matter?  

Most often we are taught that faith is all we need.  But faith cannot exist alone.  True faith will inspire us to seek more, learn more, worship more and will demand that we change our path in life.  The Spirit will guide us during our Halachah (walk).  This will not be an easy path.  But imagine this world as a deep forest filled with thick brush, wild animals, poisonous plants and other hidden dangers.  If we are not careful we could take the wrong path that would lead to death such as a cliff or to the den of a wild beast. 
There will not be refreshing water or safe foods to eat if you do not follow behind our Shepherd who will always protect His sheep.  The journey without our Shepherd will be filled with sorrow and frustration. 

The “deceiver” satan will do his best to make “many” believe they have their “faith” right and many will be lead astray.  Do not let yourself be one of them.

Our shepherd always knows the right path.  Imagine Him carrying a "machete" that can clear cut the path of the wild brush for us but we must follow close behind Him.  WALK IN HIS PATH.  He will point out to us the Water from which to drink and the “food” that is fit to sustain us.  But we must stick close to Him, so we can hear His loving voice and instruction.

So you can see that YES our path matters.  The path we want to take will provide closeness to the One that will make the journey safe and enjoyable.  Taking the correct path will enhance the joy of the journey, bring us peace and harmony.  We are not expected to “complete” the journey but ARE EXPECTED to be found on THE RIGHTEOUS PATH, for many will be deceived and be “following” satan on the wrong path to destruction!

What is our "path"? 

GRACE, FAITH AND ACTION:

Our path is our faith that we develop because we accept His Grace.  It is the actions we take to purify our lives from sin, paganism and worldly (satan’s) lies.  This will mean putting away the old and seeking, finding and putting on the NEW! You can not be “new in Christ” and “look the same”!!

Our path is the decisions we make that others see and how we conduct our lives that cause others to want to do the same. Our path is the conversations and seeds that we plant and cultivate that bring the Good News to others.  It is faith and grace that mature in us, cultivated by Truth and His spirit that inspire us to DO MORE than just "have faith" and motivates us to be lead to the correct path.

We must not let this world, that is controlled by satan LEAD US. 

 We must question our faith to see if it will be “found ACCEPTABLE”.  If our reasoning before our Judge is anything less than, “I followed Him closely, as closely as I could” we will be found guilty of being unworthy.  Only the GREAT I AM will know how worthy we must be to have eternal life.  Only He will know if we truly “followed closely”.
He will be wanting to know if we let fear keep us in our old flesh or did we break free???  Or were we lead astray- to follow the world’s path- to be “luke warm” so we could continue to be comfortable in our old lives?? Did we open our eyes to seek Him with clean hands and pure hearts???  Did you follow the crowd thinking there was "safety" in numbers?? Or did you purify your life so you can be found with the "few" who have his TRUE faith??  He sees into our hearts and knows the reasons for which we make EVERY decision.

The bible was written so everyone can follow Him closely.  Lets look at scripture.  Luke 18:9-14 says:
 (The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector)
⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Confident of their own righteousness!!!  Notice Jesus told this story TO "some who were confident of their righteousness".  Not "about" but "to".
He was not telling the story to the Pharisee or even the sinner but TO THOSE WHO WERE CONFIDENT in their OWN righteousness, warning us (as the listeners of this story) that many will think they are justified by actions and "law": that they are "not sinners" but their hearts will testify otherwise.

The Pharisee acted "righteous" according to law (giving a tenth, fasting) without love and compassion and with conceit and judgement. It is obvious this is not a true halachah with God. The tax collector lived the path of humility and desire to repent.  He was not deceived by the appearance of the leaders conduct.  The tax collector (sinner repenting) knew that the Pharisee was being lead by the deceiver.  Note: the collector "went home justified BEFORE GOD".  We must be following the path THAT WILL BE JUSTIFIED BEFORE GOD, and not the Pharisee's of the world!!  Being justified by God matters!  Our path matters!  We could be judged by Him if our "path"(what we believe- which dictates our actions) will lead others to be deceived causing others to be lead away from the Shepherd. So what we believe, causes us to react which can be used by Him to be "judged or justified".

To find and follow that path that matters, we must read, study and UNDERSTAND His personal letter to us, the Holy Scriptures.  We (as a bible study group looking for the truth) do not claim to have the answers but we do want more from our faith than the world has to offer. So we will do what the Hebrews, Jews and Jesus did in His time.  We will read and discuss what we read.  We will use resources about biblical times to know the language and culture behind each story and in its time.  We will not depend on doctrine or "Pharasees" to teach us but the scriptures and the Spirit of God , which will lead us where He wants us to go.

If you are seeking to find a justified path lead by our Shepherd, then join us at one of our bible studies or here on our blog.  Ask questions, leave kind comments.  Lets grow together.

About the picture above: Noticed I picked picture with two paths: a path that seemed to be "less traveled" and lead to the "light" and a path that seems to be more traveled but obviously leading in a different direction.  This photo seemed to be a good way to show how our paths will matter.


 read more about halachah at:
 http://www.jewfaq.org/halakhah.htm
tk

WELCOME! to Halachah with God

We would love for you to share your stories of encouragement about how God has touched your life.  Please leave in the comment box below.  Once your comments or story has been reviewed it will be posted on our blog which will become LIVE February 1st 2017!
We would like to be a learning, teaching and sharing blog and want and need your comments, questions and stories.  Thanks for stopping by and we pray this new year brings you love, peace and good health.

On this blog we will welcome questions and comments that are offered in love and with compassion as we are all traveling the same path- none of us "have arrived."  Let’s be kind.   We reserve the right to delete any hurtful comments.
During our journey we will explore many issues that will stir your heart to do WHAT IS RIGHT and RIGHTEOUS in HIS EYES, and that may make you uncomfortable.  Let’s His spirit direct you into a better understanding of how to come before Him on that day of judgement with CLEAN HANDS and PURE HEARTS!   We will use SCRIPTURE from Genesis to Revelation to help us understand how to live today; in this world, but not of this world, with His blessings, grace and love.   Let’s begin our journey...  Shalom.