38 years

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Do you know the Israelites who came out of Egypt wandered for extra 38 years than the originally planned 2 years? That makes a total 40 years in wilderness. During the second year, they struggled against God saying that He had brought them to die in war against Canaanites provoking God to give them a curse that for each day the 12 spies spied the land, they will spend one year making it a total of 40 years. But, it is actually 38 years from the time the spies were sent.

Following verse confirms this, And the space in which we came from Kadesh–barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the Lord sware unto them. Deuteronomy 2:14

You might ask what's there in it. In New Testament, who is the person with longest illness but was healed by Jesus? The woman having a blood issue suffered for 12 years. The woman with her back bowed was affected for 18 years. But, it was the man at Bethesda pool who suffered for a maximum time of 38 years. John 5:5

So, what is the connection? The man represents the unbelieving Israel and it took 38 years for them to wander in wilderness before crossing Jordan. Same way, the man healed after 38 years. But, what is more interesting is the present connection of 38 with respect to Jerusalem. In July 1980, the Jerusalem law was passed by Israel declaring that Jerusalem is the Sovereign capital of Israel. The, then president Ronald Reagan supported Israel but never accepted Jerusalem as Sovereign capital of Israel. Then, Bill Clinton said that he will recognise Jerusalem as capital. All the presidents from Clinton to Obama waived off the decision which comes to their review once in 6 months.

But, the time came. God brought Donald Trump to the power in 2017 in a super natural way. Trump declared Jerusalem as the Sovereign capital of Israel in December 2017 and moved the US embassy to Jerusalem in 14, May 2018, which is also the 70th anniversary of the independence of Israel. This is exactly the 38th year from 1980.

We could see God's hands turning history to accomplish His prophecies. Now, we are at the 40th year from 1980. The number 40 represents divine appointment. As we map 38 years, our Lord is going to turn His attention to Israel to find the final remnant portion as per Romans 11:5,25 and Zeccharia 13:9. This will match the healing of man at Bethesda after 38 years of illness. God will bring His revival for Israel and complete all His prophecies in the forthcoming years as per Acts 3:18-19.

So, let's watch and pray as we don't know the hour the groom will come for His bride. We are also in the 73rd year of Israel independence and 73 is a significant number.

There is another interesting fact with the number 38. We all know the smallest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117 that has just 2 verses. But, do you know there is only one book in the Bible that has 2 chapters. It is the book of Haggai which is the 37th book. But, what is more interesting is this book has exactly 38 verses in total !!! Amazing, isn't it? Number 2 represents Son of God and grace and truth.

All glory, honor and praise to the Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.