The Number Forty
Part 1
Noah
  Why is the number 40 so prevalent in Scripture? Why did it rain for 40 days and 40 nights? Why did Israel wander in the desert for 40 years? Why did the first 3 kings of Israel each reign for 40 years? Why was Moses in Egypt for 40 years — then in the desert for 40 years — then as the leader of Israel in the wilderness for 40 years, and why was Moses in the mount 40 days? Why was Ezekiel told to lay on his right side for 40 days? Why was the Lord Jesus tempted in the desert 40 days, why is the Gospel of Matthew the 40th book in the Bible and the 1st book in the New Testament, and why was the resurrected Savior seen of men for 40 days? Why are there many more 40’s in Scripture — why?
Forty
Earth and Mankind Under Trial
For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. (Genesis 7:4)
And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. (Genesis 7:12)
And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. (Genesis 7:17)
And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: (Genesis 8:6)
  The first mention of the number 40 (not connected with another number as in age) is documented in Genesis involving the universal flood in Chapter 7, verses 4, 12, and 17. The last mention of this number, in relationship to this flood, is in Genesis Chapter 8, verse 6. This last mention of this number occurs when Noah opened the window of the ark to face a new world, a new beginning, to view a world washed clean and symbolically resurrected as a world re-emerging afresh and new. Interestingly, this last mention of forty (as it relates to the judgment of the flood) is in Chapter number eight (a new beginning, and the number of resurrection). This verse numbering is also tied to the number six, the number of man. God speaks volumes in the digits of baby math. And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: (Genesis 8:6)
  There is a difference between the number 9 (which is completion) and the number 40. In the number nine (the last of the single digits) all is completed in this series, or nothing more can be added in order to fulfill this series. Sometimes we see judgment attached to number nine, as all is finished and then comes judgment. Although judgment can be seen in the forty days and forty nights when the world was overcome with death and destruction; the earth, however, was given a reprieve, but there was no reprieve for the dwellers of the world except for eight souls. These eight souls (remember the number eight is the number of new beginnings, and resurrection) were given an opportunity to live anew in a new cleansed earth. The antediluvian dwellers were judged (I can’t use the phrase ‘severely judged’ because they received what they sowed). They were judged righteously by a Holy and Righteous Creator. The world, however, under the government of Noah and his sons, was allowed to, once again, bring forth life. Forty, therefore, is also connected with renewal wherein God, the Sovereign God, the Creator God, offered mankind an opportunity to begin again, refreshed, but also still trial.
The Number Forty
  Let us learn from this double digit of 40 some basic spiritual lessons. Remember, God teaches in basic numbers, not in algebra, nor calculus, nor through trigonometry and for this I am very grateful. Through its factors 4 and 10 we can understand the significance of the total (4×10=40). Four, of course, signifies the world (north, south, east, and west). Ten is the number of not only God’s Divine Order, but ‘ten’ also leads us to understand more of His Governmental Order. It is a number that speaks of His completeness, the end of the single digits, and the beginning and first of the double digits. Nothing more can be added to its perfection, the series of numbers is complete in every progression of tens. When multiplying these two numbers we see that God’s Divine order is set over the factor of 4. God’s governmental order is complete, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do, He will accomplish in relationship to His possession: Earth.
  Later in Scripture, God broadens the meaning to include His nation, Israel, and His servants. This is one of the teaching methods that God uses: first introduce a subject, then add to that later, and then even later add again. This is how mankind learns, here a little, there a little until it all comes into view.
For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little: (Isaiah 28:10)
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. (Isaiah 28:13)
  This precept upon precept method of teaching that God uses allows man to slowly come to grips with various basic pieces of information until the learner sees the entire picture and scope of the subject matter.
  Newborn Christians often desire to rush to the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to learn about what is going to happen in the future without first understanding that the book of Revelation is steeped in Old Testament symbolism, and associations of names and peoples. There can be no understanding of the last book in Scripture without the first book in Scripture: Genesis. Many older Christians are also drawn into wanting to know about the future drama written in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ without understanding the precepts within the Old Testament and miss out on the beauty that lives within the Old Testament. I already know the future, I know that I will be conformed to His image and will be like Him. I know that I will see Him face to face. I know that my salvation is eternal. I know that the Judge of the whole world WILL judge the whole world. I know all this and more, and how do I know? because ALL of my Bible tells me about my God, and about His power, and about His love and grace from Genesis Chapter 1 onward. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29)
Noah and the Number Forty
For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. (Genesis 7:4)
And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. (Genesis 7:12)
And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. (Genesis 7:17)
And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: (Genesis 8:6)
  The number forty is associated with Noah six times (the number of man). This documentation of a universal flood was a judgment on all of mankind (less 8 souls), and through this documentation (I refuse to call the flood ‘a story’) God informs us that He has every right to judge MAN (6), and the world (4), and that this is all in His divine perfect order (10) (4+6=10). God’s judgment is a hard thing for the natural man to come to grips with. Six times the number forty is mentioned in the flood record, and this number carries with it more meaning than judgment. It also signifies renewal because life will once again spring from the waters of judgment, and the world and its dwellers will be faced with trial upon trial. Although we actually SEE the number forty recorded six times in the flood record indicating trial and judgment, there are, however, other numbers not as visible as the number forty. Stay with me on this particular view because this would be the unseen message from the unseen Spirit of God in this trial of judgment, renewal, and resurrection.
