May 13, 2007

• The Spiritual and Symbolic Significance of Numbers in the Bible: The Number “One”

  (This is Part 1)

   Numbers in the Bible Synopsis

  There is a consistency in the use of certain numbers in the Bible, both the New and Old Testaments. Some of these numbers reveal hidden concepts and meanings that are not seen unless one looks closely at the whole of Scriptures. In this study we will look at these numbers that carry a spiritual or symbolical significance. We will examine many of the passages where they are found.

  ONE: THE NUMBER OF ABSOLUTE SINGLENESS AND UNITY

  Deuteronomy 6:4 (ESV)
  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

  This is the Jewish confession of faith is called the Shema (which means to “hear”). It is the basic confession of monotheism: God is one. The emphasis of this Hebrew word, “ehad”, is “unity”.

  I would note that the Hebrew word here used for “God” is “Elohim“. In the Old Testament the word “Elohim” is used to describe God in over 2500 places referring to God‘s power and might. As you read the Old Testament in our language, the word “Elohim” is simply translated as “God“. And here’s the interesting note: The Hebrew word “Elohim” is a plural name. While the plural does not teach the Trinity on it’s own, it does allow for the subsequent revelation of the Trinity in the New Testament.

  When asked by a scribe what the most important commandment is, Jesus recites the Shema in Mark 12:29, “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

  Zechariah 14:9 (ESV)
  And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one.

  The prophet Zechariah was called the “prophet of hope”. He looked forward to the age of the Messiah. Here he tells us about the kingdom of God, the kingdom that will be established by Jesus. They are one…God…..Jesus…..in unity.

  This Hebrew word, “ehad” is also used to show the complete unity and oneness of a man and woman in the relationship of marriage……the “one flesh” principal:

  Genesis 2:24 (ESV)
  Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

   

   

  Ephesians 4:4-6 (ESV)
  4 There is one body and one Spirit–just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call– 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

  The word “body” here is the body of Christ…the Church. The meaning here is, that as there is really but one church on earth, and there ought to be unity. This “body, the Church, is characterized in unity:

  • one Spirit who indwells each believer and has baptized them into that body (1 Corinthians 12:13)
  • one hope, centered on Christ’s return to complete His work of redemption (Ephesians 1:14; Titus 2:13)
  • one Lord, Jesus Christ, who has purchased each believer with His own blood (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
  • one faith, that body of truth which has been “once [for all] delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3)
  • one baptism, by which we have all been identified with and united with Christ; and one God and Father of us all.  1

  Note: One baptism may refer to water baptism, however, many scholars also believe that this is in reference to baptism by the Holy Spirit. In either case, we are united as followers of Christ by one baptism, a single act demonstrating a spiritual unity. In the days of the early church, public baptism clearly identified a person as a Christian.
  
  

  John 17:20-22 (ESV)
  20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,

  This is part of a prayer by Jesus that models the unity of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit indwelled in us as well as describing the unity of God’s people as “one”. The people of God are also described in unity as “one”  in John 17:11.

  The Greek word for one, “heis“, describes Christ as “one teacher” (Matthew 23:8), “one master” (Matthew 23:10) and “one Shepherd” (John 10:16). Note that John 10:16 also speaks of the unity of believers in “one flock”.
  
  Philippians 2:1-4 (ESV)
  1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

  In this passage of Scripture written by the Apostle Paul, we find what I believe is the clearest picture of the humility and unity called for by Jesus, indeed God. What is spoken of here is not at all a weak person’s surrender……..but it is a strong person’s rejection of selfishness and determination to be actively concerned with the needs and interests of others. This Scripture calls for us to be unified, to be of “one mind”.
  
  The Apostle Paul also refers to all followers of Christ as being “one in Christ”, unified. We find this in Galatians 3:28.

  If we look deeper into the New Testament we find Jesus unified as God in John 10:30 and 1 Corinthians 8:6.

  So, we see that just as in a marriage, God intended for a “unity” in our relationships…….with Him as well as others……..just as there is unity in God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. “Oneness” is a quality of God. “Oneness” is a symbol of unity as well as the unique value of each individual person. God’s people, the church, the body of Christ, was founded on the unity of Christ with the Father. Being united with Jesus, we take on the same attributes that he had: humility, compassion, tenderness, encouragement, like-mindedness, and a deep love for all those around us….as well as the celebration of the uniqueness of each of God’s children……I believe that we should also celebrate the uniqueness of the many denominations in the kingdom, as they are simply people…..that are unique………we serve one God…..we should be united as one people.

  What do you think?

  1- Defender’s Study Bible

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