FROM THE DAWGHOUSE…
Don’t Give Up at 40
You might be thinking, why would I give up at 40. Such a young age. But it’s not age I am talking about. It is the use of the number 40 in scripture, and therefore by default, why 41 becomes equally significant…
- It rained for 40 days and 40 nights. Day 41 came, and the rain stopped.
- Moses committed murder and hid in the desert for 40 years. Year 41 came, and God called him to help rescue Israel.
- Moses went up on the mountain for 40 days. On day 41, he received the Ten Commandments.
- The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Year 41, they walked into the Promised Land.
- Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days. Day 41 came, and David slew him.
- Jonah preached a message of repentance to Ninevah for 40 days. On day 41, God stopped His plan to destroy them.
- Jesus fasted and was tempted for 40 days. Day 41, the devil fled.
- After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples for 40 days. On day 41, He ascended into Heaven.
All this to say…don’t quit…don’t give up…God’s plan is always perfect!
The rain will stop, the giant will fall, and we will enter our “promised land.” Don’t give up at 40, because 41 is coming.
Biblically, certain numbers hold profound significance, weaving through narratives and imparting layers of meaning. One such number is 40, a figure that appears repeatedly throughout the pages of the Bible, bearing a weighty significance that transcends mere numerical value. From the Old Testament to the New, the number 40 is a symbol of preparation, purification, and transformation.
In the book of Genesis, the story of Noah and the Great Flood is one of the earliest instances where the number 40 emerges prominently. According to scripture, rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights, signaling a period of divine judgment and cleansing. The floodwaters not only washed away the corruption of humanity but also paved the way for a new beginning, as Noah and his family found refuge in the ark, emerging into a renewed world after 40 days.
Another prominent use of the number 40 occurs in the narrative of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years. Can you imagine? Forty years. This period of wandering was not merely a geographical journey but also a spiritual pilgrimage, marked by trials, testing, and the forging of a covenant relationship with God. The forty years in the wilderness served as a time of preparation, purging the Israelites of their bondage to Egypt, and molding them into a people ready to inherit the Promised Land.
In the New Testament, the significance of the number 40 is further underscored in the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Before commencing His public ministry, Jesus withdrew into the desert, where He fasted and prayed for forty days. During this time, He faced intense temptation from the devil but emerged victorious, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to fulfill the divine purpose for His life. Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness mirrored the experiences of the Israelites and served as a paradigm for spiritual testing and triumph.
Following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples over a period of forty days before ascending into heaven. This period of post-resurrection appearances was a time of instruction, encouragement, and commissioning for the disciples, preparing them for their role in spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth. Just as the forty days of rain preceded a new era for humanity in Noah’s time, so too did the forty days of post-resurrection encounters mark the dawn of a new era in the history of redemption.
Whether through trials of the wilderness, the testing of faith in the desert, or the anticipation of a new beginning, the forty-fold motif serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness, his redemptive purposes, and his abiding presence with his people.
As we reflect on the significance of the number 40 in biblical scripture, may we be encouraged to embrace our own seasons of preparation and transformation, trusting in the promise of renewal and the hope of a future marked by God’s unfailing grace.
Don’t give up at 40, because 41 is coming.
To the Kingdom.
Joe Bouch
