We Catholics are in the middle of the Lenten season. Lent is a solemn religious observance in the liturgical calendar of many Christian denominations that begins on Ash Wednesday and covers a period of forty days before Easter Sunday. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, penance, repentance of sins, alms-giving, atonement and self-denial.
During Lent, many Christians commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penitence. Many Christians also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional, to draw themselves near to God. The Stations of the Cross, a devotional commemoration of Christ’s carrying the Cross and of his crucifixion, are often observed. Lent is traditionally described as lasting for forty days, in commemoration of the forty days which, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent, before beginning his public ministry, fasting in the desert, after which he endured temptation by the Devil. However the question is why for forty days? What is the significance of forty days in the Bible? Incidentally the number forty is mentioned 146 times in Scripture.
The number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial or probation. During his lifetime Moses lived for forty years in Egypt and forty years in the desert before God selected him to lead his people out of slavery. Moses was also on Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights, on two separate occasions (Exodus 24:18, 34:1 – 28), receiving God’s laws. He also sent spies, for forty days, to investigate the land God promised the Israelites as an inheritance.
The prophet Jonah warned ancient Nineveh, for forty days, that its destruction would come because of its many sins. The prophet Ezekiel laid on His right side for 40 days to symbolize Judah’s sins. Elijah went 40 days without food or water at Mount Horeb. Jesus was tempted by the devil not just three times, but many a times during the 40 days and nights he fasted just before his ministry began. He also appeared to his disciples and others for 40 days after his resurrection from the dead. The number forty can also represent a generation of man. Because of their sins after leaving Egypt, God swore that the generation of Israelites who left Egyptian bondage would not enter their inheritance in Cana. The children of Israel were punished by wandering the wilderness for 40 years before a new generation was allowed to possess the promised-land. Jesus, just days before his crucifixion, prophesied the total destruction of Jerusalem. (Matthew 24:1 – 2, Mark 13:1 – 2). Forty years after his crucifixion in 30 AD, the mighty Roman Empire destroyed the city and burned its beloved temple to the ground. The book of Exodus, with its 40 chapters is the seventh longest book. The longest is the Psalms. From the time they entered the promised-land, to the time of King Saul, Israel was sporadically governed by a number of individuals known as Judges. Though they did not rule like a king, they nevertheless had a tremendous influence on the people, as they represented God and were inspired to execute his will. Judges who served 40 years include Othniel, Deborah and Barak, Eli and Gideon.
