Fasting

What is fasting? Most people can probably tell us what fasting means, “abstaining from food,” but how many do we know who can tell us the purpose of fasting? It is a good question, and one that I was asked a few weeks ago. As Christians, we study the Bible and see that the Jews under the Mosaic Law fasted; the Pharisees in the time of Christ fasted; even those who were neither Jew nor Christian fasted. It is a subject that is not often studied and because of this there are many questions surrounding it. Why did the Jews fast? Were they commanded to fast? Are we as Christians supposed to fast? Is fasting considered worship to God? In this article, we will look at different places throughout the scriptures that will help us to understand what fasting is and the reason behind it.

The Command

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord” (Lev. 23:26-27, NKJ). This is the only place in the Bible where God commands a fast as a regular observance. The Day of Atonement was a time set up for the Israelites to reflect on God’s forgiving them of their sins. In “afflicting their souls,” they were to fast and pray, thinking on the abomination that was their sin and God’s grace in forgiving them.

Because of Sin

Other than the Day of Atonement there is no other command of God to fast. The Jews realized the purpose of the fasting on this day and applied it throughout their lives. The Israelites fasted in recognition of their sins as in First Samuel 7:6, “So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the Lord. And they fasted that day, and said there, We have sinned against the Lord. And Samuel judged the children of Israel at Mizpah.” Also, in Nehemiah, when the children of Israel took for themselves wives of the pagan nations, “So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Neh. 9:1). This fasting did not come about just from a mere recognition of their sins but from a deep sorrow over their sins and a desire to repent of them.

Because of Sorrow

Also, we find that the Jews would fast when faced with great hardship or sorrow. When the Jews were under threat of annihilation from Haman in the Book of Esther, they lamented greatly. “And in every province where the king’s command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes” (Est. 4:3). Fasting was done is sorrow over ones who died as well. “And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword” (2 Sam. 1:12).

To Entreat God

People also fasted to entreat God to act on their behalf, again in time of great need. “So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer” (Ezr. 8:23). This worked even for those who were not always faithful but were willing to lower themselves before God. “So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning” (1 Kgs. 21:27). Fasting did not always work, especially when it was not done with the proper attitude. “Why have we fasted , they say, and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice? In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers” (Isa 58:3). Fasting also did not work when it was not according to God’s will. “And he said, While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live” (2 Sam. 12:22).

To Show Gravity

In the New Testament, fasting was done many times to show the seriousness of a situation or work. “So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (Acts 14:23). When the first century Christians fasted it was a solemn event that was done not as worship to God but to express the importance of what they were doing. “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away” (Acts 13:2-3).

Conclusion

There were several reasons throughout the Bible for fasting. The only time it was commanded by God was during the Day of Atonement and was only for the Jews under the Law of Moses. Fasting is nowhere found in the New Testament as a part of Christian worship to God and because of this, we as Christians today are not authorized to worship God in this way. Fasting is a way to show grief, sorrow, or regret. We do it today without even realizing it many times. We may hear someone say, “Joe is so upset over the loss of his mom he has not eaten all day.” Fasting is more the result of feelings someone has than a planned event. It is not wrong to fast nor is it right: it is up to the individual. In Matthew 4:2, after Christ had fasted forty days and nights in the wilderness, the Bible says, “He was hungry.” Fasting may mean different things to different people, but it is sure to do one thing for us: like Christ, it will make us hungry!