Dear Family,

Today is Thursday, May 9, 2024. It is Day12 and Day 5 of Week 2 in our Count to Pentecost.

Did God have a specific purpose in mind when He provided the exact number of springs and palm trees at the oasis of Elim? At this point in God‛s plan, we can only assume that these exact details provide some sort of witness of God‛s plan. There are probably many ways we could use the details God provides. There appear to be themes of life, good news, healing, provision, and fruitfulness in several passages of Scripture.

Here are a few of the significant contexts where we find 12 and 70. There were 12 tribes of Israel. 70 people went with Jacob into Egypt to be sustained during the time of famine.

Bible commentaries indicate there were 70 nations listed in Genesis 10 that God used to repopulate the earth after the flood. Jesus chose 12 disciples (Luke 6:13). Jesus sent out 70 to preach (Luke 10:1).

In the book of Revelation, we find water and trees mentioned together again. In this passage, there are trees fed by a great river. Together these provide fruit (12 “manner of fruits”) and healing for the nations.

Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

And, David describes the man who loves God‛s way as a fruitful tree.

Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
@ Copyright 2024, Church of the Sovereign God