Number Four

From: The Numerals Of Scripture By: Edward C. Pressland

• 24 min. read • grade level: 10

Matthew. Mark. Luke. John.

These 4 gospels are together the complete history of our Lord's life on earth; and the nature and aim of the 4-fold record is the display of that blessed life to us.

But if we attempt as has been done, some consecutive re-arrangement of the parts of each of these four so as to form a blended and chronological (it may be) whole, we shall then lose the true character of the picture each writer was inspired to give. Matthew's special fittedness for convicting Jewish mind (see his two-fold witness as noted above as an instance of this specialty) is lost; the chain of Mark's untiring Servant-labors is broken into detached, and therefore ineffective, links; Luke is robbed of its universality; and the Heavenly One of John is no longer distinguishable through the mixture with a mass of additional facts. The paragraphs of a "Harmony" are true enough, yet the wisdom of the Spirit's order is set aside and the intended power, as well as beauty, of the fourfold display is altogether missed.

This suggests a character of completeness as belonging to number 4.

"The four winds from the four quarters of heaven" in Jer. 49:36³⁶And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come. (Jeremiah 49:36). "The four quarters of the earth" (Rev. 20:8⁸And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (Revelation 20:8)), and the river divided into 4 heads (Gen. 2:10¹⁰And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. (Genesis 2:10)) to water the garden; the 4 watches of the night in Mark 13:35³⁵Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: (Mark 13:35). The 4 corners of the sheet (Acts 10:11¹¹And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: (Acts 10:11)). "Breadth, and length, and depth, and height" (Eph. 3:18¹⁸May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (Ephesians 3:18)). These all embracing the entirety of the thing in each case confirm the suggestion above made.

It may seem that this trenches somewhat on the widely accepted thought of perfection seen in number seven. Seven, however, is more mystical and heavenly in its connections, while 4 is rather for earth and is finite and often manifest.

A comparison of the uses of these numbers in Rev. 5 may show their difference. In v. 11-12, the angels and the living ones and the elders, the unlimited multitudes of heaven say, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing"; i.e. a sevenfold ascription is made by heavenly hosts; while in the next verse, where the creatures "on the earth and under the earth, and such as are in the sea and all that are in them" join in the praise, then the ascription is 4-fold only. "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever."

The special symbol of the display, presently, of the glorified saints to the earth "descending out of heaven from God" the new Jerusalem, the bride, the Lamb's wife is in shape a cube, or square every way.

So, too, with the holiest of all, the material expression of the third heaven set up on earth, it was twenty cubits long by twenty cubits wide and twenty cubits high, a square and cubic (1 Kings 6:20²⁰And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar. (1 Kings 6:20)). The brazen altar, at which is the display of Divine judgment (fire) is 4 sided, with 4 horns specially to display the memorial of atonement made. The golden altar also was 4-sided, and with 4 horns for the same purpose.

This number as significant of completeness displayed on earth, will be found in many features of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness, for there it was that God arranged a system of material witnesses to the beauty and fullness of Christ. Referring to it, Heb. 10:5, 6⁵Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: ⁶In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. (Hebrews 10:5‑6) (as also Psa. 40), classes the sacrifices as of 4 characters "Sacrifice" (i.e., peace offering) "and offering" (meat offering) "thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure."

And this leads us to a frequent feature of number 4, viz., the difference often to be seen between one of its items and the other 3. Thus, the burnt offering, peace offering and sin offering were animals killed, but the meat offering of flour, &c., had neither life nor blood.

The meat offering was either (1) baked in the oven, (2) baked on the flat plate, (3) baked on the frying pan, or (4) not baked at all (Lev. 2).

The sin offering has 4 characters in Lev. 4: one is collective, i.e., for the whole congregation (v. 13) and the other 3 are personal, i.e., for "the priest that is anointed" (v. 3), for the ruler (v. 22) and for the common person (v. 27). (These are different somewhat from the grades (often called so) of the burnt offering in Ch. 1, any of which might be offered by the same person.) The materials of which the Tabernacle was constructed are 4: three metals (gold, silver and brass) and the 4th was shittim wood.

The flexible materials also were 4: three are from animals (goats' hair, rams' skins and badgers' skins) and one is vegetable (the fine twined linen).

The decorations of the linen curtains and of the veil are 4: three colors (blue, purple and scarlet) and the 4th a form cherubim.

