"Do you wish to Get well?"
Throughout my walk with the Lord, He has used numbers to speak to me, revealing numerous insights and mysteries afterwards. This particular study recently occurred after seeing, in the middle of the night, two "38"'s on my phone. A double witness of certain numbers is used often, and even more so lately, to get my attention.
Recently, I had to leave our bedroom in the middle of the night after starting to cough too much from my cold. At one point I looked at my phone to see what time it was. It was 3:38am and the temperature outside was 38 degrees. I was so tired, and felt so ill, that I could hardly focus but felt that I should at least look at what the number “38” means, biblically speaking, to see if the Lord was getting my attention to speak to me about something. By the way, afterwards (which was 1-1/2 hours later), I wondered if that meant there would be a third witness of “38.” I did see it later in regards to a “feels like” temperature outside.
The two passages in particular that I was led to were the 38 years old, "ill" man that Jesus healed at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:5), and the 38 year period of the 40 years of wandering in the desert, that the Lord used to destroy from the camp of the children of Israel the men of war that had rebelled against the Lord in regards to believing Him to take the land of Canaan at the beginning of their journey (Deuteronomy 2:14).
Concerning the man who was ill (the definition further below for this word in the Greek is very important), remember, I was getting this in the middle of the night, sick with a cold. This was besides my seven-year journey with an aggressive type of prostate cancer as well, during which the Lord has told me to trust Him, not the doctors, for my healing
In reality, we are all "ill" from the adverse affects of sin. The question from the Lord in these closing moments of this age, I believe, is "Do you wish to get well, to be made whole in Me?" This is not just from a physical ailment, but of complete healing, spirit, soul and body.
The following study is some of what came to me over the next couple of days.
AI Overview
“In biblical symbolism, the number 38 is most commonly associated with prolonged trial, waiting, divine discipline, and transition before a period of restoration or healing.”
Key Biblical References & Meaning
“The Invalid at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:5): A man suffered from an infirmity for 38 years before Jesus healed him on the Sabbath. This symbolizes a long season of weakness or bondage ending in divine intervention.”
“The Wilderness Wandering (Deuteronomy 2:14): The Israelites spent 38 years (out of their 40-year total time in the desert) traveling from Kadesh-barnea to the Brook Zered until the disobedient generation of men of war passed away. It represents a period of waiting, cleansing, and judgment.”
"This period of thirty-eight years represents a time of judgment and purification for the Israelites, as the generation that had disobeyed God at Kadesh-Barnea was not permitted to enter the Promised Land. The number signifies a prolonged period of waiting and serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God's commands."
The Man Ill For 38 Years
“The Invalid at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:5): A man suffered from an infirmity for 38 years before Jesus healed him on the Sabbath. This symbolizes a long season of weakness or bondage ending in divine intervention.” [This is taken from page 43.]
John 5:1-9
1 After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda [964- “house of kindness, mercy, faithfulness, grace, favor”], having five porticoes [4745- “a covered porch”].
3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters;
4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.]
5 A man was there who had been ill [769– “lack of strength, weakness, infirmity”] for thirty-eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well [5199- “healthy, complete, sound, to make one whole”]?" [KJV – “Wilt thou be made whole?”]
7 The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up [5015- “to stir, agitate, trouble”], but while I am coming, another steps down before me."
8 Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your pallet and walk."
9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day.
NASU
The Sheep Gate
(The following insights for the sheep gate are from Biblehub.com; https://biblehub.com/topical/s/sheep-gate.htm)
Topical Encyclopedia
The Sheep-Gate holds significant historical and theological importance in the context of Jerusalem and biblical narratives. It is mentioned specifically in the Book of Nehemiah, which provides insight into its role and symbolism within the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Biblical References:
The primary reference to the Sheep-Gate is found in Nehemiah 3:1: “Then Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests set to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.”
Historical Context:
The Sheep-Gate was one of the gates in the walls of Jerusalem, located in the northeastern part of the city. It was named for its function as the entry point through which sheep were brought into the city, particularly for sacrificial purposes in the Temple. This gate's proximity to the Temple Mount underscores its importance in the religious life of ancient Israel, as it facilitated the flow of sacrificial animals necessary for the various offerings prescribed in the Mosaic Law.
Symbolic Significance:
In the biblical narrative, the Sheep-Gate carries rich symbolic meaning. It represents the beginning of the rebuilding efforts led by Nehemiah upon his return from exile. The fact that the high priest Eliashib and his fellow priests initiated the reconstruction of this gate highlights its spiritual significance. The Sheep-Gate can be seen as a symbol of spiritual renewal and dedication, as it was the first gate to be rebuilt and consecrated, setting the tone for the restoration of Jerusalem's walls.
Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the Sheep-Gate can be viewed as a foreshadowing of Christ, the “Lamb of God,” who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Just as sheep entered through this gate for sacrifice, Jesus entered Jerusalem, ultimately to be sacrificed for the sins of humanity. This connection underscores the continuity between the Old Testament sacrificial system and the New Testament fulfillment in Christ's atoning work.
Relevance in Christian Tradition:
In Christian tradition, the Sheep-Gate serves as a reminder of the call to spiritual vigilance and the need for continual renewal and dedication to God's purposes. It encourages believers to participate in the work of building and restoring the spiritual “walls” of their lives and communities, ensuring that they remain open to the transformative work of Christ.
Archaeological Insights:
While the exact location of the ancient Sheep-Gate is a subject of scholarly debate, archaeological excavations in Jerusalem have provided insights into the city's historical layout during the time of Nehemiah. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the biblical text and the historical context in which these events occurred.
In summary, the Sheep-Gate is a multifaceted symbol within the biblical narrative, representing both historical reality and spiritual truth. Its mention in Nehemiah serves as a testament to the faithfulness of God's people in rebuilding and dedicating their lives to His service, while also pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.”
Jesus Christ; The Sheep Gate
John 10:1-11 – See the note below.
1 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.
2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. [See Matthew 7:13-14 in which Jesus describes two different gates; one leads to eternal life, the other to destruction.]
3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [See Psalm 23.]
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."
6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what He was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. [See Acts 4:12.]
8 All who ever came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved [4982- see def. below]. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
NIV
NT:4982 sozo (sode'-zo)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from a primary sos (contraction for obsolete saoz, "safe"); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively):
KJV - heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
to save, to keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction
a. universally, tina, one (from injury or peril); to save a suffering one (from perishing), e. g. one suffering from disease,
to make well, heal, restore to health (Matthew 9:22)
b. to save (Matthew 1:21)
In this parable, Jesus refers to Himself as the gate for sheep (i.e. His followers) to enter through and be “saved.” As we read above, “[The sheep gate] was named for its function as the entry point through which sheep were brought into the city, particularly for sacrificial purposes in the Temple.” In His parable, Jesus declared Himself to be the sheep gate, the point of entry for the salvation of all mankind! (See the Bible study The Point Of Arrival.) He was the first of many brethren who entered into this saving gate in Jerusalem to be sacrificed for the sins of the world. All who wish to be saved must now pass through Him who has been given the right to stand as the gate into the New Jerusalem. Because of His willingness to lay down His life, He has been given the authority from His Father to save all who come to Him as their Messiah (John 10:11, 17-18). He can truthfully say, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6/NIV)
The Greek interpreted as “saved” is sozo (sode'-zo). It’s defined as “to save, to keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction.” It’s also defined as “to save a suffering one (from perishing), e. g. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health (Matthew 9:22).” For the man by the pool, it had been 38 long years of suffering. But during a particular feast of the Jews (the Bible doesn’t say which one), Jesus, the Great Physician, went up to Jerusalem and set this man free. In the fulfillment of the final feast of the year, the Feast of Tabernacles, I believe the Lord will do the same for all those who wish to be made whole in Him (i.e. “saved” through Him) at the end of this age. In this “certain season” that has come at the end of this age, He is desiring to bring to completion in Himself those who are willing to fully surrender themselves to Him, as He did to the Father.
“What does it mean to be ‘made whole’ in the Bible?’
AI Overview:
“Being ‘made whole’ in the Bible means receiving complete restoration that goes beyond just a physical cure to include the body, soul, and spirit. [See the Bible study Spirit, Soul, And Body.]
Key Greek Meanings
When the New Testament uses the phrase “made whole” or “saved/healed,” it translates to specific Greek words depending on the context:
Sōzō (σῴζω): Used in passages like Luke 17:19 (“thy faith hath made thee whole”), meaning to rescue from danger, heal, restore to health, or bring spiritual salvation. It links physical healing with spiritual deliverance.
Hugies (ὑγιής): Used in contexts like John 5:6–9 regarding the man at the pool of Bethesda (“Wilt thou be made whole?”), referring to physical soundness, health, and a restoration of active quality of life. [Remember, the definition for the Greek word interpreted “get well,” or “made whole” is “healthy, complete, sound, to make one whole.” I believe that what the Lord is saying to His children this very day is, “Do you want to be made complete in Me? Then do what the Spirit is saying to the church in these final moments before My return, repenting where necessary.”]
