The number ‘9’ is a significant number, occurring 49 times in Scripture, and meaning completeness and holiness. Christ died at the 9th hour/3pm and opened the way of salvation for everyone. The holiest day of the Jewish Calendar, Yom Kippur (The day of fasting), begins at sunset on the 9th day of the seventh month. Leviticus 23:32
It’s also interesting that after the coming of the Holy Spirit that we have the 9 Gifts of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 12 and also the complementary 9 Fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5. (Galatians is the 9th book of the New Testament (NT) and 5:22, 5+2+2 when added equals 9! Troy Brewer, Prophetic Numbers)
Babies or new life is birthed after 9 months, so that’s also very significant.
The Gospel of Luke, the doctor and probably the only Gentile writer in the NT, records some supernatural events not mentioned in the other gospels. It’s interesting that they are recorded in Luke because Paul tells Jews look for signs;
22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, …25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 1 Corinthians 1
There were ‘9’ supernatural manifestations around the time of Jesus’ birth.
Two angelic visitations, to Zechariah and later to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Luke 1:11; 1:26
Three prophetic utterances;
Elisabeth (mother of John), ‘Why am I so favoured that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’ Luke 1:43
Mary’s Song
46 And Mary said:
‘My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me –
holy is his name. Luke 1
Zechariah’s Song
67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), Luke 1
Two appearances in the heavens;
The appearance of the angels to the shepherds to tell them of the birth of the Messiah. Luke 2:8
The visit of the Magi;
‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ Matthew 2:1 (The only sign not in Luke’s Gospel)
Two prophetic confirmations when Jesus was presented in the Temple;
29 ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.’ Luke 2, Simeon
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, … She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2
God speaks in many ways and on many different levels today; it’s said He is the greatest code maker. He wants to speak to each of us in ways that He has chosen, don’t be disheartened but ask Him to reveal what He’s saying now and believe He will.
God bless and keep you today.