Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - 3000

                                         3000

As with the number 7, there are times when numbers are repeated in Scripture in an apparent purposeful manner. For example, the number 3000, or an approximation of that number, appears about 24 times in the Bible. It is comprised of the number 3 which represents divine completeness or perfection as well as the triune nature of God, followed by the three 0’s which apparently refer to lack of boundaries, divine abundance, and fulfillment of God’s provisions. The same number can also signify God’s blessings, and conversely, God’s judgement and as well may also give reference to God’s means to spread His message to others.

Perhaps the most important example of the significance of this number is in the following two instances. First, when Moses led the Hebrew people out of Egypt and subsequently went up to the mountain to meet with God. The Israelites, led by Arron, rebelled and built for themselves a golden calf to worship in Moses’ absence.

Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, 

the people gathered together to Aaron…

(who) received gold from their hand…

and made a molded calf. Then they said ‘This is your god, O Israel…’

(Exodus 32:1,4)

When Moses returned to the camp, after having come down from the mountain, his “anger became hot” (Exodus 32:19) and he separated those who were on the side of God from those who no longer were and had the former slay the latter.

And about three thousand fell that day.
(Exodus 32:28)

Approximately 1200 years later, and roughly about the same time of year, the disciples were gathered in one place (apparently in the upper room). Here they were, at the same time, all filled with the Holy Spirit as a sound emanated from Heaven. This caused a large number of people to gather and who were spoken to in their own language. Peter spoke and said that this was what was referred to by the prophet Joel. And after, Peter spoke and called for repentance:

…those who gladly received his word were baptized; 

and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

(Acts 2:41)

So, at the time when the law (the Ten Commandments) was given about three thousand people lost their lives. Then, about 1200 years or so later, with the coming of the Holy Spirit, about the same number of persons were made alive. For as the Bible states:

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins… 

(Ephesians 2:1)

Thus, right from the start, the law which was to point out our sin and shortcomings resulted in the death of many, whereas the Spirit of God resulted in the salvation of the same number. Was the number three thousand as mentioned just a random figure? Not likely considering the meaning of the number as related above. The number does refer to God’s blessings, divine abundance and God’s judgements and all without boundaries. Hence, it refers to everyone. Paul also refers to the same when he stated:

 

And have such trust through Christ toward God.

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being

from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who made us

sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of 

the Spirit, for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 

(2 Corinthians 3:4-6)

The letter of the law kills but the Spirit gives life. It is something to think about.