THE 40 DAYS’ SYMBOLISM IN THE BIBLE
I researched the symbolism of the 40 phenomenon in the Bible and went looking for the spiritual meaning. This period of forty days is repeatedly used to illustrate decisive moments in the human relationship with God, from judgment to salvation, from sin to grace. I am only going to refer to seven of these special events in the Bible, although there are more.
The 40 days of the flood (Genesis 7 and 8): The beginning of these forty-day periods takes place during one of the most famous and terrifying events in Scripture – the flood. It rained on the earth for forty days and forty nights, a symbol of God’s judgment on mankind’s sin.
Moses’ 40 days on Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy 9): Moses, the great leader of the Israelite people, spent 40 days on Mount Sinai, where he received the law. This moment not only marks the receiving of the law-, but also the period in which Moses prayed for Israel after their sin with the golden calf. It represents both the law and the grace of God.
The 40 days of spying of Canaan (Numbers 13 and 14): When the Israelite spies explored Canaan, they spent 40 days in the land. Their report divided the people into faith and unbelief, leading to forty years of wandering in the desert as punishment for their unbelief.
The 40 days of Elijah’s journey to Horeb (1 Kings 19:1-8): In a time of human weakness and fatigue, the prophet Elijah fled to Mount Horeb, where he spent 40 days and 40 nights. This period indicates both human weakness and the divine power that Elijah received at Horeb to continue his mission.
The 40 Days of Nineveh (Jonah 3): When the prophet Jonah warns the people of Nineveh about the coming destruction, he preaches repentance for forty days. This leads to God’s forgiveness and mercy on the city.
The 40 days of Jesus’ temptation (Matthew 4:2; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2): Just before his public ministry began, Jesus spent 40 days in the desert, where He was tempted by the devil. This period of temptation indicates the intense spiritual struggle that Jesus went through before He began His mission.
The 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 1:3): After His resurrection from the dead, Jesus appeared and taught His disciples for forty days before He was taken up into heaven. This period symbolizes salvation, hope, and the coming glory of Christ.
The Symbolism of Forty Days: The number forty has a special meaning in the Bible, often symbolizing the fullness of a particular period of preparation and education. We see this pattern repeatedly in Scripture, such as the forty days of rain during the flood, Moses’ forty days on Mount Sinai, and Elijah’s forty-day journey to Mount Horeb. These periods were all critical times of preparation for a new era or a new assignment.
SUMMARY
The repetition of forty days in biblical history offers us a glimpse into the relationship between God and humanity. From judgment to mercy, from weakness to strength, from sin to forgiveness – each of these events illustrates an aspect of the human spiritual journey. Finally, we find the perfect fulfilment of this journey in Jesus Christ, whose resurrection and glorification are our hope and salvation. In the next 40 days, I will concentrate specifically on Jesus’ last acts, there is not much known but more than enough for 40 meditations.