Can God Fast?! Part 3

OCCASIONS FOR FASTING IN THE BIBLE

After the transfiguration, Jesus performed a healing miracle when He healed a demon–possessed boy at the foot of the mountain. He used this experience to teach His disciples about the effectiveness of fasting, especially the one done alongside with prayer. Jesus disciples asked Him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon” Jesus straight forwardly answered them“...However, this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting” Matthew 17:20-21.




Fasting had served various purposes in the Bible both in the Old Testament and New Testament. The following are seven major purposes drafted from the Bible.

Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2-3; 23:26-32; Hebrew 9:7):

Atonement is a way of reconciling sinners to God. It is a process whereby forgiveness of sin is granted, after a substitutionary sacrifice is made. In the old testament, atonement is performed in the most holy place by the High Priest and once in a year. Day of Atonement is a day declared by God and it is performed once in a year for The general purification of the whole Israelites. On the special day, which is usually on a Sabbath day, Israelites were to fast and cease from working: in fact, there is a punishment for anyone who fails to comply.

Mourning (1 Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel 1:12):

Israelites fast to show their grief and sorrow for the death of their loved ones especially when the person (or people) dies untimely.

Remorse For Sin (1 Kings 21:27; Nehemiah 9:1):

There is always a keen pain or anguish excited by a sense of guilt. In the Bible, fasting is sometimes done when there is painful memory of wrongdoing. People do fast in the Bible to show sorrow for sin.

Remembrance Of Calamity (Zechariah 8:19):

At a specific day of some months, Jews fast to remember the sadness of the exile. They fast to remember calamities that had befallen Judah and Jerusalem and a master one is called four fasts. The first one is to remember the day the city of Jerusalem was invaded by Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah. 52:6-7 and it is done on the 9th day of the fourth months (June/July = Early Summer). On the 10th day of the fifth month, Temple and houses of Jerusalem were burned,Jeremiah 52:12-13, fasting is thus done on fifth month (July/August = Mid Summer). Fast of the 3rd day of the seventh month (September/October – Autumn) marks the time Gedaliah was slain (2 Kings 25:25; Jeremiah. 40:8; 41:1-3). The last one was on 10th day of tenth month (December/January = Winter), the day the King of Babylon began attacking Jerusalem, Ezekiel. 24:1-2.

National Need (2 Chronicle 20:3; Esther 4:16; Joel. 2:12-17):

In the Bible days, fasting is done by a nation to show their devotion to God during a time of national need. Israel, especially practiced this when they were besieged, waylaid or being punished by the enemies.

Aid to prayer (2 Samuel 12:16-21; Daniel 9:3-4):

Fasting is done in the Bible to aid personal prayer and meditation. Personal prayer is always accompanied by fasting, especially a deep one.

Special Assignment / Task (Exodus 34:24; Acts of Apostles 13:2-3):

In fasting, Soul is humbled Psalms 35:13 so God can entrusts or gives His people task or assignment. Moses had to fast for forty days before God delivered the law to him. In the New Testament, the Apostle prayed and fasted before embarking or when preparing for missionary work. Even Jesus fasted before starting His earthly ministry.