WHAT I LEARNED WHEN I READ THE BIBLE
“And after seven days the waters of the flood came upon the earth.” (Genesis 7:10 ESV). I learned God uses the number 7 throughout the Bible to give significance to certain events. We learned during creation God completed His work and rested on the 7th day. The number signaled completion. To this day, we identify with a 7-day work week with day 7 representing an ending and a day of rest.
“We see the command for animals to be at least seven days old before being used for sacrifice (Exodus 22:30), the command for leprous Naaman to bathe in the Jordan River seven times to effect complete cleansing (2 Kings 5:10), and the command for Joshua to march around Jericho for seven days (and on the seventh day to make seven circuits) and for seven priests to blow seven trumpets outside the city walls (Joshua 6:3–4). In these instances, 7 signifies a completion of some kind: a divine mandate is fulfilled.” (gotquestions.org).
Throughout the Bible you will see reference to the number 7 more than 700 times. In the book of Revelation, alone, it is referenced more than fifty times. You can play sort of a “Where’s Waldo” when you are reading your Bible. “Where’s 7?” It does not mean we should always attach significance, but seeing it referenced should make us take notice and ask if God is trying to tell us a certain passage or story represents completeness or perfection.