The Timeline of the Flood
The First Timeline
  This was the beginning of the end of the old world in its exact time. The year was based on the time of Noah’s life: 600. (This judgment on earth dwellers and on the world was specifically counted based on Noah’s age, so that we would have an established timeline because mankind cannot live outside of a timeline. Everything about man is based on time.) And 600 is very clearly God’s divine order multiplied: meaning that His order for man was established and founded on His everlasting Word (Himself) settled in heaven.) (6x10x10=600) BUT there is another view of the number 600. It is sin multiplied to its fullest. It is the imagination of mankind in its evil propensity overflowing with corruption and depravity that removes sanity and reason from humanity until the ‘human’ in ‘human’ity is replaced with the basest and lowest form of bestial thoughts and actions: sin at its climax: the physical, emotional, and spiritual death of man where mankind ceases to be human and becomes an animal. The month was the second month: God set this time. The Jewish calendar of days, months, and years had not yet been set when Moses wrote guided by the breath of God the Holy Spirit. And the day was the seventeenth day of the month.
  What is the message in these numbers: the second month, and the seventeenth day? This would be a good time in this article to include a disclaimer. It is always necessary to add a disclaimer when writing about numbers. The study of numbers in Scripture should not draw you away into a realm of make-believe and into a world of notional or speculative ideas. This is the danger in the study of numbers: always stay grounded in the basics, but nevertheless, the Holy Spirit of God teaches spiritual lesson through numbers. Therefore, let us move further into the number of forty.
  The second month is the witness of God of another beginning, a renewal or a resurrection of the old world remolded and washed clean from the sin and corruption of the old world.
  The seventeenth day is also mentioned only twice in Genesis. Both reminding us of God’s rest in the number 7 and in God’s Divine order in the number ten.
The Second Time Line
  Notice the number of seven, God made sure that even the ark (and all who were within) would rest on the seventh.
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. (Genesis 2:1) And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.(Genesis 2:2) And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. (Genesis 2:3)
It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. (Exodus 31:17)
Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them. (Ezekiel 20:12) 2:3)
Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
  As in the creation (which is documented in Genesis Chapter 1 and 2) God rested. Thus, after His work of judgment on His earth, and His resurrection power in remolding this renewed world. God rested, and all within the ark rested in Him finally grounded on a mountain: grounded and settled on a mountain rock. The Holy Spirit of God lays before us a correlation between the creation in Genesis 1 and 2 with the renewed world prepared for a new beginning with eight souls dramatically brought through a survival event not ever experience before or since.
The Third Time Line
  For three months the waters continued to violently stream downward cutting canyons and forming deep crevices as the raging water searched out its lowest point into the deepest trenches of the seas. Mountain ranges were reshaped, and a new landscape restructured by collapsing mountain rocks, sand, and sediment. During these three months the land began to break (sink and rise) as cracks and fissures formed due to the weight of the water. Even stone could no longer hold back the power of water. Nothing can withstand the power and energy of the force of water unleashed and looking for a home.
  Of course, the forty days and the forty nights of torrential rains along with the cataclysmic upheaval of the fountains of the deep was the first strike against mankind, the second strike came against the world when these forces of energized water reshaped the very world itself. Do not just read lightly over the words of Genesis Chapter 7 and 8 but consider the total range of what water (in its force) can accomplish.
  Then (after three months) (the number three here shows the unification of the Godhead in this event of trial, judgment, and renewal). In the tenth month, the number of God’s divine and governmental order and perfection and on the first day of the month, finally the tops of mountains could be seen. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, (Mark 16:2)
  Water (still or flowing) is often a symbol of the Spirit of God in Scripture, However, the Holy Spirit (through His words in Scripture) often connects raging seas and angry waters with the raging of the nations and its rebellious angry people because water is not the only thing that seeks its lowest point.
Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. (Psalm 89:9)
Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power: (Psalm 65:6) Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people. (Psalm 65:7)
Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters! (Isaiah 17:12) The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. (Isaiah 17:13)
And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. (Luke 8:24) And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. (Luke 8:25)
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. (Jude 1:11)
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; (Jude 1:12)
Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. (Jude 1:13)
The Fourth Time Line
  Then exactly one year from the first drop of rain, and in the first month, and on the first day all waters from the rain above, and from the fountains of the great deep had settled into seas, ponds, rivers, streams, and underground caverns. The waters were dried up from off the earth. Did you notice the tripart oneness of this new world created by the Godhead bodily in judgment as the world in Genesis in Chapter 1, verses 1 and 2? In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1) And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2) Here in Genesis Chapter 8 there wasn’t a new heaven, but there was another reconstructed earth formed by the judgment of raging water upon the sinful rebellious dwellers of the earth, and the world itself had been judged, reshaped, renewed and refreshed by the waters.
