What is the significance of the number 40 in relation to Israel?
The number 40 signifies Israel's time of testing. Israel's testing over and over was in terms of 40 years, not necessarily exact. The healed man was above 40 years old, and Israel's return to the land in 1948 places it in a 40-something time scale, indicating an important period.
Les explains that Scripture gives the crippled man's age as above 40 years old, prompting the question of why 40-something is mentioned. He points out that Israel's time of testing repeatedly was in terms of 40 years, though not necessarily exact. Applying this pattern, Les notes Israel has been back in the land since 1948 and is now in a 40-something time scale. While he does not set dates, he says there is something important about a 40-year time scale when dealing with Israel.