By the Numbers
NINE
Nueve (Spanish)
Neun (German)
Neuf (French)
Tisa (Swahili)
Tisa (Arabic)
The number 9 is mentioned 49 times in the Bible. Here are just a few:
• Jesus died in the 9 th hour (3 pm).
• The “Day of Atonement” was to be marked starting in the evening of the 9 th day of the seventh month.
• King Hoshea was the last king to rule in the kingdom of Israel before the kingdom fell. As a king, he ruled from 732 to 723 BC, marking 9 years of kingship.
• The first recorded battle is found in the book of Genesis 14:1-2. This was a battle between an alliance of 5 kings on one side and another 4 on the other side, making a total of 9 kings involved in the first battle mentioned in the Bible.
• One of the most significant appearances of number 9 in the Bible is found in the book of Acts 10 in the story of the Roman Centurion called Cornelius. In a vision that happened in the 9 th hour, he was asked to meet Peter the Apostle. This vision would make him the first Gentile to be converted to Christianity.
• “Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the 9 th hour. “ (Acts 3:1)
• The Bible lists 9 people inflicted with blindness:
1. The men at Lot’s door, Genesis 19:11.
2. Isaac, Genesis 27:1.
3. Jacob, Genesis 48:10.
4. Samson, Judges 16:21.
5. Eli, 1Samuel 4:15.
6. The prophet Ahijah, 1Kings 14:4.
7. The Syrian army, 2Kings 6:18.
8. King Zedekiah, 2Kings 25:7.
9. Elymas, Acts 13:11.
And the Bible lists 9 special widows:
1. Tamar, Genesis 38:19.
2. Woman of Tekoah, 2Samuel 14:5.
3. Hiram’s mother, 1Kings 7:14.
4. Zeruah, 1Kings 11:26.
5. Woman of Zarephath, 1Kings 17:9.
6. The poor widow, Mark 12:42.
7. Anna, Luke 2:37.
8. Widow of Nain, Luke 7:12.
9. The importunate widow, Luke 18:3.
There are several more mentions of 9 in Scripture, but my favorite is found in Galatians 5:22-23. There are 9 fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control.
If you’re not experiencing all 9 fruit in your life, ask the Lord to reveal what may be blocking the specific fruit you’re missing.
Here’s a recipe for a 9-inch chocolate cake that the disciples would’ve loved!
INGREDIENTS
• Chocolate Cake
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water
• Chocolate Frosting
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 2 (9-inch) round baking pans with oil or butter and lightly coat with flour.
• In a large bowl, sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Beat in the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed, or until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. Stir in boiling water. The batter will be very thin.
• Pour the batter into greased pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• While the cakes are in the oven, prepare the frosting. Stir the butter and cocoa powder in a bowl. Add in powdered sugar and milk alternately. Beat the frosting until spreadable, adding more milk if needed. Stir in vanilla extract.
• Let the cakes sit for 10 minutes. Transfer them into wire racks to cool completely.
• To assemble the cake, place the first layer onto a flat serving plate. Using an offset spatula, spread a 3rd of the frosting evenly on top of the cake.
• Top the frosted cake with the 2nd cake. Spread remaining frosting on top and the sides of the cake.
Love,
Susie
