There are so many evidences showing the existence of God that if presented in a court of law the jury would very quickly return with a positive finding.
One of those many evidences is the consistent manner in which Bible numbers are used through out all the books of the Bible.
First of all, the Bible is NOT a book. It is a collection of 66 books, each in harmony with the others, written over a 1500 or so time span by some 40 different authors from various educational, social and cultural levels, all on a single subject; God's relationship with His creation.
In the books of the Bible numbers are all connected with a concept.
The number one is connected with individualness and/or unity. Two is connected with witness and/or testimony. Three is connected with fellowship. Four is connected with earth. Five is connected with grace. Six is connected with man. Seven is connected with perfection or completeness. Eight is connected with a new beginning. Nine is connected with ordinances. Ten is connected with a period of time. And so on...
And then there are the multiplication factors of how the numbers are used to increase not only the emphasis of a concept but the relationships of concepts. But that is for another time.
For example, In Genesis 1:1, the very first verse of the very first book of the Bible we read...
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
Here we have the number of the beginning (1) with the number of God (1) along with the numbers of individuality for the heavens (1) and the earth (1). When we add the heavens and the earth together (1+1=2) we have the number of a witness or testimony. The Bible testifies and witnesses that the heavens and earth are created by God. Now then when we add the number of God to the number of witness or testimony we get, 1+2=3, or a number representing fellowship or agreement. The heavens and the earth and God make up all that is involved in, or a fellowship of, creation. And the entire fellowship began with God (1). When we add the number of beginning, number of God, the number of earth and the number of heavens we get 1+1+1+1=4. Four is the number that is used consistently with earth in scripture. The earth was created by God.
Three is the number connected with fellowship. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. (I John 5:7-8)
Five is the number connected with grace.
Let's read the account of David and Goliath...
40 Then he took his staff in his hand; and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag, in a pouch which he had, and his sling was in his hand. And he drew near to the Philistine. 41 So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. 43 So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”
45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 48 So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth.” (I Samuel 17:40-48)
The Bible says David gathered 5 stones. But one stone was all it took, yet David had four more stones. He had more than enough stones he needed to do the job but he only used one. God's grace is more than sufficient to restore man to Him. One Son is all it took and that one Son is more than enough for the redemption. Five is the number associated with God's Grace. God's Grace is far greater than the need...
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (I Timothy 1:14 NKJV)
And so it goes, number after number. When you see a number mentioned in the Bible it has a consistent significance and connection to the passage where it is used beyond being a literal amount.
If we can assist you in this or any matter please call on us if we can be of service in your search for truth or if you have any questions or comments or you would like to discuss this further.
Marv Walker
706 816-7190
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