May have even fasted for the cause of the Lord Have you ever fasted? If answered “no” – probably have, but didn’t consider that you were “fasting” May have even fasted for the cause of the Lord

What Does The Bible Say About Fasting? Why was fasting practiced? Is it commanded today? Why do we not fast? Is it that we do fast today? What, if any, regulations are given about fasting?

Defined nesteia (νηστεία, 3521), “a fasting, fast” (from ne, a negative prefix, and esthio, “to eat”), is used (a) of voluntary abstinence from food, Luke 2:37; Acts 14:23 (some mss. have it in Matt. 17:21 and Mark 9:29); “fasting” had become a common practice among Jews, and was continued among Christians; in Acts 27:9, “the Fast” refers to the Day of Atonement, Lev. 16:29; that time of the year would be one of dangerous sailing; (b) of involuntary abstinence (perhaps voluntary is included), consequent upon trying circumstances, 2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27. Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, pp. 227228). Fast: “to cause to abstain entirely from or limit food; put on a fast” Dictionary.com

What Does The Bible Say About Fasting? In The Old Testament

Here a fast for a day – established by the Lord In The Old Testament Day of Atonement Lev. 16:29-31 – “afflict your souls” (“shall fast” ESV fn) Lev. 23:27-32 – “afflict your souls” Isa. 58:3, 5 – “afflict souls” = fasting By the time of Jeremiah – called “fasting day” (36:6) By NT times – call “the Fast” (Acts 27:9) Here a fast for a day – established by the Lord

In The Old Testament Day of Atonement Public Fast Proclaimed by the King (2 Chron. 20:3)

In The Old Testament Day of Atonement Public Fast Proclaimed by the King (2 Chron. 20:3) Four Annual Fast (Zech. 8:19) 4th month – when wall of Jer. broken (Jer. 52:6-7) 5th month – when temple was burnt (Jer. 52:12-13; 2 Kings 25:8-9) 7th month – Insurrection against Gedaliah (Jer. 41:1-3) 10th month – Nebuchadnezzar’s final siege against Jer. (Jer. 52:4-5; 2 Kings 25;1) https://rcg.org/p120.a.html “The observance of these fasts seems, by the Lord’s answer, to have been neither enjoined nor forbidden…” (Pulpit)

In The Old Testament Day of Atonement Public Fast Proclaimed by the King (2 Chron. 20:3) Four Annual Fast (Zech. 8:19) Examples Moses (Exo. 34:28;Deut. 9:18) David (2 Sam. 1:12; 12:12-23) Elijah (1 Kings 19:8) Daniel (Dan. 10:2-3) Jews in exile (Zech. 7:1-7) Jehoiakim (Jer. 36:6, 9) People of Ninevah (Jonah 3:5) Esther and the Jews (Esther 4:16)

Fasting Practiced by the Jews What Does The Bible Say About Fasting? In The Old Testament In The New Testament Fasting Practiced by the Jews From OT Influence

In The New Testament Jesus’ Teaching on Fasting Matt. 6:16-18 – not done to be seen of men Matt. 9:14-15 – when he is gone Parallel: Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-35 Fast when mourning Point: when it is appropriate (i.e. David – 2 Sam. 12:12-23)

In The New Testament Jesus’ Teaching on Fasting Examples: Jesus (Matt. 4:1-ff) Disciples at Antioch (Acts 13:3) Early churches (Acts 14:23) Paul 2 Cor. 6:5 – distress 2 Cor. 11:27 Acts 27:33 Pharisees (Luke 5:33; 18:12)

In The New Testament Jesus’ Teaching on Fasting Examples: Paul’s Instruction on Separation (1 Cor. 7:5) Not commanded to separate – but only under these conditions Thus, no injunction to fast Question Minority Text –vs- Majority Text – “fasting” only appears in KJV & NKJV

Fasting? In The Old Testament In The New Testament Causes What Does The Bible Say About Fasting? In The Old Testament In The New Testament Causes

Causes Doom – Calamity 1 Kings 21:27 – Ahab when he heard condemnation (v. 24) Joel 1:14; 2:12 – Joel pronounced doom (2:11) Judges 20:26 – At war with Benjamites & great loss 1 Sam. 28:20 – Saul over the doom he faced (vv. 17-19)

