Forty days and counting

This week, we passed 40 days since the stay-at-home order went into effect for my hometown of Lancaster, PA. Many of us have been quarantined even longer, and I’m wondering, “Has it really been only 40 days?”

Did you know that the Latin root of the word “quarantine” is “forty”? What’s with this number, and why does 40 play such a prominent and recurring role in the Bible? It crops up everywhere. Many of the best-known stories have the number 40 associated with them.

• It rained 40 days on Noah.
• Moses spent 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in Midian, and 40 years in the wilderness. When he went up on Mt. Sinai, he stayed there 40 days.
• Joshua did 40 days of recon in Canaan.
• Israel wandered the wilderness for 40 years.
• A criminal got 40 lashes max.
• Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days.
• The kings of the united monarchy—Saul, David and Solomon—all reigned for 40 years.
• Satan tempted Jesus for 40 days.
• Jesus appeared after his resurrection for 40 days.
• Women are pregnant for 40 weeks.
• The army demands you do 40 push-ups.

Okay, those last two aren’t specifically biblical, but you get the idea. There’s a whole world of 40s out there. Seriously, what’s up with all the 40s? Is it sheer coincidence or something more?

It seems that this repetition is not so much a code as it is a condition. In these examples, it appears that God deems “40” the appropriate period for testing, judging, or proving something. Just about anybody can drop and give you 20. But make it to 40, and we learn something about you.

That seems to be God’s intention for the number. When it comes to testing, “let there be 40.”

Forty days of rain proves how dirty life on earth is. Forty years in the wilderness certifies the failure of an older generation, while creating faith in a newer one. Goliath’s forty-day taunt confirms the cowardice of one king, while Satan’s forty-day gauntlet proves the character of another.

Forty. It seems like the number associated with a specific challenge.

How will we respond to this quarantine challenge, even beyond 40 days? Will we consume or give? Will we look to our own needs or find ways to creatively care for those around us? Will we succumb to the anxieties around us or focus on the hope we have in Christ?

These days offer a specific challenge to love our families and neighbors well in the middle of uncertainty. In the testing, and especially now that we’re beyond day 40, I hope that we find courage, faith, and love. Let’s stand firm and love well!

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This blog post is an adapted excerpt from 40/40 Vision. Consider reading it during your quarantine!