The garments of glory and beauty worn by the high priest are 4: the coat, the robe of the ephod, and the ephod upon his body, and the miter on his head (Ex. 28), while the decorations of the ephod are blue, purple and scarlet, but the fourth is of gold.

Four vessels were each made of two materials: three of wood and gold (ark, golden altar and table) and one of brass and wood (the brazen altar).

The incense was of 4 spices: stacte, onycha, galbanum (not used elsewhere) and frankincense (which was used otherwise constantly).

The anointing oil was 4 spices compounded with oil.

The camp itself was divided under 4 standards, pitched to east, west, north and south. The Levites were divided into 4: the priests at the court gate and Gershon, Kohath and Merari on its three other sides, the 4-fold thus embracing the whole.

In the building itself 48 boards are employed: the number of Israel's tribes (twelve) 4 times over, an exhibition of the people before God in complete blessing, as covered each and all with gold.

The distinct character of one out of the 4 is seen in the greater number of instances through the Scriptures; yet as the one is not of the same character throughout, it is not clear what the meaning of the division is.

Thus Noah sent out from the ark first a raven (an unclean bird) and then three times a dove.

But in Ezek. 37:6⁶And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 37:6) in the valley of dry bones, sinews were put on them, then flesh, then skin, but breath in them, which last was precious vital energy.

The manna was to sight small, white and round, and to taste it was sweet (Ex. 16:14, 31¹⁴And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. (Exodus 16:14)
³¹And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. (Exodus 16:31)).

In Jotham's parable (Judg. 9), the olive, fig, and vine are valuable trees, but the bramble is wild only.

The Egyptians (Gen. 47:18¹⁸When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands: (Genesis 47:18)) gave their money, cattle and lands to Pharaoh and then themselves.

The Lord was not in the wind, earthquake or fire, but in the still, small voice (1 Kings 19:11-12¹¹And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: ¹²And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11‑12)).

The camp of Israel was common ground and the 3 holies (the court or holy place, the holy and the most holy) were separate from it figure of earth and three heavens.

Twelve Princes of Israel are mentioned on 4 different occasions and not again, but the first time in Num. 1 it is in a different order from the other three, which are alike in order, viz., in Num. 2;7;10.

(Note, by the way, that often as the twelve tribes are enumerated, it is always in a varied order, save in the above three chapters, Num. 2, 7 and 10. These three are in the same order and no two others are alike.)

In Amos 1 and 2 it is written "for three transgressions. . . and for four I will not turn away the punishment thereof." And in Prov. 30 "Three things... yea four" is several times repeated.

The prophet's chamber was furnished with a bed, a table, a stool and a candlestick to illuminate the rest (2 Kings 4:10¹⁰Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. (2 Kings 4:10)).

The kiss first, then the best robe, the ring and the shoes were the prodigal's welcome (Luke 15).

The seven green withes, new ropes, and woven locks were of no value to restrain Samson, but shave his head and he is powerless (Judg. 16).

The image of jealousy, incense to abominable things, weeping for Tammuz and worshipping the sun filled up the picture of Judah's wickedness (Ezek. 8).

In detail, he who had built a house, or planted a vineyard, or betrothed a wife, was excused from going to war; but general exception was also made of the fearful and fainthearted (Deut. 20:58).

In Jonah 1:8⁸Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou? (Jonah 1:8) the seamen make a 4-fold inquiry of the prophet, which we may profitably apply to ourselves: they ask of him an explanation of the evil that has come upon them and then put him 4 questions to discover his qualities and antecedents. "What is thine occupation?" Every servant of the Lord may challenge himself: is my business an honest trade for a necessary use (see Titus 3:14¹⁴And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. (Titus 3:14), marg.)? 2nd. "Whence comest thou?" Do I start from Gilgal? i.e., Do I go forth in the judgment of self by circumcision (as Israel from their camping place) according to the power of resurrection life, the Canaan side of Jordan? 3rd. "What is thy country?" Am I a heavenly man or an earthly one? (John 17:16¹⁶They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:16), Phil. 3:20²⁰For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20).) 4th. "And of what people art thou?" Where do I break bread?

John's gospel is of a character very distinct from the other three and its scene is chiefly found in Galilee, the three are more at Jerusalem.

