Saturday, January 17, 2004
THE NUMBER FIVE. The number of grace and redemption by the blood of Christ. The pieces of the clothing of the Lord Jesus which were divided at the time of His crucifixion were five. Mt. 27:35 The actions of the Roman soldiers followed the prophetic utterance of the Messianic Psalm. Ps. 22:18 They divided His garments into four shares and then cast lots for His seamless robe. John 19:23 He suffered five major wounds, for they nailed His hands and His feet to the cross. Ps. 22:18 Also, while He was hanging on the cross the soldiers pierced His side. From where there flowed blood and water. John 19:34 In this manner another prophecy of the circumstances surrounding His crucifixion was fulfilled. Not one of His bones was broken. Ps. 34:20 John 19:36 The breaking of the legs of those crucified was to hurry their deaths, but with Jesus, He had already expired, having given up the ghost. Mark 15:39 Note that the first testament, the old one was dedicated by blood and water. There were five elements used in the performance of the ritual. The blood of calves and goats, water, scarlet wool and hyssop. With this act using these things the people, the book, the tabernacle were all dedicated and prepared for service. Heb. 9:19 The truly effective atonement and cleansing is in the precious blood of the Lord Jesus. Heb. 9:14-15 Christ came by water and blood. The manifestation of the Spirit in His life verified the fact that He came from God. 1 John 5:6 These three, the water, the blood and the spirit are the witness of the Lord to the whole of mankind. All three must be active in our lives in order for us to participate in the plan of the Lord. 1 John 5:8
THE FIVE STONES OF DAVID’S CHOOSING. One of these stones was needed to deliver Israel, and only one. Yet he chose five, no doubt in keeping with the meaning of the number. They were smooth from having been tumbled along of the flowing stream. He took them from a living, active flowing stream of fresh water. A stone well prepared for the purpose at hand. They were placed in a shepherds bag and became an arsenal of victory for Israel. A mere shepherd boy, a teenager, totally without weapons of warfare was about to meet head on the champion of the Philistines. The physiological propaganda exercised by Goliath must have had the Israelis shaking in their boots. With his staff in one hand and his sling in the other David with great boldness and courage drew nigh to the giant and confronted him. Goliath mocked and ridiculed David because of his youth and weapons. He then made a great mistake, he cursed David in the name of his gods. It was now a conflict between the gods of the Philistines and the true and the living God of Israel. David invoked the name of the Lord and immediately it became no contest. The destruction of Goliath was certain for the man of the Lord came in the name of Jehovah. One stone slung in the name of the Lord brought victory and deliverance for the whole nation. As the enemy had threatened youthful David so was his judgment meted out to him. It does not pay to challenge the Lord in such a fashion. 1 Sam. 17:40-51