The answer is: 40

Josh 5:6

The story of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for 40 years is a rich tapestry of lessons and reflections in the context of their liberation from Egypt. This extensive journey wasn’t just a matter of physical travel; it represented a transformative period of growth and learning. Think of it: an entire generation passing away in the desert before reaching the Promised Land. This wasn’t merely a punishment but a vital process of purging the old ways and preparing for a new identity as a cohesive and faithful people.

Interestingly, the number 40 pops up all over the Bible, symbolizing a time of trial or testing. Noah endured 40 days and nights of rain, and Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness. These parallels demonstrate a reoccurring theme where challenges precede character refinement and deeper understanding.

Throughout those grueling travels—where they faced hunger, thirst, and uncertainty—the Israelites received sustenance from divine sources: the miraculous manna from heaven and water from rock, echoing humanity's spirit of resilience and dependence on something greater. You can’t help but feel the irony of a group born into slavery finding freedom, only to spend decades learning how to live in that freedom.

In Joshua 5:6, the rugged term “wilderness” symbolizes both the trials faced and the spiritual wilderness everyone experiences at various points in their lives. These trials encourage community and dependence on one another, paving the way for deeper gratitude and appreciation of the sacred places in our journeys, both literal and metaphorical.