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The number twelve speaks of governmental perfection or rule. The sun which "rules" the day, and the moon and stars which "govern" the night, do so by their passage through the twelve signs of the Zodiac which complete the great circle of the heavens of 360 degrees (12 x 30) which govern the year.
As a symbol, twelve is one of the perfect numbers in the Bible mainly because of the twelve tribes of Israel. Saying the "twelve tribes of Israel" has a double meaning. The tribes are the sons of Jacob whose name was changed to Israel when he wrestled with God. Also, the tribes are of Israel, the nation. Many things in the Bible acknowledge and are patterned after the twelve tribes.
Twelve
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him. (Genesis 49:28)
Following the exodus, Moses built twelve pillars on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:4). Twelve spies were sent to spy out the land (Deuteronomy 1:23). Twelve stones were set as a memorial after crossing the Jordan River (Joshua 4:3). Twelve stones were attached to the breastplate of the priestly garments bearing the names of the twelve tribes (Exodus 39:8-14). The temple involved twelve in its measurements and furnishings.
The New Testament records the number twelve many times.
- Jesus speaks His first words in the Bible at the age of twelve (Luke 2:42).
- Later, He chooses twelve disciples patterned after the twelve tribes of Israel.
- Twelve baskets of fragments were collected after Jesus fed the five thousand (Mark 6:43).
- The Book of Revelation says there are twelve gates to the city, twelve angels as gatekeepers and the names of the twelve tribes written on the gates. The gates are twelve pearls and the wall will be on twelve foundations which bear the names of the twelve apostles. The measurements of the New Jerusalem also involve the number twelve in its measurements.
The number twelve as the perfect governmental number rule within our own society. That's why there are twelve people on a jury. That's why there are twelve eggs in a carton (just kidding)! But there is no kidding about the tree of life that once stood in the Garden of Eden and was forbidden to Adam.
It will stand in the city and be accessible to all of us. It will bear twelve kinds of fruit for the twelve months for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2).
Notice it when twelve shows up in your life.
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