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As I approached my 40th birthday, I felt a growing sense of introspection and reflection. I began to contemplate my life’s purpose and what the future held for me beyond this milestone age. This personal reflection was deepened by a request from a chief of my community, Ipi Kwa Bentum IV (Ag. President of the Traditional Council), who asked me to explore the significance of the number forty as it appears in the Bible. He highlighted the popular saying that “life begins at forty” and wanted me to delve into the symbolism of this number. I eagerly accepted this task and embarked on a journey to uncover the deeper meaning and significance of forty.
Forty is a highly symbolic number in the Bible, representing a period of PREPARATION, TESTING, and TRANSITION. The instances of forty in the Bible reveal that God uses this number to signify a time of preparation and testing that precedes significant events and transitions.
The story of Noah’s Ark and the Great Flood is a perfect example of this. God told Noah to build an ark and gather animals, and it rained for forty days and forty nights to cleanse the earth of sin before a new beginning. In this case, the forty days and nights represent a period of preparation for the new world that was to come after the flood.
Similarly, the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years after leaving Egypt, during which time they were tested and prepared for their new life in the Promised Land. The forty years of wandering symbolize a period of transition and transformation, from being slaves in Egypt to becoming a free and independent nation under God’s guidance.
Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry. This period of preparation enabled Jesus to resist temptation and focus on his mission to save humanity. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples for forty days, during which time he prepared them for the mission of spreading the gospel to the world.
Moses spent forty days on Mount Sinai, receiving the Ten Commandments and other laws from God. This period of preparation was necessary for Moses to receive and understand the laws that would govern the Israelites’ lives.
The number forty is also significant in the story of David and Goliath. Goliath taunted the Israelites for forty days before David stepped up to defeat him, showing that David was prepared and ready to face the giant and lead his people.
Finally, David ruled as king for forty years, during which time he prepared and tested himself as a leader, overcoming many obstacles and challenges.
In all these instances, the number forty represents a time of preparation and testing, a period of transition and transformation that enables individuals and communities to grow and evolve. The significance of forty in the Bible highlights the importance of preparing oneself for life’s challenges, trusting in God’s guidance, and staying true to one’s purpose and calling.
BIC Abeiku Okai
Anathallo Chapel Int.
(+233) 0249287855
24th April, 2023