Into Nebuchadnezzar's furnace, the king cast three men and said, "Lo, I see four men loose... and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God" (Dan. 3:25²⁵He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. (Daniel 3:25)).

In the 4 kingdoms of Dan. 7, the first was seen as a lion, the 2nd a bear, the 3rd a leopard, but the 4th was dreadful and terrible and "diverse from all the beasts that were before it," and without a name.

In Jer. 8:7⁷Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord. (Jeremiah 8:7), "the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming." Why is the stork separately mentioned?

In Acts 2:42⁴²And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42), "the apostles' doctrine and fellowship" and "breaking of bread," are things between man and man while the 4th "prayers" is from man to God.

Four sons were born to the giant in Gath, Ishbibenob, Sippai (or Saph) and Lahmi, but the fourth has no name recorded while he is distinguished by having six fingers and six toes (compare 2 Sam. 21:16-22¹⁶And Ishbi-benob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. ¹⁷But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succored him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel. ¹⁸And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant. ¹⁹And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. ²⁰And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant. ²¹And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him. ²²These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants. (2 Samuel 21:16‑22) and 1 Chron. 20:4-8⁴And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued. ⁵And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver's beam. ⁶And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot: and he also was the son of the giant. ⁷But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother slew him. ⁸These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants. (1 Chronicles 20:4‑8).)

Solomon is said to be wiser than 4 men, all being sons of Mahol and descended from Zerah or Ezra in the tribe of Judah (1 Chron. 2:6⁶And the sons of Zerah; Zimri, and Ethan, and Heman, and Calcol, and Dara: five of them in all. (1 Chronicles 2:6)); yet Ethan is styled "the Ezrahite" and the others are simply mentioned by name (1 Kings 4:31³¹For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. (1 Kings 4:31)). Why?

In Joel 1:4⁴That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten. (Joel 1:4), complete destruction is by three insects that creep palmerworm, cankerworm, and caterpillar and one that also flies, the locust.

There were 4 animals that were prohibited because they were unclean (Lev. 11:4-7⁴Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. ⁵And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. ⁶And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. ⁷And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. (Leviticus 11:4‑7)): camel, hare and coney for the same reasons, each chewing the cud, but not dividing the hoof; and the 4th the swine, for a different reason: he divided the hoof, but did not chew the cud (Deut. 14:7, 8⁷Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you. ⁸And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase. (Deuteronomy 14:7‑8)).

In the parable of the sower, hearers by "the way side," "the stony ground," and among "thorns" are very clearly distinct from those who are as "good ground" (Matt. 13).

The "glory of Lebanon" is by such a title, distinguished from "the fir tree, the pine tree and the box" (Isa. 60:13¹³The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious. (Isaiah 60:13)).

The Lord God "showed" to Amos 4 things. Three were distinct objects: grasshoppers, a plumbline, and a basket of summer fruit, but the 4th was that the Lord God called to contend by fire (Amos 7:1,4,7¹Thus hath the Lord God showed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings. (Amos 7:1)
⁴Thus hath the Lord God showed unto me: and, behold, the Lord God called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part. (Amos 7:4)
⁷Thus he showed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. (Amos 7:7) and 8:1).

The complete devastation of Moab was to be by felling every good tree, stopping all wells, marring every good piece of land with stones, and smiting every fenced city and every choice city (2 Kings 3:19¹⁹And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones. (2 Kings 3:19)).

Mordecai was displayed on the king's horse in the royal apparel and wearing the royal crown, but also he was to be led through the city by the hand of one of the king's most noble princes (Esther 6:8-10⁸Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: ⁹And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honor, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor. ¹⁰Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. (Esther 6:8‑10)).

Four "houses" for God on earth are described in the Word: the Tabernacle, Solomon's temple, and Ezekiel's temple, material erections, and now the "spiritual house" (1 Peter 2:5⁵Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)).

The Shepherd's care "maketh me to lie down in green pastures," "leadeth me beside the still waters," "restoreth my soul," and "leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake" (Psa. 23).

In Luke 10:4⁴Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. (Luke 10:4), the seventy are to "carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes, and salute no man by the way."

God's 4 sore judgments in Ezek. 14:21²¹For thus saith the Lord God; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? (Ezekiel 14:21) are the sword, the famine, the pestilence, and 1 living one, "the noisome beast," while in Jer. 15:3³And I will appoint over them four kinds, saith the Lord: the sword to slay, and the dogs to tear, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the earth, to devour and destroy. (Jeremiah 15:3) three of the 4 kinds appointed to devour and destroy are living: dogs, fowls and beasts, and the 4th is the sword.