Causes Doom – Calamity Sorrow 1 Sam. 31:13 – Men of Jabesh over Saul’s death 1 Kings 19:8 – Elijah fleeing from Jezebel 2 Sam. 1:11-12 – David over Saul & Jonathan’s death

Causes Doom – Calamity Sorrow Penitence for sin 2 Sam. 12:16-23 – cf. v. 13 - David 1 Sam. 7:6 – Samuel judged & lead in fast Acts 9:9 – Saul realized he was in sin Jonah 3:5 – Nineveh repented

Causes Doom – Calamity Sorrow Penitence for sin Humility (Psa. 35:13)

Causes Doom – Calamity Sorrow Penitence for sin Humility (Psa. 35:13) Petition Dan. 9:3 Pleading with the Lord – turn away his wrath

Causes Doom – Calamity Sorrow Penitence for sin Humility (Psa. 35:13) Petition Dedication to the Lord’s Work Matt. 4:2 – Jesus fasted Acts 13:2-3; 14:23 – Focused on preaching & eldership 2 Cor. 6:5; 11:27 – Paul fasted in his work

Causes Doom – Calamity Sorrow Penitence for sin Humility (Psa. 35:13) Petition Dedication to the Lord’s Work Concern (2 Sam. 12:12-23)

Fasting? In The Old Testament In The New Testament Causes What Does The Bible Say About Fasting? In The Old Testament In The New Testament Causes Facts & Conclusions

Facts & Conclusions Different Times & Lengths Annual (Acts 27:9) Weekly (Luke 18:12) Seven days (1 Sam. 31:13) Three days and nights (Esther 4:15-16) All day (Lev. 16:23) Part of a day (2 Sam. 1:12)

Facts & Conclusions Different Times & Lengths Only One Commanded in OT Day of Atonement commanded by God (Lev. 16) Other fasts seem to be either voluntary, customary or instituted by man (i.e. King)

Facts & Conclusions Different Times & Lengths Only One Commanded in OT Not Commanded, but Permitted in NT Not a command to fast in NT Not forbidden or condemned in NT Thus, allowed or permitted - voluntary No instructions for fasting: No time given No instruction for observance No description for how long it should last Thus, would be determined by each individual and each circumstance

Facts & Conclusions Different Times & Lengths Only One Commanded in OT Not Commanded, but Permitted in NT Are Benefits to Fasting Else, why did so many do it? Health benefits (cleansing effect) Help hone a keener edge on self-discipline (i.e. Mt 4) Allows greater focus on spiritual

Facts & Conclusions Different Times & Lengths Only One Commanded in OT Not Commanded, but Permitted in NT In Some Cases it Was Not a Cause – but Effect Mark 2:18-20; 2 Sam. 12:16-23 Circumstances cause it – rather than planned

Facts & Conclusions Different Times & Lengths Only One Commanded in OT Not Commanded, but Permitted in NT In Some Cases it Was Not a Cause – but Effect We do Fast Today In times of sorrow – either can’t or will not eat Involved in work to the degree don’t eat Others – set aside a certain time to fast

Fasting? In The Old Testament In The New Testament Causes What Does The Bible Say About Fasting? In The Old Testament In The New Testament Causes Facts & Conclusions Warnings

Warnings Must Never be Used as a Substitute for Godly Living Isa. 58 – Fasted, yet pursued their own pleasure May feel deeply spiritual – while living in sin

Warnings Must Never be Used as a Substitute for Godly Living Must Not be Used as an Occasion to Show or Display Matt. 6:16-18 If practiced – should not be flaunted before others If practiced – should not make others feel obligated

Warnings Must Never be Used as a Substitute for Godly Living Must Not be Used as an Occasion to Show or Display Must Not Allow it to Ignite a Spirit of Smugness or Self -Righteousness Luke 18:9-14 Easy to feel spiritually superior over those who may not practice it

Fasting? In The Old Testament In The New Testament Causes What Does The Bible Say About Fasting? In The Old Testament In The New Testament Causes Facts & Conclusions Warnings