The LORD said to Moses, “Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone who has an infectious skin disease or a discharge of any kind, or who is ceremonially unclean because of a dead body. Send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them.”
Numbers 5:1-3
Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I stumbled across that the English word “quarantine” comes from a Latin root meaning “forty”. This word was first used when ships containing people or goods would “quarantine” at a port for 40 days. During that time, ships were tested for signs of infection, which was especially critical during the 14th century black plague.
The Testing of Faith
In the Bible, the number 40 has even older associations with testing and purifying from infection. First, consider another 40-day “quarantined” boat: Noah’s ark. You might recall this story as a colorful children’s tale of a happy floating Biblical zoo; however, in reality, this was much darker. The pandemic effects of sin had spread so much that God’s best course of containment was to hit a cosmic undo button on creation. Yet, even then, God didn’t destroy everyone; He spared Noah and his family, along with various animals. He quarantined them from the destructive flood for 40 rainy days and nights, followed by several months of receding flood waters.
While Noah’s family observed God’s “shelter in place” order in the cramped quarters of the boat, reflect on their trust in God. The world around them was literally reverting to the primordial chaos of Genesis 1, and all they could cling to was faith in God (Hebrews 11:7). Or, fast-forward to the 40 years of “quarantined” wilderness testing the Israelites endured. They needed to rely daily on God’s provision in a desolate desert while He disinfected them of the life they had grown accustom to in Egypt (Deuteronomy 8:2). Even Jesus went into self-isolation for 40 days, undergoing a time of testing before beginning His earthly ministry (Luke 4:1-2).
Testing with a Purpose
God sometimes puts our lives in quarantine, too (physically or spiritually), whether it’s for 40 days, weeks, or years. In the case of physical diseases like COVID, the primary point of quarantining isn’t in hopes that a person tests positive for a disease. Rather, it is for their benefit, to prevent them from getting or spreading the disease.
Likewise, the primary purpose of the spiritual tests and trials God puts in our paths is for our benefit. Though uncomfortable, God doesn’t want us to suffer, but rather, to build trust and reliance on Him with the goal to pass the test. Additionally, this spiritual quarantine can isolate us from the contaminating sin and idols that draw us away from Him; after all, that’s what the word “holiness” literally means: to be set apart.
Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of Lent, which originated from this idea of 40 days of testing. There are 40 days (plus Sundays) from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. Just as God brought Noah, the Israelites, and Jesus through their times of trial with renewed faith, trust, and calling, He can do the same with us today.
Let us use this quarantined Lenten time, not to social distance from God, but to isolate ourselves from sin. May we draw nearer to Him and emerge from this period of testing as healthy followers of Christ. Take some time of holy isolation to disinfect from the contagious contamination of sin.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2-3
Loved your 40 day entry. So true! Thankyou.