Four kinds of flesh are given in 1 Cor. 15:39³⁹All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. (1 Corinthians 15:39): of beasts, of fishes, of birds, and of man. In v. 40, 41 are 4 glories: one, the terrestrial, not detailed, and three celestial, the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Again, the body is sown in corruption, dishonor, weakness, and is raised in incorruption, glory, power; also, "it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body" (1 Cor. 15:42-44⁴²So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: ⁴³It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: ⁴⁴It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42‑44)).

In Rev. 4, the cherubic faces are 4: of a lion, calf, eagle and of a man.

Of places: Jordan the river is distinct from Bethel, Gilgal and Jericho in 2 Kings 2. So Ramah, where Samuel dwelt, is distinct from Bethel, Gilgal, Mizpah, which he visited (1 Sam. 7:16-17¹⁶And he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places. ¹⁷And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the Lord. (1 Samuel 7:16‑17)). Euphrates also, still so named, is distinct from Pison, Gihon and Hiddekel (Gen. 2).

Of the 4 sides to the court of Ezekiel's Temple, one (the West) has no gate, the other three have.

Heaven is opened three times (Matt. 3:16¹⁶And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: (Matthew 3:16), John 1:51⁵¹And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. (John 1:51), and Rev. 19:11¹¹And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11)) for the Lord personally, and once (Acts 7:56⁵⁶And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (Acts 7:56)) for Stephen to see the Lord.

Jehoshaphat took three days to spoil Ammon and a 4th day to bless Jehovah (2 Chron. 20:25-26²⁵And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much. ²⁶And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day. (2 Chronicles 20:25‑26)).

Balaam smote his ass three times, and a 4th time he wanted a sword and would have killed her (Num. 22).

The depth of the waters in Ezek. 47 is measurable three times (to ankles, knees, loins), the 4th time it is beyond measure: "to swim in."

God's glory is seen in the heavens (Psa. 19:1¹<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork. (Psalm 19:1)) in Moses' face (Ex. 34:30³⁰And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. (Exodus 34:30) and 2 Cor. 3:7⁷But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: (2 Corinthians 3:7)), in the holiest (both of Tabernacle and Temple) and in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6⁶For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)).

"Unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me" (Ex. 20:5⁵Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; (Exodus 20:5), Deut. 5:9⁹Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, (Deuteronomy 5:9), see also Ex. 34:7⁷Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (Exodus 34:7) and Num. 14:18¹⁸The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. (Numbers 14:18)).

Mark what is said in Neh. 4 by adversaries, by Judah, by outside Jews, and the opposite by Nehemiah.

There are 4 witnesses to Christ in John 5 (John the Baptist, Works, Scriptures, and the Father; see v. 32, 33, 36, 37, 39).

We are justified by grace (Rom. 3:24²⁴Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:24)), by faith (Rom. 3:28²⁸Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28)), by blood (5:9) and by works (James 2:24²⁴Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (James 2:24)).

When "the whole land shall be desolate," Jeremiah in view of it (Ch. 4:2326) says, "I beheld" etc. 4 times, the 4 views giving the complete spectacle.

Four anchors were cast out (Acts 27:29²⁹Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. (Acts 27:29)); was not this to ensure safety if possible? a complete action?

Zaccheus restored fourfold (Luke 19:8⁸And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. (Luke 19:8)).

Ezekiel's cherubim are 4 creatures, 4 rings, each with 4 hands, 4 wings, 4 faces and 4 sides (query: government complete as to earth?).

In the prophet Zechariah Ch. 1 are 4 horns, and then 4 carpenters: 4 Gentile powers which have scattered God's nation, frayed away by the carpenters. Then again in Ch. 6 are 4 chariots, and horses of 4 colors: the spirits of the heavens acting for God in the midst of the 4 Gentile powers. Babylon had then been subdued by Persia, so that "my spirit" was "quieted" in the north country. Here, 4 appears to express completeness as to the sphere of action. See Rev. 6.

The 4 parables of Balaam (Num. 23 and 24) are a remarkable chain of prophecy, opening with counsels of God, and closing with millennial blessing.

