Number in Scripture

Just like names, numbers are important in Scripture. They represent God's Plan of Redemption for mankind.

Some of this information has been taken from Number in Scripture by E.W. Bullinger

Close X

What Happened at the Fall?

For more detailed information on the Fall and Redemption see the Healing and Childbirth without Fear chapters in www.godsplanforpregnancy.com or the Experiencing Healing Chapter in my new book It is Finished – transforming your life through the finished work of the Cross www.itisfinishedbook.com

Close X

Jesus, our Great High Priest

Before I cover Jesus let us first look at the role of Eli’s as the priest in Shilo.

The Role of the Priest

The priest would draw near to God and minister on behalf of the people. He is responsible for offering the sacrifices, performing all the ceremonies relating to worship, and for being a mediator between God and man.

Under the Law the people were required to bring their sacrifices and offerings to the priest in the tabernacle. They would go through the gate of the tabernacle with their sacrifice and stop at the bronze altar (note that bronze represents judgment). This is as far as they could go in approaching God. Beyond this point the priests would go on their behalf and carry out what was required in the Holy Place. They did this as representatives for all the people.

The Priests duties fell under three main categories:

• Service: The priests ministered in the sanctuary, which at this time was the tabernacle, but when Israel became a settled nation it would be the temple.

• Teaching: The priests were responsible for teaching the people the law of God.

• Prayer: The priests were responsible to seek God’s will and to pray for guidance for the nation of Israel.

Note: The Priests were also required to wear special clothing whenever they were in attendance at the altar or entered the Holy Place. Their clothing had to be clean and pure before they could approach God.

Jesus our High Priest!

Eli and the priests under The Law were ‘a type’ (or shadow) of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is our perfect, high priest:

1) Jesus is appointed and chosen by God (Heb 5:5)
2) He is consecrated with an oath (Heb 7:20-22)
3) He is sinless (Heb 7:26)
4) His priesthood is unchangeable and continues forever (Heb 7:23-24)
5) His offering is perfect and final (Heb 9:25-28)
6) He Intercedes continually because His blood always cries out ‘not guilty’. (Heb 7:24-25)
7) He is the only mediator (1 Tim 2:5)

Heb 2:16-18 (Amp) For, as we all know, He [Christ] did not take hold of angels the fallen angels, to give them a helping and delivering hand], but He did take hold of [the fallen] descendants of Abraham [to reach out to them a helping and delivering hand]. 17So it is evident that it was essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful (sympathetic) and faithful High Priest in the things related to God, to make atonement and propitiation for the people's sins. 18For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering].

Heb 4:14-16 (NKJV) Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 9:11-12 (NKJV) But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Close X

Penninah
(Precious Stone or Stumbling stone?)

1 Pet 2:4-9 (NIV) As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone," 8 and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Peninnah’s name means Precious stone.

Jesus was a precious stone – a cornerstone that the builders rejected. The Jews and the teachers of the law rejected Him.

Hannah’s barrenness did not make her husband despise or reject her because He loved her and gave her a double portion. This antagonised Peninnah! Hannah (Grace) was given a double portion. She was loved.

Peninnah already had children (inheritance) but she despised grace (Hannah). She was a rival to grace! The precious stone (Peninnah) was a stumbling stone to God’s grace and favour (Hannah)!

The Law is dependant on man’s self effort, and merit. This is works based righteousness because it hinges on your performance; on your ability to keep the law. But Grace is a free provision of Jesus performance; on His ability of what He has freely purchased for you! Jesus came to reveal that righteousness ONLY comes by faith, (by believing in Jesus finished work) and not by good works, or on your performance or ability to keep the law.

To those under the law Jesus (the precious stone) became a stumbling stone and they could not receive God’s free gift of Jesus sacrifice. Those under the law opposed God’s Grace.

Tyndale Bible Dictionary says: PENINNAH was one of Elkanah’s two wives, the other and more favored being Hannah (1 Sm 1:2–6). Peninnah’s fortune in bearing children was the source of much domestic friction for the childless Hannah, especially at the time of the annual sacrifice at Shiloh. Rabbinic tradition explains Peninnah’s taunts as attempts to provoke Hannah into pregnancy, but the biblical record portrays the women as rivals.

Both Peninnah (precious stone) and Hannah (grace) represent God’s goodness, the Old and New Covenants (law and grace) and are a type of Christ! Peninnah was supposed to provoke Hannah in a good way BUT instead she ended up being her rival! This happened to the Jews. The Law was only a tutor to lead them (provoke them) into grace (free provision of righteousness by faith not by works) BUT instead Jesus (Grace) became a stumbling stone.

Note Abraham also had 2 wives; Sarah and Hagar. One represented the law and the other grace (the slave, or bond woman and the free woman). They also both represent the 2 Covenants; one a slave, bound by works under the Old Covenant of law and the other a free woman where provision is freely given by God’s grace.

Precious Stone Scriptures

Isaiah 28:16-17 (NKJV) Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “ Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily. 17 Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place.

1 Cor 3:11-13 (Amp) For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 12But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done.

Stumbling Stone Scriptures

Isaiah 8:13-14 (Amp) The Lord of hosts--regard Him as holy and honor His holy name [by regarding Him as your only hope of safety], and let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread [lest you offend Him by your fear of man and distrust of Him]. 14And He shall be a sanctuary [a sacred and indestructible asylum to those who reverently fear and trust in Him]; but He shall be a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Rom 9:30-33 (Amp) … That Gentiles who did not follow after righteousness [who did not seek salvation by right relationship to God] have attained it by faith [a righteousness imputed by God, based on and produced by faith], 31Whereas Israel, though ever in pursuit of a law [for the securing] of righteousness (right standing with God), actually did not succeed in fulfilling the Law. 32For what reason? Because [they pursued it] not through faith, relying [instead] on the merit of their works [they did not depend on faith but on what they could do]. They have stumbled over the Stumbling Stone.33As it is written, Behold I am laying in Zion a Stone that will make men stumble, a Rock that will make them fall; but he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall not be put to shame nor be disappointed in his expectations.

Close X