Forgive Seventy Times Seven: A Symbol of Eternal Forgiveness in the New Covenant
In the Bible, we find a profound statement by Jesus when He said, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22)
This declaration by Jesus, urging us to forgive “seventy times seven,” carries a deep spiritual significance. To truly grasp its meaning, we must explore the connection between this statement, the prophecies in the book of Daniel, and the promises of the New Covenant.
**Forgiving Seventy Times Seven: The Divine Message**
To understand why Jesus mentioned “seventy times seven,” we should first look to the book of Daniel, specifically Daniel 9:24, which states, “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”
In this prophecy, we see a connection between the seventy weeks of Daniel and the theme of reconciliation and forgiveness. The seventy weeks were a time of divine intervention, during which God worked to reconcile His people, end transgression, and bring about everlasting righteousness. It’s important to note that these weeks in Daniel are symbolic and not to be taken literally.
**The Coronation of Daniel and Jesus: A Harmonious Message**
Now, let’s explore the connection between the message of Daniel and Jesus’ call for limitless forgiveness. Daniel’s prophecy pointed to the future Messiah, the Anointed One, who would bring ultimate reconciliation. Jesus, being that prophesied Messiah, embodied the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy.
In the New Covenant, Jesus inaugurated a new era of forgiveness and reconciliation. The seventy times seven represents a departure from finite limitations, emphasizing the idea that forgiveness should be boundless. It’s a call to emulate the divine nature of God, who is eternally forgiving.
**The New Covenant Promises: A Message of Grace and Restoration**
The teachings of Jesus echo the promises of the New Covenant, which are rooted in God’s gracious and loving character. One of the key passages that encapsulates the essence of this New Covenant is found in Jeremiah 31:31-34 (KJV):
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
In this passage, God promises a new covenant, characterized by an intimate knowledge of Him, the indwelling of His law in the hearts of His people, and, significantly, the forgiveness of sins with no remembrance. Jesus’ message of forgiving “seventy times seven” reflects the boundless grace and forgiveness of this New Covenant.
**Conclusion: Embracing the Message of Eternal Forgiveness**
In essence, Jesus’ call to forgive “seventy times seven” is a profound declaration that mirrors the promises of the New Covenant. It signifies a departure from the limitations of human forgiveness to embrace the divine and eternal forgiveness of God. Just as Daniel’s prophecy pointed to the Messiah, Jesus fulfills that role, ushering in an era of reconciliation, grace, and everlasting forgiveness. As believers, we are called to extend this divine forgiveness to others, as we have received it from God. In doing so, we bear witness to the power and beauty of the New Covenant’s promises.