The word “quarantine” actually has a meaning connected to the number 40. From Italian, it means ‘space of 40 days.’ From Latin, it gets it’s origin from quadraginta ‘forty’ which is related to quattor ‘the number four.’ Christ fasted for 40 days in the desert in his battle against satan. As we mentioned before, the number 40 is connected to order and judgement, but also rest, as in the book of Judges (Judges 3:11).

So, what do the candles have to do with it? In Jewish traditions, the night before the Shabbat (Sabbath, or rest) they often lit two candles. This was done the night before the seventh day, so there would be no work performed in making a fire to light the candle on day seven because it was supposed to be a day of rest from their labors (Ex. 35:3). Those that follow Christ are not under the Law, to fulfill the seventh day of rest as in the Old Testament times, BUT are commanded to observe the Sabbath. How is that done under the Law of the Spirit?

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

This is the rest from the carnal nature and the work of the world without the Spirit’s leading in all of it. God has allowed a ‘Sabbath’ during this quarantine time. This Sabbath is supposed to be used for Him, to seek Him in all things. As we obey in all things, He moves us forward to walk in His holiness (1Pet. 1:13-16). Through obedience, we set apart the “Sabbath” as being holy and this will bring forth His blessing, the sanctification (Ex. 16:23; 20:8; Gen. 2:3; John 17:19; 1 John 3:3; 1Thess. 4:3-8).

In addition, God has offered this 40 days of rest (His grace) as a time to remember Him and in this time He has been releasing towards the end of it, a double portion of His manna (for those that have been listening to Him speak and obeying). Why is that? Because they needed to ‘fill themselves up’ prior to the final day of rest because God isn’t going to provide after this rest, for a period. This provision of His Spirit is going to be used to sustain them for that ‘day’ or period. A ‘night’ period is coming when no one can work… (John 9:4). He’s called forth a fast at this time, but not as many think (Isa. 58).

In this rest period, HE began to break the chains of injustice and untied the cords of yoke to set the oppressed free! Do you not see it? This rest was to break all those He’s called to be set free from what they’ve been connected to for SO LONG! He has seen enough of those ‘humbling’ themselves all in order to only return back to their oppressive ways: to exploit all their workers, continue on in their quarreling and strife, striking each other. This fast with wrong motives will not be answered.

It’s not just about being humble before the Lord, BUT being truly willing and wanting to break free from your oppressive ways. God says that oppression turns a wise person into a fool and bribes corrupts the heart (Ecc. 7:7). This spirit has corrupted many peoples’ hearts, those that are His as well. It’s caused people to not seek God in all that they do, therefore unjustly gaining their ‘fortunes’ (Jer. 17:11). However, if you have truly sought out God in complete obedience in this rest time, you will find joy in the Lord. And, you will ride in triumph on the heights of the land. Your light will continue to be lit in a day of darkness. You will not fail because His Spirit has quenched your thirst and your weakness in the flesh has now become His strength in the Spirit, within your frame.

Do not do as you please in this hour. For this is to be a time of delight in the Lord. Hear what the Spirit is saying…