First Person: BAR’s 40th Birthday

This issue marks BAR’s 40th birthday. The first issue is dated March 1975.

Over the years we’ve celebrated in various ways—even a little raucously. See, for example, our 200th-issue celebration (July/August/September/October 2009) or our 35th-birthday issue (March/April 2011). Forty, however, seems generational, more contemplative—more Biblical, if you will, more an occasion for reflection than for tooting our horn.

Forty, of course, is especially significant in the Bible. Isaac was 40 when he married Rebekah (Genesis 25:20). Israel wandered in the desert 40 years before reaching the Promised Land (Numbers 32:13). Caleb was 40 when Moses sent him to spy out the land (Joshua 14:7). Eli judged Israel for 40 years (1 Samuel 4:18).

David reigned 40 years (2 Samuel 5:4; 1 Kings 2:11).

Solomon reigned 40 years (1 Kings 11:42).