6 – SIX
(IMPERFECTION, HUMANITY, LABOR)
The number 6 in Biblical numerology carries profound significance, representing imperfection, humanity, and labor. This concept is deeply rooted in Scripture, offering important insights for Christians today.
BIBLICAL REFERENCES:
1. Creation of Man:
– Genesis 1:31: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning – the sixth day.”
– Genesis 2:7: “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”
2. Six Days of Work:
– Exodus 20:9: “Six days you shall labor and do all your work.”
– Exodus 31:15: “For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord.”
3. Number of Man:
– Revelation 13:18: “This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.”
4. New Testament Contexts:
– John 2:6: “Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.”
– Mark 15:42: “It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.”
MEANING AND SYMBOLISM:
1. Imperfection and Incompletion:
– In Genesis, God created the world and humans in six days, with the seventh day being a day of rest and completion. This highlights that the number 6 symbolizes a state of imperfection and incompletion, always needing the divine perfection signified by the number 7.
– Example: Abraham’s six-fold intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18:22-33) fell short of fully averting God’s judgment, symbolizing human effort’s limitations without divine intervention.
2. Humanity and Weakness:
– Mankind was created on the sixth day, linking the number 6 directly to humanity. This connection underscores human imperfection and the need for God’s grace.
– Example: The six cities of refuge (Num 35:9-15) set aside for those who committed manslaughter reflect human fallibility and the need for divine mercy.
3. Labor and Human Effort:
– The command to work for six days and rest on the seventh reflects the balance between human effort and divine rest. The six days of labor emphasize the dignity of work and its role in human life.
– Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2427): “Human work proceeds directly from persons created in the image of God and called to prolong the work of creation by subduing the earth, both with and for one another.”
4. Imperfection and Sin:
– The number 666, as mentioned in Revelation, represents the ultimate imperfection and the manifestation of human sinfulness, opposing God’s perfect order.
– Revelation 13:18: “This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.”
REFLECTION
1. Embrace Imperfection, Pursue Growth:
– Recognize human imperfection as a call to humility and reliance on God’s grace. Strive for spiritual growth and holiness, acknowledging that it is a lifelong journey.
2. Value Hard Work:
– Honor the dignity of labor and see it as a means of sanctification. Through work, reflect God’s creative activity and contribute meaningfully to society. CCC 2427: “By enduring the hardship of work in union with Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth and the one crucified on Calvary, man collaborates in a certain fashion with the Son of God in his redemptive work.”
3. Find Fulfillment in Christ:
– Understand that earthly efforts and achievements are limited. Seek true satisfaction and completion in Christ, symbolized by the perfect number 7. Message: Earthly fulfillment is limited; true satisfaction comes from a relationship with Christ.
While numerology offers intriguing insights, it should always be interpreted within the broader context of Scripture. The Bible is the primary source of spiritual truth, and numerology should complement, not replace, biblical teaching.
The number 6 in Biblical numerology serves as a profound reminder of human effort, limitation, and the need for divine grace. It calls Christians to balance their work with rest, strive for holiness despite their imperfections, and remain vigilant against sin. By understanding the significance of this number, Christians can deepen their spiritual journey and reliance on God.