Holos (ὅλος): Denotes something complete, total, unimpaired, or containing all its necessary parts.
Core Dimensions of Wholeness
More than a quick fix: Physical healing was rarely an isolated event in Jesus' ministry. For example, when Jesus healed the woman with the issue of blood or the lepers, the restoration also returned them from social, emotional, and religious isolation back into community.
The role of faith: Jesus frequently told people, “Your faith has made you well” (or “whole”), pointing out that true transformation requires reaching out to God with trust rather than just experiencing a mechanical fix.
Complete restoration in Christ: New Testament writers like Paul describe believers as being made complete or whole through their union with Christ, addressing the deeper moral and spiritual brokenness caused by sin.”
(For more on being “wholly illumined,” see the Bible study Wholly Illumined No Dark Part.)
AI Overview for “Define Bethesda in Hebrew.”
“The name Bethesda means ‘house of mercy’ or ‘house of grace’ in Hebrew and Aramaic (בית חסד or חסדא).
Breakdown of the Name
Beth (Bayit / בית): Means ‘house’.
Hesda (חסד / חסדא): Means ‘mercy,’ ‘kindness,’ or ‘grace’.
Context and Origin
Biblical Reference: It refers to the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, described in the Gospel of John (John 5:1–15) as a place near the Sheep Gate where Jesus healed a man who had been sick for 38 years.
Dual Meaning: Because the pool was frequently filled with the sick, disabled, and suffering, the term has also occasionally been associated with "disgrace" or "shame" alongside its primary meaning of divine mercy.”
As an eyewitness, John told us of the time when Jesus came to a man who had been “ill” for 38 years. He was lying at a pool named Bethesda, near, of all gates in the walls of Jerusalem, the sheep gate. As we saw, this gate was the place where all the sacrificial lambs for the temple were brought through into the city.
Near the sheep gate was a pool, named Bethesda, which means “house [dwelling] of kindness, mercy, faithfulness, grace, favor.” In this place inside the gate, there were waters that, when stirred, would bring healing to the one who stepped into them. They represent the cleansing waters of His grace (i.e. also represented by the 5 porticoes, 5 being the number of grace) that are able, if we respond favorably to Jesus’ question, to bring healing to all of mankind from our fallen nature’s “ill” state (i.e. “lack of strength, weakness, and infirmity”) that leads to death and eternal separation from Him. He has provided the way, through Jesus Christ, that is necessary for entering into, and remaining within, His house, if we accept His terms of surrender.
The question Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb of God, who also called Himself “the gate,” is asking us today in this “appointed season” is the same as He asked the man who had been ill for 38 years; “Do you wish to get well/be made whole?” It was His sacrifice on the cross for mankind’s sin that can, through our acceptance of Him as our Lord and Savior, bring both physical and spiritual healing through His “waters of purification” (Numbers 19:14-22). The question we too have to answer first, though, is, “Do you wish to get well?” To reject Jesus’ question today is to remain in your spiritual, chronically ill state, and perish.
(This insight is from the Bible study The Point Of Arrival.)
“The 42nd time that Jesus is mentioned in the book of Matthew is found in Matthew 9:35;
‘And Jesus [42] was going about all the cities and the villages, teaching in the synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.’
This shows what it means when Jesus arrives. He comes to teach and proclaim the gospel of the kingdom. He comes to heal every disease. Yet because Christ must come twice, Matthew 9:35 also prophesies of His second coming, and this extends also to His body. Recall from the first chapter of Matthew, Jesus is the 41st generation listed, and Christ—that is, the body of Christ—is the 42nd generation.
Christ’s first coming initiated this type of ministry, yet in later years this waned dramatically, almost to the point of extinction. Hence, there is a need for the second coming of Christ, where His body is perfected [i.e. “made whole”] and can fully perform its calling in Christ. This can be thought of as His “arrival,” and this is the time when the gospel of the Kingdom is more fully proclaimed with healing and restoration.”
(For more on the final healing of the body of Christ at the end of this age, see my book The Final Healing.)
More on the 38 years, out of 40, in the Israelites wilderness wandering.
“The Wilderness Wandering (Deuteronomy 2:14): The Israelites spent 38 years (out of their 40-year total time in the desert) traveling from Kadesh-barnea to the Brook Zered until the disobedient generation of men of war passed away. It represents a period of waiting, cleansing, and judgment.” [This is taken from page 43.]
Deuteronomy 2:14-15 – See the note below.
