God Is A God Of Pattern, Time and Order – The Mystery In Matthew 1 (LESSON 1)

Chapter 1: God is a God of Pattern, Order and Time (YouTube Video at End)

Primary Scripture: Matthew 1:17

“So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.”

Introduction

The Scriptures reveal that God operates with divine intentionality. He does not work randomly but rather follows an established pattern, demonstrating perfect order and timing. In Matthew 1:17, we see a structured genealogy divided into three sets of fourteen generations, illustrating how God orchestrates history with numerical precision. This reveals a deeper principle: God controls outcomes using specific number signatures.

The Divine Number Signature System

God’s order is often expressed through numbers, each bearing significant meaning. The numbers that appear repeatedly in Scripture are not coincidental but rather divinely orchestrated. Below is a breakdown of key numbers and their biblical significance:

1 – The Number of the Beginning

– Represents the initiation of God’s divine work.
– God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4).
– “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
– Jesus Christ is the beginning (Revelation 22:13).

2 – The Number of Sanctification, Revival, and Witness

– Represents separation, sanctification, and witness.
– Two tablets of the law (Exodus 31:18).
– Two covenants: Old and New (Hebrews 8:6-7).
– “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)
– Hosea 6:2: “After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” This verse underscores the theme of restoration and spiritual renewal associated with the number 2, while also emphasizing the resurrection significance of the number 3.
– In Exodus 19:10-11, God instructed the children of Israel to sanctify themselves and wash their clothes for two days and be ready for the third day when the Lord would come down upon Mount Sinai. This highlights the process of sanctification and preparation leading to divine manifestation, reinforcing the significance of the number 2 in purification and the number 3 in revelation.

– Represents separation, sanctification, and witness.
– Two tablets of the law (Exodus 31:18).
– Two covenants: Old and New (Hebrews 8:6-7).
– “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

3 – The Number of Resurrection and Divine Perfection

– Jesus was resurrected on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4).
– Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and nights (Jonah 1:17).
– The Three States of God: Eternal Spirit, Image, and Spirit of Man, representing different aspects of His divine nature and operation.

4 – The Number of Gathering and the World

– Four corners of the earth (Isaiah 11:12, Revelation 7:1).
– Four living creatures before the throne (Revelation 4:6-8).
– Four rivers in Eden (Genesis 2:10-14).
– The children of Israel began gathering the lands in the fourth dispensation, from the time of Joshua until their captivity in Babylon.
– There are also eight dispensations, and we are currently in the sixth, which will end with judgment.
– The seventh dispensation will bring the First Resurrection, and the eighth will usher in the new heaven and new earth.

5 – The Number of Captivity and Restoration

– Represents grace, redemption, and deliverance.
– Israel’s fivefold captivity (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Rome).
– Five books of the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy).
– Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves (John 6:9-13).

6 – The Number of Completion and Mankind

– Man was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26-31).
– The number of man (Revelation 13:18).
– Six water pots at the wedding of Cana (John 2:6-9).
– God created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh (Genesis 1:31–2:2), signifying a complete work before entering divine rest.

– Man was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26-31).
– The number of man (Revelation 13:18).
– Six water pots at the wedding of Cana (John 2:6-9).

7 – The Number of Rest, Holiness, and Main Events

– God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3).
– Seven Spirits of God (Revelation 4:5, Isaiah 11:2).
– Seven churches in Revelation (Revelation 2-3).
– Jericho fell after seven days of marching (Joshua 6:15-16).
– The seventh dispensation will be the time of the First Resurrection and the 1,000-year rest, leading into the eighth dispensation of the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 20:4-6, Revelation 21:1).