The fowl, the vulture's eye, the lion's whelps, and the fierce lion stand in Job 28 as a complete set of witnesses to nature's inability to discover wisdom.

Signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost are God's fourfold witness in Heb. 2:4⁴God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (Hebrews 2:4).

Thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers are the division of "all things created" in Col. 1:16¹⁶For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16).

"Troubled," "perplexed," "persecuted," "cast down" present the scope of pressure the apostle had felt in 2 Cor. 4:8,9⁸We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; (2 Corinthians 4:8‑9).

In Isa. 60:17¹⁷For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. (Isaiah 60:17), the fullness of material blessing is presented by the 4-fold statement "for brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones, iron."

There are 4 occasions on which the rainbow is mentioned (Gen. 9, Ezek. 1:28²⁸As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. (Ezekiel 1:28), Rev. 4:3³And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. (Revelation 4:3) and 10:1).

Streams, rivers, ponds, and pools include all the waters of Egypt (Ex. 7:19¹⁹And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. (Exodus 7:19)). Silver cord, golden bowl, pitcher and wheel fill up the figure of the body in Eccl. 12:6⁶Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. (Ecclesiastes 12:6). Four bare the paralytic. Jehovah called Samuel 4 times. Jephthah's daughter was mourned 4 days in a year (Judg. 11:40⁴⁰That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year. (Judges 11:40)). Four lepers at Samaria's gate fully told the state inside (2 Kings 7:3³And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? (2 Kings 7:3)). There were 4 soldiers in charge of the cross (John 19:23²³Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. (John 19:23)). In these cases, no one seems distinct from three.

Four prophetesses are mentioned in the Old Testament: Miriam (Ex. 15:20²⁰And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. (Exodus 15:20)), Deborah (Judg. 4:4⁴And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. (Judges 4:4)), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14¹⁴So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. (2 Kings 22:14)), three good, and one bad, Noadiah (Neh. 6:14¹⁴My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear. (Nehemiah 6:14)).

Rev. 20:2²And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, (Revelation 20:2) gives 4 names to Satan: "dragon" (i.e., rebellious, apostate power), "Old serpent" (seductive), "devil" (accusing), and "Satan" (a personal name).

Four Kings are mentioned in the book of Daniel: Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, Belshazzar, and Darius.

Saul and his three sons were slain together (1 Sam. 31:6⁶So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armorbearer, and all his men, that same day together. (1 Samuel 31:6)).

Jubal, Jabal, Tubalcain (three sons) and Naamah (one daughter) are the children of Lamech (Gen. 5).

Daniel is distinct from Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Elihu is distinct from Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar.

Ruth is distinct from Thamar, Rachab, and the wife of Urias in Matt. 1.

"His mother" is distinct from her sister, the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene at the cross (see John 19:25²⁵Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. (John 19:25)).

In 1 Kings 2, Solomon deals in judgment with four remnants from David's reign: Adonijah, Joab, and Shimei die, but Abiathar is put from his priesthood and banished to his own fields.

Korah is distinct from Dathan, Abiram and On (Num. 16).

Levi is distinct from David, Nathan, Shimei in Zech. 12:12-13¹²And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; ¹³The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; (Zechariah 12:12‑13), as a tribe.

Lot and two daughters escape, but his wife is turned into a pillar of salt (Gen. 19).

Noah is distinct from Shem, Ham and Japheth in the ark.

In Dan. 11:2²And now will I show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia. (Daniel 11:2), there shall yet stand up three kings in Persia and "the fourth shall be far richer than they all."

Four houses were built by Solomon, one of them was the house of the Temple (see 1 Kings 6:37, 7:1, 2,8).

Four persons were killed by smiting under the fifth rib, one a king (Ishbosheth, 2 Sam. 4:6⁶And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. (2 Samuel 4:6)) and three generals (Asahel, 2 Sam. 2:23²³Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still. (2 Samuel 2:23), Abner, 2 Sam. 3:27²⁷And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. (2 Samuel 3:27), and Amasa, 2 Sam. 20:10¹⁰But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. (2 Samuel 20:10)).

