::raises hand::

Am I the only one? :) Ok so Sprite does taste a lot better, but 7UP has more meaning....well to me at least. I know this sounds really weird, but theologicaly speaking, I think it the term '7UP' has lots of value! LOL! :)

When I think of the number seven, I think about, Revelation, or Joshua, or all the other sevens all throughout the Bible. And when I think about the word 'UP' I immediately think about they skies, or the heavens, or the 'big man UP there'! LOL! Strange associations from a soft drink isn't it? heh :)

In the last email, I centered upon the relationship between a wedding feast and the sabbath rest. The connection between the two is the number seven. So this email will be focusing on the number seven and God's covenant relationship with us. I pray this won't be too long and boring to read :)

So right now, you may all be wondering: Jason, are you trying to do some silly number trick on us to find out a 'secret code' on the number seven!? In a sense, yes, but no, I'm simply trying my best to let God's word speak for itself in truth.

Anyway, let's check out an interesting story. I think the treaty at Beersheba (Gen 21:22-34) is the key to understanding what the number seven is all about. In this passage, Abraham was making a treat with Abimelech and Phicol. And Philcol said:

And Abraham responds: "I swear it" (Gen 21:24)

Then Abraham complains to Abimelech about a well that was seized by Abimelech's servants. There seemed to be a stealing of other people's property. So Abimelech replies,

"I don't know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today" (Gen 21:26)

And then Abraham does something REALLY weird. Here's what the passage says:

So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a treaty. Abraham set apart *SEVEN* ewe lambs from the flock (Gen 21:27-28)

Abimelech asked Abraham,

"What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?" (Gen 21:29)

And the next verse reveals quite a lot:

So that place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an *OATH* there (Gen 21:31)

Anyone notice that 'sheba' means oath? Did anyone notice it also means 'seven'?? :) That's why NIV footnotes say, "Beersheba can mean well of SEVEN or well of the OATH". So sheba means to make an oath, or a covenant, or more literally, 'to seven oneself' :)

This certainly says a LOT about the sabbath rest on the SEVENTH day, doesn't it? :)

By the way, anyone remember the book of Joshua and the city of Jericho? Seven priests carried seven trumpets, and marched around the city of Jericho seven times for six days. But on the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times (at the seven hour?). Sounds almost like Revelation right? I think there was some Old testament feast where the people celebrated on the seventh hour of the seventh day, of the seventh month, every seven years. ;) I could be wrong, but I remember something resembling that :)

In anycase, I think the significance is that every time the number 7 shows up in scripture, there's something significant going on with a covenant or an oath. Here's what I mean: Exodus 31:16

"The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, CELEBRATING it for the generations to come as a lasting COVENANT." (Ex 31:16)

Notice anything? The Sabbath was to be celebrated for a lasting covenant! So what exactly is a covenant? Dictionaries define covenant as an agreement, or a contract as if it's legal thing (just like the example with Abimelech). However, scripture appears to reveal more than simply an exchange of goods, but rather a personal exchange of persons, or a giving oneself between two people: Genesis speaks of man and woman coming together as one. Paul explains how it's the union of Christ and the bride. And we see that picture in Revelation.

And so, every time the sabbath is being celebrated (based on Ex 31:16), there's a 'renewing' process of the covenant. It's like married couples celebrating their anniversary. Or more 'biblically', it's like married couples going on a date once a week! :) That's how the Sabbath (in relation to the number seven) was understood in the Old Covenant!

But how is it understood in the New Covenant? Simple: Jesus claimed to be Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5). And Hebrews 4:1-11 teaches that the Sabbath rest (at the time Hebrews was written) was something of the future (Hebrews 4:1), yet at the same time a reality (Heb 4:3)!! Ultimately I believe the sabbath rest is fulfilled in Christ! In other words, we are celebrating the sabbath every time we find our rest in Christ; so we're renewing our covenant with God every time we spend time with Him! :) Conversely, we're breaking the covenant with God every time we sin. That's probably why God says:

"...I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God..." (Ex 20:5). It's like a husband cheating on her wife. Isn't it truly wonderful knowing that God will unconditionally love us? :)

And that's exactly what the Bible is about: A covenant relationship between God and his people and how much God loves us. You can read about it in it's entirety from the very beginning of the Bible to the very end-the Bible is a covenant book =)

So now I leave you with this question: Have you 'sevened' yourself today?

If not, do you need a good reminder? THEN DRINK 7UP!!! :)

Ok so that was really silly...oh well..I tried ;)

Anyway I'm tired, it's getting late, and I'd better to go to sleep.

God bless!

-Jason