-Jesus Christ was crucified on the 14th day of Abib, the day of the Passover, (John 19:31)

8 – The Number of New Beginning

– Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week, which is the eighth day following the completion of the previous week (Mark 16:9).
– Eight people were saved in Noah’s Ark (1 Peter 3:20).
– Circumcision on the eighth day (Genesis 17:12).
– There are eight dispensations, and we are currently in the sixth, which will end with judgment.
– The seventh dispensation will bring the First Resurrection.
– The eighth dispensation will usher in the new heaven and new earth, marking the final renewal of God’s divine order.
– The number 8 represents the new creation, eternal renewal, and the fullness of God’s redemptive plan, as seen in Revelation 21:1, where a new heaven and new earth replace the former things, signifying an ultimate beginning beyond time.

– Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week, which is the eighth day following the completion of the previous week (Mark 16:9).
– Eight people were saved in Noah’s Ark (1 Peter 3:20).
– Circumcision on the eighth day (Genesis 17:12).

Multiples of Key Numbers

14 (2×7) – The Number of Double Completion and Divine Order

– Seen in Matthew 1:17 (Three groups of 14 generations).
– Reflects the covenantal shift from Abraham to David, David to Babylonian captivity, and captivity to Christ.

40 – The Number of Testing, Completion, and Man

– 40 days and nights of rain in the flood (Genesis 7:12).
– 40 years of Israel’s wilderness journey (Exodus 16:35).
– Jesus fasted 40 days and nights before beginning His ministry (Matthew 4:2).
– 40 days after resurrection before Jesus ascended (Acts 1:3).

WHEN 40 is divided by 6, it returns 6s like the number 400 0r 4000 as well, these retains the essence of the number 6 (man) and completion.

God’s Numerical Patterns in Matthew 1

When we analyze Matthew 1:17, we see a divine pattern:

1. Abraham to David (14 Generations) → The Establishment of the Kingdom
2. David to Babylonian Captivity (14 Generations) → Fall and Exile
3. Captivity to Christ (14 Generations) → Restoration through the Messiah

Each phase reflects God’s pattern of order: a beginning (1), sanctification (2), resurrection/restoration (3), gathering (4), captivity (5), human involvement (6), and a main event (7).

The inclusion of three sets of 14 generations also highlights God’s complete orchestration through numerical precision:

– 3 (Divine Completion) × 14 (Double Completion) = 42 generations leading to Christ.
– 42 is also a significant number in biblical prophecy, representing divine movement and transition (Revelation 11:2, Daniel 12:11). Additionally, the number 42 connects back to the number 7, signifying rest, holiness, and main events, reinforcing the idea that God’s orchestration follows a divine pattern of completion and fulfillment.** in biblical prophecy, representing divine movement and transition (Revelation 11:2, Daniel 12:11).

Conclusion: The Divine Signature of Time

Matthew 1:17 is not merely a list of names but a structured revelation of God’s sovereignty over time. The numbers demonstrate:

1. God controls both historical and future outcomes.
2. God fulfills promises in exact timeframes.
3. Major spiritual events follow a numerical order.

Understanding these divine numerical patterns allows us to see that God works in perfect precision, guiding history according to His ordained plan. Every number, every pattern, and every timeline in Scripture reveals that God is not a God of randomness but of absolute order, pattern, and time.

Final Thought:

Just as Matthew 1:17 shows three sets of 14 generations, history is moving toward its ultimate fulfillment in Christ’s return. The last age of man (represented by 6) is coming to its completion (7), leading into the new beginning (8) of God’s eternal kingdom. The divine pattern continues, and we are part of God’s grand design.

for the number 2 it represents revival and sanctification, as seen in Hosea 6:2: “After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” This verse underscores the theme of restoration and spiritual renewal associated with the number 2. Additionally, this passage also highlights the number 3, as it emphasizes God’s power to raise on the third day, reinforcing the theme of resurrection and divine perfection.”After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.” This verse underscores the theme of restoration and spiritual renewal associated with the number 2.

These deep revelations allow us to see the deep characteristics of God revealed so that we can admire him, know him, respect him, fear Him and most of all love him with all our hearts. We serve a great big mighty God whose intention is for us to unite and know who He is.