The study of Bible numbers and their meanings can be over-emphasized. Taken so far that one misses the practical emphasis of a Text.
But then again so can Scripture’s numbers be under-emphasized.
In the Gospel of John’s Account of Jesus speaking to the “woman at the well,” that Samaritan woman … I counted and was astounded to see that in such a prolonged conversation she spoke a total of seven times.
Her overall conversation in John chapter four actually splits into “six” outbursts followed by “one” glorious set of words! We’re discussing “numbers!” Let me explain …
She spoke six times as a lost woman!
First, when Jesus asked her for a drink of water from the well where He was sitting … “How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.” John 4:9
Second, she asks … “Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?” John 4:11-12
Third, now persuaded of Jesus’ Authenticity … “Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.” John 4:15
Fourth, on the defensive now, having been asked to go bring her husband to the interview … “I have no husband.” John 4:17
Fifth, we read her next response: “Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” Here asking a religious question, John 4:19-20.
Sixth, perhaps her warmest statemen yet … “I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.” John 4:25!
At some point through these six utterances (“six” being the number of man, man as a human being, man apart from God) she realizes her hopelessness and believes on Jesus. Likely back at her third sentence! “Give me this water.”
But now … watch her “seventh” set of words in the chapter … “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” John 4:28-29
Unquestionably … “seven” in the Bible is the number (six plus one) of man as spiritually complete! (Lost man, number six … plus … God, the One like no other … equals a total of seven, often called the “number of spiritual completion, of spiritual maturity!”
And with her seventh insertion into the Narrative … she is telling others about Jesus! She is witnessing! She is soul-winning!
A mature thing to do!
Maybe we can learn from her trajectory here. We all used to be characterized by what the number “six” represents! Lost and on our way to Hell!
Then we, like her, asked for that Water; that everlasting water, eternal water, a fountain of gushing water!
Now may we, still like her … go forth and tell others about our Lord! May we grow to that point of spiritual maturity!
Amen!
Bible numbers, amazing!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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