The Big Five Oh

So what Biblical pictures come to mind when you think of the number fifty? The firstfruits of a wheat harvest, maybe?

Did you know that 50 cubits was a common measurement in the tabernacle, and that the tabernacle curtains were joined together by fifty loops and fifty clasps of gold? (Ex 26:5-6)

But more than anything else, 50 is a number of new life, of victory over your period of great trial.

It was on the 50th day that the Israelites celebrated the feast of weeks (Shabuoth-Greeks call it "Pentecost"- Ex 34:22), God's making of His covenant of law with His people under Moses, who had led them out of bondage in Egypt. This feast came at the time that the firstfruits of the wheat harvest came up.

It was on the 50th day that the followers of the Messiah received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, God's sealing of His new covenant of grace with His people under Christ their Messiah, who freed them from the bondage of sin.

Many of us have been through our '40 days of testing', and as one brother wrote to me yesterday, "Some of my trials have gone well beyond 40 days...not that I'm counting." But the 50th day is coming! Your Shabuoth. Your Pentecost. The beginning of a new harvest of great blessing!! God is faithful and your great blessing is on its way. Praise God!

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.