Welcome to the fourth seven weeks of the year (May 28-July 15 in a Clear Year; and May 29 – July 16 in a Leap Year). Welcome to weeks 22-28. This is the seven-week season ending the Old Testament side of the year. The Bible patterns for understanding this season are the fourth day of creation narrative, the fourth seven books of the Bible, the fourth book and chapters of the Bible; the fourth seven chapters (22-28) of the Bible.
The fourth seven weeks of the year is comparable to the fourth day of creation. On the fourth day of creation, God made the luminaries – the sun, moon, and stars – to give light on the earth, to divide the day from the night, to rule the day and night, and to be for seasons. The creation of the luminaries signified organization and orderliness; and were meant to keep away confusion, deception, stumbling, fear, and every other thing associated with darkness. The fourth 49 days of the year is a season to govern the earth from the heavenly places. In this season, the earth is helpless without the heavens. So, it is a season for the earth to lean on heaven for light and power. The fourth day of the week is the bridge between the first three days of the week and the last three days of the week. It is the bridge between the first three days of battles and the last three days of blessings.
The fourth seven weeks of the year is a book Numbers season. Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible. The book of Numbers covers about 39 years of Israel’s wilderness journey; beginning from “the first day of the second month of the second year after they came out of Egypt” (Numbers 1:1). The book of Numbers is a Book of tests, trials, troubles, conflicts, and judgments. Israel was tested in the fourth book of the Bible. Most of those who came out of Egyptian bondage perished in the wilderness in the book of Numbers. They were overtaken by darkness because of the rejection of light in the word of God from Moses the Servant of God.
The fourth book of the Bible can be applied to the fourth seven weeks as follows: The first six chapters (from the First Census to the laws of the Nazirite) applies to the 22nd week. Chapters 7-11 (offerings of the leaders, rules for the levites, the Second Passover, the sounding of the Trumpet and the Advance, the murmuring of the people, the spirit on the elders, and the arrival of Quail) apply to the 23rd week. Chapters 12-16 (the dissension of Miriam and Aaron, the rejection of the good land and the judgment, the emergence of Joshua and Caleb, the rebellion of Korah) apply to the 24th week. Chapters 17-21 (the vindication of Aaron, the death of Miriam, the rebellion of Moses and Aaron, the death of Aaron, the fiery serpents and the conquest of three kings) apply to the 25th week. Chapters 22-26 (beginning with Balaam’s effort to curse Israel and end ending with the Second Census) apply to the 26th week. Chapters 27-31 (the election of Joshua, laws governing inheritance, offerings, and vows; vengeance against Midianites and death of Balaam) apply to the 27th week. Chapters 32-36 (the inheritance: the choice of Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe of Manasseh to dwell the eastern side of Jordan, the review of journeys and camps from Egypt, the borders of the land, leaders appointed to divide the land, the cities of the Levites, inheritance of female heirs) apply to the 28th week.
The fourth seven weeks is a fourth seven books of the Bible season. The fourth seven books of the Bible are Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Hosea. The opening poetic book (Song of Songs) shows the rapport and mutual admiration that ought to exist between God and His people. The prophetic books show the prophets beaming light to Israel to keep her out of darkness; though the people rejected darkness. Daniel and his friends were light to Babylon and Persia. The prophets also shut out light from some nations by judgmental prophetic words. The fourth seven weeks of the year is a season of trials and judgments. The fourth seven books of the Bible teach us that the fourth seven weeks is a season to listen to God, receive His word, and declare His counsel and judgments.
The fourth seven weeks is a fourth-chapters of the Bible season. Many fourth chapters of the Bible indicate that this is a season of tests, trials, and pressures. Cain killed Abel in Genesis 4. Moses almost lost faith in Exodus 4. The glory departed from Israel in the fourth chapter of First Samuel. Ishboshet was murdered in Second Samuel 4. The adversaries rose in the fourth chapters of Ezra and Nehemiah. The temptations of Jesus are recorded in the fourth chapters of Matthew and Luke. A storm rose against Jesus in the fourth chapter of Mark. The early church began to suffer persecution in the fourth chapter of Acts.
The fourth seven weeks is a fourth seven-chapters of the Bible season. The fourth seven chapters of Genesis are records of testing and trials. Genesis 22-28 are but trials in Abraham’s house. In Genesis 22, Abraham was tested; in Genesis 23, Sarah died. That must have been a trying time for Abraham. In Genesis 24, Rebekah was tested. In Genesis 25, Esau and Jacob were born; and in the same chapter, Esau sold his birthright to his younger brother for a plate of food. In Genesis 26, Isaac was tested in a season of famine. He obeyed God and prospered. In Genesis 27, Jacob stole Esau’s blessings after Rebekah and Jacob played a fast game on Isaac. In Genesis 28, Jacob escaped to Padan-Aram. The trials and triumph of Jesus is recorded in Matthew 22-28. The trials of Paul is recorded in Acts 22-28. The fourth seven weeks is a season of trials.
The fourth seven weeks of the year is a bridge season in the year. It is an Obadiah to Malachi season. It is the link to the New Testament side of the year. Every year is like a journey through the Bible; and has both an Old Testament side and a New Testament side. The first 28 weeks of the year belongs to the Old Testament side. The remaining weeks of the year belong to the New Testament side. The fourth seven weeks is the last seven weeks on the Old Testament side and expresses the last nine books of the Old Testament. The last 9 books of the Old Testament (Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) are books of correction, judgment, recovery, and restoration.
Today, watch your steps and decisions. The tempter might be very close. Let the word of God guide your steps. Happy 4th Seven Weeks!
PRAYERS FOR THE FOURTH SEVEN WEEKS
1. O Lord, deliver me from the battles and pressures of this season; and help me to keep my mouth from complaining, murmuring, and negative confessions.
2. O Lord, help me against my enemies and those who hate me. Take on battles against those who seek my downfall in this season.
3. O Lord, release your judgments against wickedness and overthrow the wicked and proud in this season.
4. O Lord lbe merciful to your people who trust and hope in you; and forgive their transgressions in this season.