There were 4 kings to each of whom God made an offer of choice: three of them were men of faith and made a choice (viz. David, 1 Chron. 21:11¹¹So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Choose thee (1 Chronicles 21:11), Solomon, 1 Kings 3:5⁵In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. (1 Kings 3:5), Hezekiah, 2 Kings 20:9⁹And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees? (2 Kings 20:9)) but the 4th was an infidel and he refused to choose: "Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD" (Isa. 7:12¹²But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. (Isaiah 7:12)). In the prophet's message to him from Jehovah, he had just been told, "If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established," or, more literally, "if ye will not amen (God) surely ye shall not be amened," i.e.,' if you will not set to your seal that God is true, He will not establish you in His grace.' The two things go together. Now man says you are presumptuous because you believe, but it is really faith which delights to take up what God says and enjoys it. It is unbelief that says, "I will not tempt Jehovah," as Ahaz did. If you will not say amen to God, He will not say amen to you.

Another 4 of some value is the 4 generations of Israel. They are found in the following passages. 1st, Ex. 1:6⁶And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. (Exodus 1:6), "Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation." 2nd, Deut. 1:35³⁵Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers, (Deuteronomy 1:35), "an evil generation" was consumed in the wilderness (Num. 32:13¹³And the Lord's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the Lord, was consumed. (Numbers 32:13) and Deut. 2:14¹⁴And the space in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the Lord sware unto them. (Deuteronomy 2:14)). The third goes into Canaan and dies in Judg. 2:10¹⁰And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10), where also a fourth arises "which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel." This fourth has not yet passed away, it is nowhere recorded to have died. It is addressed (Jer. 7:29²⁹Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the Lord hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath. (Jeremiah 7:29)) as rejected and forsaken, "the generation of His wrath." Our Lord calls it "an evil and adulterous generation" (Matt. 12:39³⁹But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: (Matthew 12:39)), but in Scripture it has not yet died. On the contrary (Luke 21:32³²Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. (Luke 21:32)), our Lord says of it (still the same "seed of evildoers" in God's sight), "Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled," and that "all" includes much not yet fulfilled. But the 4th will end, and Jehovah shall build Zion, etc. and "this shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise Jah" (Psa. 102:18¹⁸This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. (Psalm 102:18)).

In the Old Testament, 4 are recorded as bound with brass: three of them were not released (Samson, Judg. 16:21²¹But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house. (Judges 16:21), Jehoiachim, 2 Chron. 36:6⁶Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon. (2 Chronicles 36:6) New Transl., Zedekiah, 2 Kings 25:7⁷And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon. (2 Kings 25:7), Jer. 39:7, 52:11), but Manasseh (2 Chron. 33:11¹¹Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. (2 Chronicles 33:11) New Transl.) was afterward set at liberty.

In the Old Testament, 4 persons had their names changed by God: three of them in blessing (Abram to Abraham, Gen. 17:5⁵Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. (Genesis 17:5), Sarai to Sarah, Gen. 17:15¹⁵And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. (Genesis 17:15), and Jacob to Israel, Gen. 32:28, 35:10), but the fourth was changed in token of judgment (Pashur to Magormissabib, Jer. 20:3³And it came to pass on the morrow, that Pashur brought forth Jeremiah out of the stocks. Then said Jeremiah unto him, The Lord hath not called thy name Pashur, but Magor-missabib. (Jeremiah 20:3)).

Four "heaps" of stones are also recorded: three were over dead men (Achan, the king of Ai, and Absalom: Josh. 7:26, 8:29, 2 Sam. 18:17¹⁷And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent. (2 Samuel 18:17)) and the fourth was erected as a heap of witness between two living men (Jacob and Laban: Gen. 31:46-49⁴⁶And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap. ⁴⁷And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. ⁴⁸And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed; ⁴⁹And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. (Genesis 31:46‑49)).

Four wild animals were killed in the Old Testament: three were lions: by Samson (Judg. 14:6⁶And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. (Judges 14:6)), by David (1 Sam. 17:36³⁶Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. (1 Samuel 17:36)), where also it is recorded that he slew a bear—the fourth and different one—and the third lion was by Benaiah in a pit in time of snow (2 Sam. 23:20²⁰And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow: (2 Samuel 23:20)).

The Passover lamb was taken on the tenth day of the month and kept up until the fourteenth day of the month and then killed. What do those 4 days say to us about Christ our Passover? He who was manifested in time had been ordained before the foundation of the world, and the 4 days may well illustrate His life during His manifestation, wherein He was proven before God and man, the Holy One, perfectly able to do the work of the cross, and do it suitably to God.

