THE NUMBER FORTY IN THE BIBLE

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.” – Matthew 4:1-2.

Think about it for a second. The number forty in the Bible is a powerful symbol that points to significant periods of testing, trial, and ultimately, transformation or resolution. For example, in Noah’s day, the flood came for forty days and forty nights (Genesis 7:12).  But then day forty-one came, and the rain stopped, signaling a fresh covenant between God and man. Moses committed murder and then hid in the desert for forty years. This division of Moses’ life into three forty-year periods (Egypt, Midian, wilderness) is a common understanding derived from biblical accounts and commentaries, highlighting periods of preparation, humility, and leadership. But then day forty-one came, and God called him to rescue Israel. Twice, Moses spent forty days on Mount Sinai with God, receiving the Law (Exodus 34:28-35). On day forty-one, he received the Ten Commandments.

Israel wandered for forty years because of disobedience (Joshua 5:6).  But in year forty-one, they walked into the promised land. Elijah traveled forty days to Mount Horeb, exhausted and discouraged, yet it was there he heard God’s whisper (1 Kings 19:8–12).

Goliath taunted Israel for forty days, but on day forty-one, David defeated him.  Jonah preached a message that Nineveh would be destroyed in 40 days, and when God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, He changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction He had threatened.

Before His public ministry, Jesus spent forty days fasting and being tempted, emerging victorious and Spirit-empowered (Luke 4:1–14). After rising from the dead, Jesus spent forty days appearing to His disciples, strengthening their faith before ascending to heaven (Acts 1:3).

So what’s the takeaway of all this? The number forty-one represents the dawn of a new day. The rain will stop, the giant will fall, and you will enter your “promised land.” Don’t give up at forty. You might want to ask yourself, forty what? Your “40” may not be literal days or years—it might be a prolonged season of uncertainty, a waiting period you don’t understand, or a trial you didn’t choose. But if the Bible teaches us anything about the 40s, it’s this: God always uses them for transformation.

It could be forty seconds, forty minutes, forty days, forty months, or forty years, but what if it is something else? What if it is forty times to turn the other cheek or repent or say you are sorry? What if it is forty times to pray for direction in your life? What if it is forty times to invite someone to church?

Whatever it is, forty-one is coming.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is there a “forty” in your life?
2. How can the church community help you deal with any forties in your life?