POSTED 06 JULY, 2007

Contrasting Sevens Converge

by Mark Huey
mhuey@outreachisrael.net

I remember on 7/7/77 going to the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado by myself and crying out to God with a variety of questions that centered on these basic themes: Why am I here? What have I been created for? Where are You? How do I know You even exist? At that time, the intrigue of numerology fascinated me—and the convergence of sevens had a pull on my thoughts and actions. In my search for truth, I had concluded that mathematics and music were the two universal languages that traversed all cosmic boundaries. My simple thought was that no matter where you were in the universe, two plus two always equaled four and that the music scale was absolute without alteration. However, since my music abilities were limited, I tracked more toward the number schemes and I inherently knew that sevens had a unique quality to them from my various studies. Hence, my desire to tune into the Creator for answers, since even as a pagan at the time, convinced me that there was something in control of the universal order. I conjectured that perhaps at this converging time, I would actually be able to intersect with God from this mountaintop perch and get some answers. As it turned out, I was greeted with a freak summer snowstorm that caught me unaware without sufficient layers of clothing. However, I am convinced that God heard my pleas because within the next fourteen months, I was led into a Bible Church setting where I heard the clear message of the gospel, confessed my sins, repented of my errant ways, and was born from above.

As you can imagine, as I have become increasingly aware of some of the highly publicized activities that are going to take place around the globe on Saturday 7/7/07, my interest has been piqued. It seems that the allure of sevens is still fascinating people, some thirty years after my personal encounter seeking God’s truth. However in just three decades, the technology explosion with the expansion of satellite communication linkage and the advent of the Internet, has given those tuning into sevens exponentially greater visibility to a worldwide population still seeking answers to the same questions I posed when I was twenty-six years old. Besides all of the nuptials that are planned, there are two highly visible stadium and musical events coming from diametrically opposed camps. Yet the timing for both was undoubtedly inspired by the sevens converging!

These are the eight SOS/Live Earth concerts sprinkled around the continents (New York, London, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sydney, and Hamburg) motivated by global warming hysteria, and The Call fast and rally being held in Nashville by those seeking spiritual revival. The contrast between the two events is glaringly obvious. One desires to use human efforts to save the planet from (politically motivated and scientifically suspicious) extinction, while the other calls upon God to bring repentance and revival to America and by extension, the planet. For anyone paying attention, some questions might arise in both camps!

What I find encouraging when reviewing some of the materials published by these groups is the fact that the God-fearing people convening at The Call in Nashville are actually being led to follow some of God’s ways. Despite relative ignorance regarding fuller obedience to the Torah, those gathering will actually honor God’s admonition regarding not buying and selling on the weekly Shabbat (which just happens to be on 7/7/07). On another level, it is interesting that the weekly Torah portion being considered all over the planet by those who use the traditional Jewish readings is Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1). This portion is noted for the zeal of Phinehas as he impales a man and woman involved in blatant idolatrous licentiousness. This act of righteousness actually garners for Phinehas a perpetual covenant of peace for his household (Numbers 25:11-13). There is no doubt in my mind that many of those traveling to Nashville will have a true zealousness for the things of the Lord. I pray that He will touch them and reward them spiritually in ways even beyond their greatest expectations.

Since I have personally witnessed the benefits of God intervening in my life when I sought Him on 7/7/77—even though my apparent inspiration was ungodly—I am confident that He is taking notice of those seeking truth, no matter what their personal motivations happen to be. He alone knows the hearts and the minds of the people involved in various aspects of these convocations. We can all pray that through the ministry of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), He ministers to each and every one according to their specific needs, pleas, and requests.

From our limited perspective, it is difficult to ascertain all that the Father is doing with those directly or indirectly involved with these two uniquely different events. While I do not want to elevate these dueling concerts to the level of Elijah’s challenge to the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel millennia ago, the contrasts are beyond coincidental. I am not expecting fire to fall from Heaven to lap up any sacrificial offerings, but I do understand that the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. I cannot help but believe that He is pleased with a group that is at least approaching Him with repentant hearts in the name of Jesus. From a distance, there appears to be many things being done by faith. Consequently, since we know that without faith it is impossible to please God, God should be pleased by those faithfully seeking Him and His mercy.

If you have a moment in the midst of this Shabbat, perhaps you will be led to offer up a prayer of praise for what He is going to accomplish in the hearts of those who are seeking—on whatever level—to help the planet survive or turn our nation from its wicked ways. The Creator God, who rested on the seventh day and set it apart as the first holy convocation (Leviticus 23), is still sovereign, ruling, and reigning from His throne. We know that seated at His right hand is our Advocate the Messiah Yeshua, ever interceding for us, as the Adversary brings forth his charges against us for either knowledgably or ignorantly breaking His commands. Thankfully by His grace, Yeshua’s blood atones for all of our sins, whether unintentional or intentional.

Let us as Believers in the Holy One of Israel and His ways, intercede for those who do not yet know Him, appealing for the mercies of God to flow forth to the lost. On the other hand, we can also pray for those who are calling upon His name through confession and repentance. We can ask that the Father draw them even closer to a fuller understanding of how we should all interact with His loving commands, and enter His rest on this day of converging and contrasting sevens.

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.