The Great 3:16s of the Bible

 

For some time, I've been fascinated with the 3:16s of the Bible and how they tell much of the story that God has written -- particularly on the topic of redemption. So, on this 3-16 day, I thought I'd put together a compilation of such verses for some fun edification.

Genesis 3:16

To the woman He said,

“I will greatly multiply

Your pain in childbirth,

In pain you will bring forth children;

Yet your desire will be for your husband,

And he will rule over you.”

As Adam and Eve rebelled against God and plunged all of mankind into sin and death, God curses the woman, along with the man and the serpent. In the verse prior, the serpent is told that the seed of the woman will crush him; nevertheless, man must live in the effects of sin. Here we see man's need for and God's promise of redemption.

Exodus 3:16

"Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, 'The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, "I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt."'"

The Angel of the Lord spoke to Moses out of the burning bush. He, the Lord, gave Moses a message for His nation, Israel: He was concerned about their affliction in the foreign land. His promise was that He would redeem them from their circumstances.

Joshua 3:16

The waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed opposite Jericho.

What a monumental moment in Israel's history. They crossed the Jordan River while the priests, who carried the ark of the covenant, stood on dry ground in the middle of it. The Lord was carrying out His promise of redemption from the hand of the Egyptians.

Judges 3:16

Ehud made himself a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length, and he bound it on his right thigh under his cloak.

This left-hander was used by God to kill Eglon, the king of Moab, who was "a very fat man." Moab was subdued that day, as God continually redeemed His people from the hand of their enemies.

Ruth 3:16

When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?” And she told her all that the man had done for her.

Ruth went to meet Boaz and he promised that he would redeem her as the kinsman.

Proverbs 3:16

Long life is in her right hand;

In her left hand are riches and honor.

Solomon understood the value of wisdom. For a man's life to be redeemed for the Lord, he must embrace the wisdom He gives.

Ecclesiastes 3:16

Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.

Solomon also understood that not everyone will embrace God's wisdom. In fact, mankind can be characterized as rejecting God's wisdom altogether; the world needs to be redeemed.

Jeremiah 3:16

"It shall be in those days when you are multiplied and increased in the land,” declares the Lord, “they will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the Lord.’ And it will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, nor will they miss it, nor will it be made again."

The God of Israel is in the process of redeeming His people. There is coming a day when the nation will repent and, consequently, He will not look upon them in anger, but He will show grace to them. The Lord's throne will be in Jerusalem, the law will be written on their hearts, and they will sin no more.

Daniel 3:16

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter."

Even now, the Lord has a remnant that He has redeemed. They are standing up for their God in the midst of persecution. These young men refused to worship a false god, even with the threat of death.

Joel 3:16

The Lord roars from Zion

And utters His voice from Jerusalem,

And the heavens and the earth tremble.

But the Lord is a refuge for His people

And a stronghold to the sons of Israel.

There is coming a day of judgment for the world -- for those who have rejected their Maker. However, for those who turn to the Lord, they will find redemption and refuge.

Malachi 3:16

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name.

Those who come to God with proper fear and reverence are remembered by Him. God says in the next verse that these people are His, like His very own children. There is redemption and adoption for those far from God.

Matthew 3:16

After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and John saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him.

The Messiah had come to earth and, in order to fulfil all righteousness, He was baptized. As the Holy Spirit descended on Him, a voice roared from heaven, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." The Father's plan of redemption was unfolding.

Mark 3:16

And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter)...

Jesus chose twelve ordinary men to follow Him. Eleven of them were redeemed and commissioned as apostles. They would carry on the gospel message of redemption to the nations.

Luke 3:16

John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."

From the beginning it was recognized that Jesus was coming to do something different on the earth. Through the redemption He offers, the Christ imparts the Holy Spirit to everyone who believes.

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

In perhaps the most famous quote of Jesus Christ, He states plainly why He came to earth: to redeem.

Acts 3:16

"And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all."

Many signs and wonders accompanied those who preached in Jesus' name, as they authenticated the message proclaimed. The message was about spiritual redemption, of course, but some of the signs included the redemption of people's physical bodies.

1 Corinthians 3:16

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

The redeemed community of God, the church, is promised that the Spirit is within them.

2 Corinthians 3:16

But whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Spiritual blindness is removed and spiritual sight is given when a person turns to the Lord, trusting Him for the forgiveness of sins, the redemption of their souls.

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Here now is the mission of the redeemed community: Abide in the word of Christ, instruct one another in wisdom and with singing, and be thankful.

1 Timothy 3:16

By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness:

He who was revealed in the flesh,

Was vindicated in the Spirit,

Seen by angels,

Proclaimed among the nations,

Believed on in the world,

Taken up in glory.

How can we instruct one another with singing? This redemption song is a good start.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.

Where do we turn for wisdom? It's all about Scripture, God's book of redemption, which leads us into godliness.

1 Peter 3:16

And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

After being instructed as to how to defend the faith, we are encouraged to keep a good conscience. We have been redeemed -- let us then live like it.

1 John 3:16

We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Christians are to be marked by love. This isn't a "define-it-however-you-want" love; this is redemptive love.

Revelation 3:16

So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

A true understanding of gospel redemption leads to wondrous faith in Jesus, not arrogance or pride. Let us be warned by the message to the church at Laodicea to keep our eyes fixed on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith.