Tuesday, January 11: Twelve

Just as God breathed the world into existence during creation, He also breathed the Bible into existence.


16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17


The Greek word for “inspiration” is theopneustos, a combination of the root words for God (theo) and breathe (pneo). If each word was specifically chosen by God, then each word carries weight and significance. Some people are mathematically-minded, while others seem to see numbers and begin a brain freeze. Yet the numbers in the Bible carry power. Simply by looking at individual numbers can give us great insight into their meaning. Never forget, it was not man who invented math, but God, the great mathematician!


Twelve is an interesting number in the Bible, which we also can see in many aspects of our lives. There are 12 months in a year (Daniel 4:29). Additionally, historians give us an accurate representation of the Hebrew calendar consisting of 12 months of 30 days, which is based upon the lunar cycle. Also, God mentions many of those months in the Old Testament.


In Genesis, God gives us one of the most significant 12’s in the Bible with the number of Jacob’s sons. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher each became the leader of a tribe of Israel. Occasionally in biblical lists of the tribes, one or more fall into disfavor, being replaced by the sons of Joseph (Manasseh and Ephraim), but there always are 12 tribes. With that representation comes many other aspects. For instance, there are 12 spies who enter the Promised Land, one from each tribe. When the children of Israel officially enter that land, they are instructed to each place a memorial stone at the Jordan River. Consequently, there are 12 stones. There also are 12 precious stones on the ephod of the high priest. Those tribes remain in the future, as a remnant of Jews preaches to the world under judgment. That remnant includes 12,000 in each tribe for a total of 144,000. On the other side of the coin, Ishmael also had 12 sons, which down the road, became the Arab nation that continues to attempt to eradicate the Jews from the earth.


Interestingly, 12 men are specifically mentioned as anointed by God. They are Aaron (Exodus 29:7), Nadab (Exodus 29:7), Abihu (Exodus 29:7), Eleazar (Exodus 29:7), Ithamar (Exodus 29:7), Saul (1 Samuel 10:1), David (1 Samuel 16:13), Absalom (2 Samuel 19:10), Solomon (1 Kings 1:39), Jehu (2 Kings 9:6), Joash (2 Kings 11:12) and Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:30). Even their places in order are significant, with Saul in the sixth spot and David in the seventh. Six is the number of man and seven the number of completeness.


Jesus chose 12 apostles, and after Judas killed himself, the others cast lots to replace him with Matthias, rather than just existing with 11. In Revelation, we see that the New Jerusalem will have many 12’s:


14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Revelation 21:14-21

Even the foundations of the wall have 12 different precious stones! Jesus first spoke publicly when He was 12, and a Jewish boy becomes a man after completing 12 years! So what is the significance of 12? It is a perfect number pointing to governmental rule. Though we might be more familiar with purchasing a dozen eggs or a dozen doughnuts, God’s representation of this number has to do with rulers. Though there are 12 inches on a ruler, that is not the kind of ruler to understand here. When reading the Bible, understand that every word is meaningful, pointing to the power of an omnipotent and omniscient God! He does not do anything haphazardly or accidentally. When reading His Word, go deeper! There is much more below the surface, like an iceberg!

6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6-7