Numbers have significance and, in the Bible, numbers mean things. The topic of numerology is one in which someone studies numbers looking for hidden meaning. It is a fun topic. However it should not be taken to such extents that anything other than the plain reading of the Bible means what it means. For the sake of numerology, I want to explore my favorite number 7 (seven). It is a sacred number because it is the day that God rested from creating.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. Genesis 2:1-3 ESV
Perfection, Power, and Presence
Seven, 7, in numerology terms is the number of perfection and it represents God. It represents God in his presence, in his power, or in his will. To demonstrate this I want to look a Samson and Delilah as a place where seven is significant in scripture. As you read and study the Bible yourself you might find God at work in many places with the sacred strength of seven jumping off the page.
We all know the story of Samson and Delilah. She cuts his hair and his strength fails. But read it again with fresh eyes.
She made him sleep on her knees. And she called a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. Judges 16:19 ESV
Seven Locks of Strength
Numerology of 7 shouts to us from this passage. Samson who has never had his hair cut has seven locks and when his hair is cut his strength is gone. Where did his strength come from? Was it the hair or was it sourced from something greater? The 7 in his locks reminds us that the source of his strength comes from God.
And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. Judges 16:20 ESV
Righteous Fall 7 Times
The same God is here for us mortal men who do not possess the supernatural strength of Samson. When we build a relationship with him is there to pick us up. We need his perfection and God is there to pick up even the worst of sinners like Samson when he falls.
Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home; for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. Proverbs 24:15-16 ESV
God Is Never Gone
Samson is in a place he should not be with Delilah. She cuts his 7 locks (numerology meaning God’s strength in Samson’s life) and Samson falls broken on the rocks of his own sin. But Samson for all his sins and all his faults is still a man who loves God and God clearly favors. Proverbs promises that even if a righteous man falls seven times he will rise. The numerology of 7 again implying that God is with the righteous even in the midst of their fallen sin. Is Delilah the end of Samson? No Samson rises again and the wicked stumble in the time of calamity.
Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Judges 16:28
Dear reader God is with us always because he made us. We are the creation and he is the Creator. The only real question is do things like numerology draw us to him or do they pull us away? Are the tools like numerology the things we worship or do we worship the one who made the tools? God is the creation so serve him and love him. Be like Samson and call on the Lord. Learn from Samson’s mistakes and call on God early and often.
they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Romans 1:25 ESV
