40 - Testing & Trial
Throughout Scripture the span of forty days or years signals a divine season of testing and preparation meant to purify and strengthen those called to greater service. The floodwaters prevailed for forty days, Israel journeyed forty years through the desert before entering the promised land, and the Lord Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness prior to his public ministry. These intervals reveal how God uses trial to foster dependence on him and to ready his people for the unfolding of redemption.
Meaning: Testing, trial, probation, preparation
Key Occurrences
- Flood - 40 days rain (Gen 7:12)
- Moses on Sinai - 40 days (Ex 24:18)
- Spies in Canaan - 40 days (Num 13:25)
- Israel in wilderness - 40 years (Num 14:33)
- Jesus tempted - 40 days (Matt 4:2)
- Jesus to ascension - 40 days (Acts 1:3)
Key Passages
Jesus Fasts 40 Days
Matthew 4:1-2
1hen was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Did You Know?
The number forty is associated with testing, trial, and preparation in the Bible.
Moses, Elijah, and Jesus each fasted for forty days.
Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years because of unbelief.