Side Note: In the description of the creation in Genesis Chapter 1, verses 1 and 2, the waters stand out within the description of a formless earth void of light and stability. In the description of the universal flood, we have almost the same conditions in that the waters have a dominate role in this new creation.
The Fifth Time Line
  The year per God’s statement is 601, the month is the second month, and the day is the 27th day. How long did Noah and the other seven souls stay in this survival barge? It was 40 days and 40 nights of torrential rain and watering spewing and coughing out from the very bowels of the earth, but it was 1 year and 10 days that Noah was in this ark. Here it is again, the number 10, God’s divine order. God’s will, God’s purpose, and God’s plan was perfected and completed in His time. The cycle has been completed, and a new cycle would commence. The number ten ends the single digits, but it also is the beginning of another cycle of digits. This circle is complete, and the next circle (within a circle) would begin. This is God’s message: He decides, and He alone controls what happens in this world, and in that world, and in the world to come, the wheel within the wheel. The Divine Order is the Order of God, it is the Government of God: it is Perfect and Righteous.
Side Note: This World, That World, and The World to come: Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36)
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. (John 13:1)
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:20) Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (Ephesians 1:21)
But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: (Luke 20:35) Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. (John 20:35)
The End of the Timeline and The Beginning of a New Timeline
And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. (Genesis 7:1)
  First, the Lord said unto Noah, Come. He did not say, Go into the ark, but Come into the ark because the Lord would be in the ark with His faithful servant. When finally, the ark came to rest, the Lord then said, Go forth, a small point, but very important. The Lord promised never to leave his children even in the direst of circumstances. I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5b)
And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. (Genesis 28:15)
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. (Psalm 121:7) The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. (Psalm 121:8)
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4)
And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. (Luke 14:17)
Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
And God spake unto Noah, saying, (Genesis 8:15)
Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons’ wives with thee. (Genesis 8:16)
  We cannot end here because not only does the number forty signify trial, but it carries with it the concept of renewal. This renewed world went through judgment, and total destruction, and yet, it was resurrected from the waters of death. There is a judgment coming that this world will again face judgment and will emerge into a new time period of what we call the millennial age under the hand of the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ. This too will end, and this cycle also will be completed. There will be judgment and destruction, but this time there will NOT be renewal. The old earth, our earth, will not be renewed, but destroyed and a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH will be created. (A new heaven and a new earth require a new people born of the Spirit of God to inhabit this new heaven and this new earth.) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1) God’s eternal state will swallow up time (that there should be time no longer, Revelation 10:6), for time will cease; and sin and death will be no more. This is God’s divine order (10) for man (6) that the old man (Adam) will be no more. Man desperately tries to hold onto Adam, even wishing and teaching that Adam can achieve a place in the new heaven and in the new earth. Adam is dead, he died on the cross as Paul stated in Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21)
 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Corinthians 15:49)
 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)
The Old Testament records:
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. (Isaiah 25:8)
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. (Isaiah 25:9)
The New Testament Reaffirms the Old Testament
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:54)
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55)
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:56)
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
The Trials of Noah
For those who have time, I suggest reading these articles on Noah / Noe. The good thing about the internet is that you can bookmark, save, and copy anything that you want to get back to.Â
  Before the flood Noah endured a trial of rejection (by the masses of the soon to be dead masses) because he was a preacher of righteousness.
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)
  What a wonderful testimony to the faith that Noah lived. He believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. As Abraham believed God, so did Noah; thus Noah acted in belief and righteousness was imputed to him as it was imputed to Abraham. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23)
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (John 15:14) Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. (John 15:15)
  The vastness within our God is more than finite minds and hearts can comprehend. We have difficulty in understanding that our Creator can express Himself as Judge, Creator, Savior, Holy, Righteous, and yes, even as a Friend. This Friend keeps nothing back from those who love Him. Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7) We (mankind) actually hamper God’s outreach as a Friend to us because of our unbelief. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? (John 3:12)
  Noah believed. Under the same conditions, would YOU have believed God? Would YOU have trusted God? Would YOU have acted outside of all human reasoning? Would YOU have been faithful in preaching the righteousness of God to a world preparing themselves for their own destruction? LISTEN UP — we are exactly in the same conditions as in the age of Noah, God’s judgment is definitely ahead, and those around us are preparing for their own demise: the loss of their souls. The examples in the book of Hebrews in Chapter 11 of men and women living faith every day against ALL opinions, and against ALL adversaries are given to us (by the Spirit of God) to strengthen and to encourage us in the battle and trial of our faith.
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. (Luke 17:26)
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. (Luke 17:27)
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: (Hebrews 11:39)
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:40)
© Copyright 2019, Mary Haigh
This article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the authorized King James Bible. (KJV)