Forty Days - Forty Years

After His baptism...
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

Into the wilderness...Look beyond the camel. That is believed to be the area where Jesus went into the desert...the Judean wilderness.

Forty is a special number throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament we see serveral instances of Forty days or Forty years.
Forty days of rain for Noah. Genesis 7:12
Moses was on Mount Sinai for Forty days receiving instructions on building the Tabernacle. Exodus 24:18
Moses was on Mount Sinai another Forty days when God wrote the second set of tablets. Exodus 34:28
The spies were in the Promised Land for Forty days. Numbers 13:25
Forty years for the children of Israel eating manna and wandering in the desert. Exodus 16:35 Note this was punishment for doing evil in the Lord's sight. Numbers 32:13 They lacked nothing during those Forty years. Deuteronomy 2:7
Elijah rested and was fed by Angels in the wilderness for Forty days after his contest on Mount Carmel with Ahab. 1 Kings 18-19 (1Kings 19:8)
Jonah warned the city of Nineveh that they would be overthrown in Forty days if they didn't turn from their wicked ways. Jonah 3:4
David reigned as King over Israel for Forty years. 2 Samuel 5:4
Solomon reigned as King over Israel for Forty years. 1 Kings 11:42
Other kings also reigned for exactly Forty years including--Jehoash 2 Kings 12; and Joash, 2 Chronices 24:1.

Is Forty significant in your life? Day by day I see God working in my life, answering prayers and giving me grace to face seemingly difficult situations--but I think I'll have to look more closely fort he relevance of forty days...or forty years. Soon...on February 15th, Ash Wednesday, we will begin the forty days of Lent before Easter. That is a great time of reflection--to consider what God has done for you...and your relationship to Him.  Are you doing "what the Lord requires" of you?

Prayer ~ Lord, help me to see You working in my life. Forty days or Forty years. You are worthy of praise every day...and I long to please You in all I think, say, and do. 

Daily Bible Reading: Job 21-23

© 2018 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. www.blueletterbible.org/daily reading.