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FASTING (1) Old Testament Introduction: Fasting is the subject we are addressing tonight. I realize we probably had a good breakfast, hearty dinner, and supper either before or after our services tonight. We live in a culture of food. Fast food places such as McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and others make it easy to grab a bite to eat. In fact, eating is part of our culture and social activity. Many religions associate eating with part of their worship to God. Fellowship halls are largely cafeteria’s for the membership to eat together in. Yet occasionally the subject of fasting arises. What does the Bible say about fasting? What is fasting? Why did people fast in the Bible? Are we to be fasting today? If so, how, why, and when? I) Fasting A) Normally fasting involves abstaining from all food but not water. 1. This means no Big Mac’s, steak and potatoes 2. You could drink water and perhaps some other liquids B) Partial fast involves a restriction of diet but not total abstention, Daniel 10.2-3 1. We may think of this as a restricted diet. John the immerser and Samson are two examples a. Judges 13.4, 7 "Drink no wine or similar drinks, nor eat anything unclean". b. "and his food was locusts and wild honey" Matthew 3.4 C) On rare occasions we read of an absolute fast 1. Meaning no food or liquids 2. The people and animals of Nineveh were on an absolute fast, Jonah 3.5-10 3. Esther requested her fellow Jews to "fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day" Esther 4.16. D) Fast requiring divine intervention 1. Moses fasted 40 days without eating or drinking liquids, Deut. 9.9 2. Elijah went without food or drink for 40 days and nights, 1 Kings 19.7-8 II) The Length of Fasts A) One day, sunrise to sunset, after sundown food could be taken, Judges 20.26 2. The Israelites fasted at the death of Saul and Jonathan, 2 Samuel 1.12 3. David’s mourning for Abner, 2 Samuel 3.35 B)The king fasted one night, while Daniel was in the lions den, Daniel 6.18 C) Esther fasted for three days and nights, Esther 4.16 D) Seven days at the burial of Saul and Jonathan, 1 Samuel 31.13 E) Forty days – Moses (Exodus 34.28); Elijah (1 Kings 19.8) III) Why People Fasted A) Commanded on the Day of Atonement, Lev. 16.29-31; Jeremiah 36.6; Acts 27.9 1. The only fast commanded in the Law of Moses B) In times of war or the threat of war, Judges 20.26 C) During sickness and/or death 1. David fasted for his son, 2 Samuel 12.16-23 2. David and his people fasted for Saul and Jonathan, 2 Samuel 1.12 D) When seeking God’s forgiveness, connected to repentance 1. Moses fasted 40 days because of the sin of Israel, Deut. 9.15.18 2. Ahab fasted to be forgiven, 1 Kings 21.17-29 (v. 27) 3. Nineveh fasted at the preaching of Jonah, Jonah 3.4 – 10 4. Daniel fasted as he confessed the sins of Israel, Daniel 9.3-5 5. The remnant fasted as they heard the reading of the Law of God, Neh. 9.1-3 E)) In times of distress 1. Nehemiah fasted when he heard the state of Jerusalem, Nehemiah 1.4 2. The Jews fasted when they heard that Haman had obtain the kings decree against them, Esther 4.3 V) The Purpose of Fasting A) A natural reaction to stress and grief, i.e. death of loved ones 1. We often encourage our loved ones to eat when they are fasting 2. David did not continue to fast but stopped when the need ended B) To discipline or afflict the soul, Psalm 69.10 1. Keep in mind we are talking about the soul and not the physical body 2. It was not a means of losing weight but drawing closer to God C) To humble the soul, Psalm 35.13 D) To ask God’s favor, Ezra 9 1. Forgiveness of sin 2. Loved ones to be healed 3. Protection from danger 4. Deliverance from one’s enemies E) Fasting almost always connected to prayer VI) Warnings About Fasting A) Fasting can turn into an external show and ceremonial ritualism, Isaiah 58 1. The people complained they had fasted and God had not seen them, Isaiah 58.3a 2. They were not fasting for the right reason, Isaiah 58.3b-5 3. God says instead of fasting He wanted to see the following: a. Loose the bonds of wickedness, v. 6 b. Let the oppressed go free, v. 6 c. Share bread with the hungry, v. 7 d. Cover the naked, v. 7 B) Fasting was not a substitute for obedience 1. The people wanted to know if they should continue to fast, Zech. 7.3 2. Their purpose of fasting was wrong, Zech. 7.4-6 3. Instead of fasting they should have been obeying the Law, Zech. 7.7-10 4. Their fast was of no value, Zech. 11 – 14 ** Special note: King Saul foolishly imposed a fast on his army while battling the Philistines, 1 Samuel 14.24ff Conclusion: So far we have seen that fasting is a Biblical subject. Was practiced in various forms and for different lengths of time; was done individually and sometimes as a group; and for different reasons. It was more than just not eating. The common theme was it was to please God to show one’s reliance on Him. D.T. @ Westside Church of Christ 11.11.07 (Editor's Note: Material from this lesson was borrowed from too many sources to name. Wilson Adam's and Mark Copeland were two of the sources.) |