One of the things I've learned in my time off is that the number 8 is the number of new beginnings. I learned this from a TV preacher that I normally wouldn't watch, but something kept me tuned in. I had heard this idea from a couple of different places, but this guy went through the Bible, highlighting number "8" passages. A couple caught my attention - there were eight people in Noah's Ark, symbolizing a new beginning. David was the eighth son of Jesse, symbolizing a new dynasty. Hebrew children were circumcised on the eighth day of their lives - symbolizing a new cycle of life.
In subsequent research (I had to learn more about "8"), I learned of a Jewish festival called "Shemini Atzeret", the "eighth day assembly." It came after the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkoth. Leviticus 23:33-44 declares that the Feast of Tabernacles is to be celebrated for seven full days. Seven is the number of completion and the final day celebrates the completion of the harvest. The eighth day begins a new growth cycle, therefore a holy convocation is called for, a time of worship which, in Jewish tradition, would include a prayer for rain for the new growing season. The eight day was a new beginning.
Christ was raised on the "eight day" of the week - the ultimate evidence of a new beginning.
What is God saying through all of this? Is 2008 the year of new beginnings as the TV preacher said? Still seeking, praying and waiting for clarity ... thankful that God is always a God of new beginnings.
1 comment:
Praying for you! I remember when I was seeking God for months about the new direction I felt He was taking us in and how I got to the point of feeling hopeless and thought there was no way God could fix everything that needed fixing in order for us to move. I finally listened to a Joyce Meyer's tape titled "New Beginnings". God spoke to me through that teaching and after I listened to her I prayed and surrendered the house, and all other details to God and asked Him to do something that only He could do and as you know the rest is history. One minute I felt like our situation would never change and then that afternoon He became the God who bursts through and that is what I am praying for you! May He bursts through for you in a way that only could come from Him.
Post a Comment