14 "Now the time that it took for us to come from Kadesh-Barnea [see def. below] until we crossed over the brook Zered [2218- “‘exuberant growth’, ‘luxuriance’, ‘lined with shrubbery’”] was thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men of war perished from within the camp, as the Lord had sworn to them.
15 "Moreover the hand of the Lord was against them, to destroy them from within the camp until they all perished.
NASU
The significance of Kadesh-Barnea is that it was the place of unbelief in the camp that resulted in God’s judgement of 40 years of wandering in the wilderness for the children of Israel. The twelve spies had been sent out from here to check out the land of God’s choosing for them. Ten came back in fear with a bad report that spread throughout the children of Israel. Only Joshua and Caleb believed God, in spite of the giants they saw dwelling in the land. What they saw with their eyes did not affect their belief in what God had said. Because of this, they would be the only two from the older generation that would be allowed to enter into the Promised Land of Canaan with the younger generation.
The following insights are from the article “Kadesh-Barnea meaning”;
The name Kadesh-Barnea: Summary
Meaning – “Sacred Desert Of Wandering”, “Holy Purifying Staggerings”
Etymology – From (1) the verb קדש (qadash), to be holy, and (2) perhaps בר (bar), desert or empty field, and (3) the verb נוע (nua'), to stagger or shake.
Deuteronomy 1:2-3 – See the note below.
2 It is eleven days' journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea.
3 In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses spoke to the children of Israel, according to all that the Lord had commanded him to give to them…
NASU
I find it interesting that the number “11” is found within these two verses that begin the book of Deuteronomy. The first “11” was at the beginning of Israel’s wilderness wandering. It was the day’s journey from Horeb, “the mountain of God,” (Exodus 3:1) to Kadesh-Barnea where their unbelief would bring God’s declaration of judgement against them (Numbers 14:20-38). The second “11” was at the end of their journey, right before they entered the Promised Land of Canaan.
The following insights for the number “11” are from the article “Hebrew Linguistics & The Bible” (https://www.gods-abcs.com/numbers-1-to-40-defined).
“11 (yod-aleph) Imperfection, Disorder, Incompleteness
To write eleven in Hebrew, they wrote two Hebrew letters: yod (hand) and aleph (strength). These signify the hand (outworking) of one’s strength. Man’s works apart from God are imperfect and out of order, and so they come ultimately to disintegration. Eleven is the number of imperfection, disorder, or being out of order. Jacob had only eleven sons remaining at home after Joseph was lost and presumed dead. This portrays a measure of disorder. Only when Joseph was found and reunited with his brethren was there the order of divine government—the number 12.
Israel was rebellious against God ten times from the time they left Egypt to the day the twelve spies gave their reports (Num. 14:22). God then judged them, saying that they would have to spend 40 years in the wilderness. As we showed earlier, ten indicates the judgment of the law. But then the people refused to accept God’s judgment, and this became their eleventh sin—disorder. They attempted to conquer Canaan on their own, but failed miserably (Num. 14:39-45). It does not work to do the right thing at the wrong time, nor to do the wrong thing at the right time. Both manifest disorder. Also of note is the fact that it was an eleven-day journey from Mount Horeb to Kadesh-Barnea, where the 12 spies gave their report and where Israel committed their eleventh act of rebellion against God…
The eleventh time Paul is mentioned is in Acts 14:14,15… After Paul brought correction to these people, they dragged him out of the city, stoned him, and left him for dead. Eleven, therefore, shows disorder and incompletion. For this reason, there is often judgment associated with this number…”
The Final Two Years
What occurred during the final two years after the Lord destroyed the generation of the men of war who did not believe the Lord and take possession of the Promised Land?
“During the final two years of the 40-year wilderness journey (primarily Year 40 from the Exodus), the old generation of rebels passed away, leadership transitioned, and the nation prepared to enter Canaan… [Zered] is famous in the Book of Numbers (21:12) and Deuteronomy (2:13–14) as the valley the Israelites crossed after 38 years of wilderness wanderings, marking the end of that generation's cycle.”
I see this exact thing occurring within the body of Christ today right before our crossing over into our eternal inheritance. The rebellious, “old guard” that has led God’s people into great foolishness against Him is being removed from within the church. Many leaders are being exposed, almost daily, while some have even died. The “new thing” in the Lord is beginning to rise up, with many unknown, “nobodies” soon becoming known. They will be used by the Lord to lead His people into their eternal inheritance. The days of our wilderness wandering have come to an end. We have entered the time of preparation when all among God’s people who can, will be made ready through submission to the cleansing process of the Holy Spirit so as to enter the presence of the Lord, and live (Hosea 6:2).
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”
(Revelation 19:7/NASU)
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