Naaman and the Number 7

Recently my pastor preached from 2 Kings 5, the healing of Naaman. He pointed out that if Naaman had only submerged himself in the water six times he would have gone away unhealed and empty-handed. However, because Naaman was faithful to be obedient for the full seven submersions, he received not only physical healing but complete salvation, too.

I liked this story but felt particularly frustrated when trying to apply it to my own life. After all, God told Naaman how many times he had to go under. It wasn’t like He just said, “Submerge yourself forever and ever and at some point you will be healed.” That’s what my life often feels like when I’m in a situation I don’t like and have no idea how long I have to keep on working through it. “Have hope forever and ever and ever, and at some point you won’t be disappointed.”

It’s much easier to persevere when your suffering seems temporary.

While I was pondering this, though, the Holy Spirit showed me that God didn’t choose the number seven arbitrarily – not for Naaman, and not for Joshua when the Israelites marched around the city of Jericho. He chose the number seven as a symbol. In 1 Corinthians 10:11, Paul talks about how the history of Israel was recorded so that we could learn from it even now.

God chose the number seven because it means completion.

God created everything in six days and rested on the seventh. The idea that work isn’t complete without a final rest is another topic for another day, but on the seventh day creation was fully finished.

Jesus says to forgive seventy times seven times. He doesn’t really mean to keep track of other people’s wrongs and not forgive them more than that. He means to forgive them completely and totally. He means to keep forgiving them until the work of love and compassion God is doing in your heart is complete.

Similarly, God chose the number seven for Joshua and Jericho not arbitrarily but as a symbol to us that we must keep fighting until the very end. We must continue to overcome until our victory is complete.

As Hebrews 10 says in verses 23 and 32-36,

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

So don’t give up! For all you know you’re in the final stretch.