The Number 17…

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#17-Being lifted up–resurrection; being saved; destruction or separation from God…the flood, the resurrection.

God’s Shepherding Process–We have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and now are ready to begin a new life in the land He has prepared for us. It is our responsibility to go forward with Him to cleanse the land by “…tearing down altars, smashing sacred pillars, destroying idols and burning graven images with fire. Of course, for us this is not literal but refers to equivalent things in our minds, hearts, and lives. “The LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly…” (Deuteronomy 7:22). In this seventh step we have arrived, having chosen to be one of God’s children, making him our heavenly Father. In 2 Samuel 7:14 we see that God promises when we make the decision to be His, He will be faithful to discipline, guide, and otherwise shepherd us to the right paths. This shepherding process will guide us to finally arrive at eight—being a Godly servant.
Things often found associated with seven
shepherding, teaching
sanctification, light
adultery, turning away, turning back
discipline, discipleship
provoking, arguing, departing,
confession, forgiveness
corrupt, fools, knowledge
refuge
preaching, witness, testimony
asking, receiving, seeking, finding

Example verses

ADULTERY, TURNING AWAY, UNFAITHFULNESS–The number seven speaks either of God drawing us to Him for sanctification, or of us turning away from Him in adultery.

Judges 3:7 “The sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.”

AFFLICTION/CONSEQUENCES/DISCIPLINE: When we turn away from our perfect Father, He uses the consequences to turn us back to Him. Or He might intentionally provide trials, tests, or other problems designed to cause us pain to turn us back to Him.

2 Corinthians 7:10 “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation….”

DESTROYING THE WICKED AND SAVING THE REMNANT: The best-known event related to seven is the great flood of Genesis 7, when Noah and seven others were saved, with all the animals on the earth to one day serve God again. While our goal of the seventh step is sanctification and godliness, it is also a time when the unfaithful will fall away and even be destroyed.

Genesis 7:10 says, “It came about after the seven days, that the water of the flood came upon the earth.”

CONSECRATION, SANCTIFICATION, SACRIFICE, ATONEMENT:

Isaiah 6:7 is the 17,777th verse, and it confirms that when we seek God as our Father our sins are immediately forgiven (sixth step) and we then become His child whom He loves, cares for, and guides to becoming complete through His guidance and discipline: “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”

SEVEN IN CONFESSION AND ADMITTING UNWORTHINESS: When we humbly come to the Lord, confessing our sins and admitting our unworthiness, He immediately responds. Confession is a necessary part of receiving healing.

Micah 7:1 “ Woe is me! For I am Like the fruit pickers, like the grape gatherers. There is not a cluster of grapes to eat;
Luke 7:7 “…for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

SEVEN IN THE GOOD SHEPHERD: The Lord desires to be our Father and teach us His ways.

Jeremiah 24:7 “I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.”

SEVEN IN OBEDIENCE AND COURAGE: God commands us to follow Him and be courageous in our actions as He is with us as we go.

Joshua 1:7 “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.”

Symbolism for number eight Top of Page

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