Come Follow Me Insights This Week: May 9

As you read the scriptures you’ll notice certain numbers keep showing up.  Why is that?  Symbolism!  The book of Numbers is a great chance to look into them more deeply.  Let’s look at some of the things that certain numbers symbolize:

a. Number three: divine fullness

i. The three-part Godhead is a model for our earthly presidencies: 1st Presidency, stake, ward, and every priesthood presidency

ii. 3 days of light were a sign of Christ coming into the world

iii. 3 days of darkness were a sign of Christ leaving the world

iv. Christ’s mortal ministry was 3 years long

v. There are 3 witnesses to the Book of Mormon

vi. There were 3 wise men

vii. 3 Nephites were translated

viii. There are 3 degrees of glory.

b. Number seven: wholeness, perfection

i. The Earth was created in 7 “days”

ii. Jacob worked 7 years for Rachel

iii. Egypt had 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine

iv. There are 7 wounds on Jesus’s body (one in each foot, one in each hand, one in each wrist, and one in His side)

v. To destroy the walls of Jericho 7 priests walked around Jericho 7 times for 7 days blowing 7 shofars on the 7th day

c. Number eight: spiritual renewal or rebirth

i. Circumcision was done at 8 days old

ii. Baptism is done at 8 years old

iii. There were 8 people allowed on Noah’s ark

iv. The Jaredites sailed to America in 8 ships

v. There are 8 additional witnesses to the Book of Mormon

vi. Lehi’s family traveled for 8 years in the wilderness

d. Number ten: completeness of order

i. 10% tithing

ii. 10 plagues in Egypt

iii. 10 commandments

e. Number twelve: perfection in governance and witness

i. 12 tribes of Israel

ii. 12 oxen support the temple baptismal fonts

iii. Jesus’ first public appearance was at age 12

iv. Young Men enter priesthood service at (or close to) age 12

v. Jesus called 12 apostles

f. Number forty: time of testing, trial, or preparation

i. The spies who went into Canaan were gone for 40 days

ii. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 year

iii. The resurrected Savior taught for 40 days

iv. During the flood, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights

v. Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days

vi. Jesus fasted for 40 days

vii. It took 40 years to build the Salt Lake City temple

g. Seventy: 7×10 = completeness or perfection of order

i. Jesus sent 70 special missionaries to teach in His name

ii. The quorum of the 70

iii. 70 elders accompanied Moses on Mount Sinai to meet the Lord

iv. We should be willing to forgive 70×7 times