SEVEN (THE PERFECT NUMBER)

The Bow In The Sky (Genesis 9:1-29) I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenantl between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” (Genisis 9:15-16) As I thought about the rainbow this morning, I started thinking about it as the promise from God to His people, one that He would never flood the earth again, and a promise to let us know He will always be there in control. But I got thinking why the 7 colours? The bible often uses the number 7 as being the perfect number. I want to look at this a little bit. It is widely recognized as the symbol of divine completion, perfection, and wholeness. 1. It begins at the beginning as in Creation, God created all things in 6 days and rested on the seventh day, to show He was finished and it was complete. 2. Jesus made seven statements while on the cross, signaling the completion of His earthly mission. 1. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," 2. "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise," 3. "Woman, behold your son... Behold your mother." 4 "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34) 5. "I thirst" (John 19:28) 6. "It is finished" (John 19:30) 7. "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46) 3 - The story of Naaman washing in the Jordan seven times to be healed of leprosy. a complete healing (2 Kings 5) 4 - Last book in the bible - Revelation uses the number over 50 times (seven seals, trumpets, and bowls) to represent the totality of God's final judgement. 5. The Names of God are very important in scripture. God’s names tell us about his character. God’s “seven names” describe Gods character. They are: 1. Jehovah-Raah—The Lord Our Shepherd 2. Jehovah-Jirah—The Lord Sees And Provides 3. Jehovah-Rapha—The Lord Our Healer 4.. Jehovah-Tsidkenu—The Lord Our Righteousness 5. Jehovah-Shalom—The Lord Our Peace 6. Jehovah-Shamma—The Lord Is Present 7. Jehovah-Nissi—The Lord Our Banner 6. I have read of God’s “seven spirits”, or they are called the “sevenfold Spirit” of the Lord.(Revelation 3:1, 4:5, and 5:6) We know the bible tells us that God is light (1 John 1:5). 7. And then it brings me to the rainbow - There are seven colors in a rainbow. The rainbow is a promise from God, that He will never destroy the whole world with a flood again. I believe God, is one God, in 3 persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Just as God is light, so light is only one, but we can see many different shadows and shapes and colours caused by the light, just as we see in the rainbow. So, there is also 7 colours in the rainbow.. Why seven, because it proves God is init, He is there and keeping His promises. What Could the Seven Colors of the Rainbow Be Declaring About God? This is my understanding of what the colors maysymbolis. So its not set in stone. Since recently joining the Fellowship of Christians Farmers Canada, the whole thing of colours and their meaning have been brought to new light for me again. Again, because I remember the wordless book using colours back when I was a kid. We use the five colours, GOLD - HEAVEN, Black - Sin, Red- Jesus Blood shed for you and for me, White -it washes us white as snow, Green- because we are now pure we want to (grow) and become more like Jesus. So, what could the 7 colours of the rainbow mean spiritually - 1) Red—Righteousness, Blood of Jesus (Jehovah-Tsidkenu) ‘The Lord is our righteousness ( Jeremiah 23:6 2) Orange—Praise, Harvest, Warfare (Jehovah-Nissi) The Lord Our Banner (Exodus 17:8-15, “The Lord is my victory.” 3) Yellow—Presence, Council of God (Jehovah-Shammah) The Lord Is Present (Ezekiel 48:35 4) Green—Peace, Life, Mercy (Jehovah-Shalom) The Lord Our Peace (Judges 6:24) 5) Blue—Healing (Jehovah-Rapha) The Lord Our Healer (Exodus 15:26) I am the Lord who heals you. 6) Indigo—Shepherd (Jehovah-Ra-ah) The Lord Our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1 7) Violet—Wealth, Provision (Jehovah-Jireh) The Lord Our Provider (Genesis 22:13,14 So, now when ever I look at a rainbow in the sky, it take me back to the promises of God. To the faithfulness of God and the fullness of His redemptive work. All of creation still declares His glory—and through Christ, we are invited to live with open eyes to see it. And I see the fullness and the complete work of God, through Christs death on the cross and rising again from the dead. His work was finished and our was just begining. The rainbow, reminds us of God, being the Great I am, (Exodus 3:14) It simply amazes me, as to how the bible is all tied together, is so many different ways, and the Number 7 is just one of those ways that very facinating to me. Father God, thank you, that you are perfect, and all that you have created is also perfect and you finished it. Lord, I love you and serve you, and know that you will complete a good work in me. (Philippians 1:6) AMEN