Our Lord's public ministry entered into a fourth year, a complete display in public activity of what He essentially was. The 4 gospels tell their blessed story "and there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written" (John 21:25²⁵And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. (John 21:25)).

Oh Man! God's Man, Thou peerless Man!
Jesus my Lord! God's Son.
Perfection's perfect in its height
But found in Thee alone.
Of Abba's love,—of God's great claims
Thou comest not short at all.
Perfect in everything art Thou,
Alone, since Adam's fall.
O, matchless peerless Man! shall we
Begrudge to Thee this praise?
Perfect alone, Thou camest in love
To glory us to raise.
Peerlessly spotless Man, 'twas Thou
The wrath didst bear for me.
Peerlessly righteous Man! I'm made
God's righteousness in Thee.
Peerlessly glorious Man! how soon
Shall I be like to Thee?
Thy very glory then reflect,
Thy perfect beauty see.

G.V.W.

This display of His person through 4 years is closed by that sacrificial death, which we have already seen bore a fourfold character shown out in the types of old, and now as the ascended and glorified Man, we have 4 Scriptures respecting Him as Mediator. Observe first, however, that His Mediatorship is not for the purpose of accomplishing atonement, or of establishing the new ways of God to man in opening up the Holiest for our entrance. But the law "was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator" (Gal. 3:19¹⁹Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. (Galatians 3:19)). There it pleased God to make covenant with Israel and the mediator was between two. On the contrary now in grace, "God is one" and sovereign; therefore, He has revealed righteousness from heaven for gift; it is not a conditional action of God: it is the eternal purpose, founded in grace and now able to reign through righteousness by the accomplished cross, declared to man unconditionally. No mediator is needed to establish this; it is God's sovereign appointment for Himself to act in grace purely: "God is one."

But this being so, we read in 1 Tim. 2:5⁵For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (1 Timothy 2:5), "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." What for? Why a mediator? To administer the already established way of grace. So (Heb. 12:24²⁴And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Hebrews 12:24)), we are assured that we are now come to Jesus this mediator; we are no more brought to law and to blackness, tempest, and terror, but among other privileges to Him, who administers the new covenant; and then, in Heb. 8:6⁶But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. (Hebrews 8:6), it is said that Christ's is the "more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant." We are brought to the "better" thing and to Him who is its mediator. Again, Why? What for? The 4th and final statement respecting it is ample answer: Heb. 9:15¹⁵And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15). "And for this cause, he is the mediator of the New Testament, that... they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." God has put Him in the place of mediator, who had already been the sacrifice. Why? That there should be no possibility of failure in communicating the blessing earned by the cross.

He who had borne Divine judgment to make atonement, and had shed His blood to bring us to God, when all that is settled, is constituted mediator "for this cause," viz. that the promise of eternal inheritance might be surely received by "the called." And who else so certain to make it good? Every assurance that God can give is given: His own promise and added oath (Heb. 6:17,18¹⁷Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: ¹⁸That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: (Hebrews 6:17‑18)) and then a mediator who had previously given Himself a ransom for all. Surely, God is not only Himself glorified, but He has done everything in infinite wisdom to bring home to our hearts while still on earth the brightest sense of present and eternal blessing.

"Full assurance" is 4 times spoken of in the New Testament (Heb. 10:22²²Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22), "full assurance of faith," Heb. 6:11¹¹And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: (Hebrews 6:11), "full assurance of hope," Col. 2:2²That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (Colossians 2:2), "full assurance of understanding," and in 1 Thess. 1:5⁵For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5), "in much assurance" is literally "in much full assurance").

In the Old Testament also, there appear to be only 4 persons whose hearts are spoken of not the affections but, the physical organ of the body. Three of these are in death and one in life (1 Sam. 25:37³⁷But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. (1 Samuel 25:37), Nabal's "heart died within him" etc., 2 Sam. 18:14¹⁴Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. (2 Samuel 18:14), Joab thrust three darts through Absalom's heart, 2 Kings 9:24²⁴And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot. (2 Kings 9:24), Jehu's arrow through Jehoram's heart, while Ex. 28:29²⁹And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually. (Exodus 28:29) speaks of Aaron's heart as the place of the breastplate continually).

Samson, Samuel, John the Baptist were Nazarites in letter of law; our Lord in perfection of heart.

"Christ Jesus, who, of God, is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor. 1:30³⁰But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)).