NUMBER FORTY (1)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) Forty has long been universally recognized as an important number, both on account of the frequency of its occurrence, and the uniformity of its association with a period of probation, trial, and chastisement - (not judgment, like the number 9, which stands in connection with the punishment of enemies, but the chastisement of sons, and of a covenant people).

b) The number 40 is the product of 5 and 8, and points to the action of grace (5), leading to and ending in revival and renewal (8). This is certainly the case where Forty relates to a period of evident probation. But where it relates to enlarged dominion, or to renewed or extended rule, then it does so in virtue of its factors 4 and 10, and in harmony with their signification. There are several such periods which appear on the surface of the Scriptures.

c) Forty is mentioned 146 times in Scripture. It points to or symbolizes trial and testing, or probation.


The End ...

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