The number 7 has significant meaning in the Bible. It symbolizes completion, perfection and God’s plan from the beginning of time until the end. The number 7 is mentioned over 700 times in the Bible, starting in the book of Genesis. God created the world in 6 days and rested on the 7th day (Genesis 2:2-3) and it’s not so much as He rested on the 7th day, but that 7th day signified the completeness of His work.
Throughout the Bible, we see the number 7 in various contexts. In the book of Joshua (Joshua 5:1-27), it tells the story of Joshua and the battle of Jerico and how the number 7 plays a significant role in obedience. The Israelites were told to march around the city for 7 days, with 7 priests carrying 7 trumpets. This event was a test of the Israelites’ faith and obedience to God’s instructions: to reach His goal of completion for that battle. Notice how the word “completion” keeps coming up and how it is connected to the number 7. In Matthew 18:22, Jesus speaks of forgiving “seventy times seven.” Now, that comes out to 490, and we all know God forgives us way more than that in a lifetime. That is just a metaphor letting us know that God’s grace and mercy for us is endless and His forgiveness for us will not be completed until we die.
In Revelations, the number 7 appears repeatedly. Seven churches, 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls, just to name a few (Revelation 1-22). These 7’s speak to the completeness of God’s plan for us, the church and the world, showing us that even in times of trials and tribulations, in which The Book of Revelation is full of that, His promises are being fulfilled. Isaiah 11:2-3 connects us to the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and the fear of God. These are spiritual graces that complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them.
These are just a few of the hundreds and hundreds of times 7 is mentioned in the Bible. But the number 7 is more than just a number. The number 7 throughout the Bible should encourage us to seek wholeness and completion in our own lives. We should strive for completeness in our faith, our walk, our relationship with God, while being of service not only to Him but to others. The number 7 challenges us to fulfill God’s love, His grace, and His mercy until our lives on earth are completed.
With Agape Love,
Willie Mae