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Did you know that the phrase 70 times 7 was first used in the old testament However, the phrase when used in the old testament had nothing to do with mercy and forgiveness, rather with vengeance. In Genesis 4: 23-24 Lamech said to his wives. “I have slain a young man for striking me. If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy times seven.” These verses are in reference to the first murder in world history, Cain’s killing of Abel. Cain feared that he would be killed by his relatives for his crime, but God placed a mark on him protecting him, and declared that if anyone killed Cain, vengeance would be carried out on him seven times. So Lamech in defense of his actions announces to his family if anyone tries to take vengeance on him for killing a man, vengeance should be carried out on them 70 times 7.
Who was this obscure biblical character Lamech? He was a descendant of Cain who had inherited his forefather’s murderous instinct, but in his shocking lust for revenge, outdid even Cain. Anybody who crossed Lamech would have been paid back big time - not just seven times, but seventy times seven! In Scripture, seven is a significant number. It symbolizes completeness. But Lamech lusted for a vengeance that went far beyond completeness.
In the new testament Jesus used the phrase 70 times 7 in the complete opposite manner. Jesus in response to a question from Peter about how many times he should forgive a brother who sinned against him responded “not seven times, but seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:21-22 NIV Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.
Seven signifies spiritual perfection. So seventy times seven means we need to forgive someone completely, and not let it continue to fester or play over and over again in our minds. Jesus isn't telling us to forgive our brothers 490 times, or 70 times, or 77 times. He's telling us we should always forgive our brothers when they have sinned against us.
We must use Jesus as our example for forgiveness. We must forgive others as he did. It doesn’t matter if the person that offended us is sorry for what they did or not. I must forgive as He forgives. Jesus washed the feet of all the disciples before the Last Supper. That means He got on his knees, became a servant and hand washed the dirt off the feet of Judas, knowing full well that he would betray him shortly... While Jesus was hanging on the cross he asked God to forgive those who were crucifying him....
Luke 23:34 NIV Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.
I want that kind of forgiveness!!! Because of Jesus death on the cross God has forgiven me of all my sin's even those I have not yet to committed but will some day! We all struggle with something. The world does not revolve our problems. We need to make an effort to be aware of our faults and forgive others so that when we screw up, we can hope for the same mercy from them. How wrong it would be for us to deny others forgiveness and yet expect it for ourselves!!!
