40 days to change
The number 40 re-occurs several times in the Bible, both in the Old and New testaments. In this column, we will look at significant references to 40, specifically, the number 40 as it is associated with the passage of time, as in 40 days or 40 years.
We first encounter the number 40 in the book of Genesis in chapter 7:4. God spoke to Noah about the coming flood, where it would rain for 40 days and nights. Prior to this, man had never experienced rain, since the earth was watered by dew and from beneath the earth. As we know from reading the rest of the account, it did rain as promised and at the end of it all, every animal and human that was not in Noah's ark during the flood, perished. Thereafter, God started afresh with Noah and his family.
Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights, fasting on mount Sinai in God's presence (Exodus 24:18)
He received the covenant directly from God to deliver to the children of Israel. It took 40 days for the spies that Moses sent out to scope out the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:25). They returned with reports about the abundance they saw, but the majority of them also carried an evil report about their ability to take the land. For this reason, God decreed that the generation of Israel that did not have faith in Him would die in the wilderness and not enter the promised land. Therefore, it took 40 years for the children of Israel to finally get to the promised land (Canaan). (Deut. 29:5).
In the book of Judges, there were three instances where the land had rest for 40 years. Under Othniel (Judges 3:9-11), Deborah (Judges 4:1-5:31) and Gideon (Judges 6:1-8:28).
Remarkably, the children of Israel had rest from their enemies for 80 years under Ehud (Judges 3:30).
Eli the high priest judged Israel for 40 years (1st Samuel 4:18).
Interestingly, David ruled Israel for 40 years (2nd Samuel 5:4) and so did his son Solomon (1st Kings 11:42) and King Jehoash (2nd King 12:1).
Elijah was sustained on one meal for 40 days and nights (1st Kings 19:8).
The number 40 appears several times in Ezekiel (4:6, 29:11 29:12, 29:13), most commonly in reference to Egypt and how long it would lie wasted.
Nineveh had 40 days to repent, or be destroyed (Jonah 3:4).
In the New testament, Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:2). He spent 40
days with His disciples after his resurrection before he ascended to heaven (Acts 1:3-9).
From the passages above, we see several recurring themes, including that of doing away with the old, renewal or new beginnings, stability and sustenance and transition, especially from an old order to the new.
At times in our spiritual walk, we may encounter a period of stagnancy or a stubborn root in our lives that we are struggling to deal with. On the other hand, the Spirit of the Lord may simply signal to us, that God is getting ready to change our season. Why don’t we take up a faith challenge and follow the biblical pattern of 40. Make a commitment to 40 days of fasting or praying over a particular need or just making a decree, consistently for 40 days and expect a change in your life.
God bless.
The number 40 re-occurs several times in the Bible, both in the Old and New testaments. In this column, we will look at significant references to 40, specifically, the number 40 as it is associated with the passage of time, as in 40 days or 40 years.
We first encounter the number 40 in the book of Genesis in chapter 7:4. God spoke to Noah about the coming flood, where it would rain for 40 days and nights. Prior to this, man had never experienced rain, since the earth was watered by dew and from beneath the earth. As we know from reading the rest of the account, it did rain as promised and at the end of it all, every animal and human that was not in Noah's ark during the flood, perished. Thereafter, God started afresh with Noah and his family.
Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights, fasting on mount Sinai in God's presence (Exodus 24:18)
He received the covenant directly from God to deliver to the children of Israel. It took 40 days for the spies that Moses sent out to scope out the land of Canaan (Numbers 13:25). They returned with reports about the abundance they saw, but the majority of them also carried an evil report about their ability to take the land. For this reason, God decreed that the generation of Israel that did not have faith in Him would die in the wilderness and not enter the promised land. Therefore, it took 40 years for the children of Israel to finally get to the promised land (Canaan). (Deut. 29:5).
In the book of Judges, there were three instances where the land had rest for 40 years. Under Othniel (Judges 3:9-11), Deborah (Judges 4:1-5:31) and Gideon (Judges 6:1-8:28).
Remarkably, the children of Israel had rest from their enemies for 80 years under Ehud (Judges 3:30).
Eli the high priest judged Israel for 40 years (1st Samuel 4:18).
Interestingly, David ruled Israel for 40 years (2nd Samuel 5:4) and so did his son Solomon (1st Kings 11:42) and King Jehoash (2nd King 12:1).
Elijah was sustained on one meal for 40 days and nights (1st Kings 19:8).
The number 40 appears several times in Ezekiel (4:6, 29:11 29:12, 29:13), most commonly in reference to Egypt and how long it would lie wasted.
Nineveh had 40 days to repent, or be destroyed (Jonah 3:4).
In the New testament, Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:2). He spent 40
days with His disciples after his resurrection before he ascended to heaven (Acts 1:3-9).
From the passages above, we see several recurring themes, including that of doing away with the old, renewal or new beginnings, stability and sustenance and transition, especially from an old order to the new.
At times in our spiritual walk, we may encounter a period of stagnancy or a stubborn root in our lives that we are struggling to deal with. On the other hand, the Spirit of the Lord may simply signal to us, that God is getting ready to change our season. Why don’t we take up a faith challenge and follow the biblical pattern of 40. Make a commitment to 40 days of fasting or praying over a particular need or just making a decree, consistently for 40 days and expect a change in your life.
God bless.
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