“Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” – Isaiah 58:6
Understanding Fasting in the Old Testament
When we think about fasting, our minds often go to the physical act of abstaining from food. Yet, in the Old Testament, fasting held much deeper meaning. It was a spiritual discipline aimed at bringing us closer to God. The Israelites used fasting as a way to humble themselves and seek repentance. Through their commitment to fasting, they displayed an earnest desire to connect with God and recognize their dependence on Him, showcasing our trust in God’s timing and provision.
Exodus 34:28
“Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.” – Exodus 34:28
Leviticus 16:29
“This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work, whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you.” – Leviticus 16:29
1 Samuel 7:6
“When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, ‘We have sinned against the Lord.’ And Samuel was leader of Israel at Mizpah.” – 1 Samuel 7:6
2 Samuel 12:16
“David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground.” – 2 Samuel 12:16
Esther 4:16
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” – Esther 4:16
The Purpose of Fasting
Fasting in the Old Testament held a purpose beyond mere abstention from food. It was a call for a serious heart check. As we delve into biblical examples, we see that fasting was often tied to prayer and seeking clarity from God. It was intended to re-align our emotions and desires with God’s will. In doing so, we find strength to confront challenges, seek God’s guidance, and reflect on our spiritual state. Fasting draws us to the importance of prayer, reminding us that we need both for a vibrant faith.
Joel 2:12
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” – Joel 2:12
Isaiah 58:3
“Why have we fasted, they say, and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?” – Isaiah 58:3
1 Kings 21:27
“When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.” – 1 Kings 21:27
Nehemiah 1:4
“When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.” – Nehemiah 1:4
Daniel 9:3
“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.” – Daniel 9:3
Fasting and Humility
Fasting calls us to a deeper level of humility. In the Old Testament, fasting often came with the act of putting on sackcloth, as seen with many biblical figures. This shows us that fasting is not only about abstaining from food but also about being humbled before God, acknowledging our weaknesses and seeking His strength. We, too, can approach fasting with a heart willing to submit to God’s will and recognize our dependence on Him. It allows us to strip away distractions and focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God.
Psalm 35:13
“Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned unanswered.” – Psalm 35:13
Psalm 69:10
“When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn.” – Psalm 69:10
Isaiah 57:15
“For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’” – Isaiah 57:15
Ezra 8:21
“There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.” – Ezra 8:21
Zechariah 7:5
“Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted?’” – Zechariah 7:5
Corporate Fasting
In many instances found in the Old Testament, fasting was not only an individual act but also a communal one. It often served as a powerful expression of unity among the people. When the nation faced challenges or sought God’s help, they would come together to fast and pray. This illustrates how fasting can strengthen our bonds and encourage a collective spirit of humility and dependence on God. It is during these times of togetherness that we can uplift each other in pursuit of God’s guidance.
Judges 20:26
“Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord.” – Judges 20:26
2 Chronicles 20:3
“Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” – 2 Chronicles 20:3
Ezra 8:23
“So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.” – Ezra 8:23
Nehemiah 9:1
“On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads.” – Nehemiah 9:1
Joel 1:14
“Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God and cry out to the Lord.” – Joel 1:14
Fasting for Guidance
Fasting serves as an avenue for us to seek God’s direction. Many characters in the Old Testament exemplified this, seeking clarity during significant moments in their lives. By prioritizing fasting, they positioned themselves to hear from God. As we explore these examples, we see how fasting opens our hearts to receive divine insight, reminding us that our decisions should be made with God’s wisdom. It encourages us to lay aside personal desires in order to truly seek what God wants for our lives.
Acts 13:3
“So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” – Acts 13:3
Exodus 24:18
“Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” – Exodus 24:18
Luke 2:37
“And then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” – Luke 2:37
Daniel 10:3
“At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.” – Daniel 10:3
Matthew 17:21
“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” – Matthew 17:21
The Spirit of Fasting
As we reflect on fasting in the Old Testament, let’s remember the heart behind this practice. It’s not just about the absence of food but rather the presence of a sincere heart seeking God. The spirit of fasting should always be one that prioritizes knowing God more deeply. As we fast, we should aim to cultivate a genuine desire for His will, commit our hearts to truly listen, and seek a deeper communion with Him. This becomes a road to spiritual insight, helping us grow as individuals and as a community in faith.
Isaiah 58:5
“Is it too much for a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?” – Isaiah 58:5
Matthew 6:16
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” – Matthew 6:16
Micah 6:6
“With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?” – Micah 6:6
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
Psalm 146:3
“Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” – Psalm 146:3
Final Thoughts
As we discover the significance of fasting in the Old Testament, we recognize that it holds a special place in our spiritual lives. It’s a beautiful way to humble ourselves, seek God’s guidance, and draw closer to Him. Through examples found in scripture, we understand that fasting was not merely about food but a heartfelt pursuit of communion with the Lord. Each act of fasting reminds us of our dependence on God and our desire for His clarity in our lives.
We can incorporate fasting into our lives as a practice that enriches our faith. By embracing humility and the spirit of prayer, we can grow as individuals and as a community in faith. Let’s remember that whether we are fasting alone or with others, our goal is to cultivate a deeper relationship with our Creator and feel His presence in our lives.
If fasting interests you, I encourage you to explore more by diving into Bible verses about fast or even look at Bible verses about Jesus in the Old Testament for further insight.