Should Christians Fast

Fasting in the Old Testament

• In the Old Testament, fasting is sometimes done, but never commanded.

  • The only command to fast comes from Esther the queen, who asks her people to fast for three days and night -- Esther 4:16.

    
    

• Examples of Old Testament Fasting:

  • Judges 20:26 gives the first example of fasting in the Bible. It took place in the midst of“civil war" among the tribes, who were seeking wisdom from God.

  • 1 Samuel 7:6 -- the people of Israel repent and fast before the Lord for their disobedience, begging the Lord for the return of the ark of the covenant.

  • 1 Samuel 31:13, 2 Samuel 1:12 -- Israel fasts at the death of King Saul.

  • 2 Samuel 12:16-23 -- David fasts for the life of his son by Bathsheba.

  • 1 Kings 21:27 -- Wicked King Ahab fasts when judgment is pronounced.

  • Ezra 8:21-23 -- Ezra proclaims a fast for the rebuilding of the Temple.

  • Nehemiah 1:4 -- Nehemiah fasts over the fallen state of Jerusalem.

  • Isaiah 58:1-8 -- The fasting of Israel is condemned by the Lord for a different kind of fasting.

  • Jeremiah 14:12 -- The Lord refuses to respond to sinful Israel's fasting.

    
    

• One particularly insightful example:

  • Zechariah 7:5 --

    • The people were fasting in the fifth and seventh months.

    • The fifth month was likely the fasting in the month of Ab to remember the destruction of the Temple.

    • The seventh month was likely the Day of Atonement.

    • The Lord condemned their selfish fasting. Note the words when ye fasted for a New Testament connection.

      
      

• Does the Torah prescribe any fasts?

  • Leviticus 16:29 interpreted by Ezra 8:21 and Isaiah 58:5 is the closest there is to a prescribed fast, on the Day of Atonement.

    Fasting in the Gospels

    
    

• Matthew 4:3 -- Jesus fasted 40 days and night at the beginning of His ministry.

• Matthew 6:16-18 -- Jesus taught that the Israelites should fast secretly.

  • The words when ye fast (v. 16) are likely the beginning of an allusion to Zechariah 7:5, and thus the traditional fasting of the fifth and seventh months.

    
    

• Matthew 9:14-15 -- the disciples of Jesus were accused of not fasting. Jesus confirmed the accusation but said there would come a day when they would.

• Matthew 17:21 -- The disciples were told that a particular kind of demon does not leave but by prayer and fasting.

• Luke 2:37 -- Anna, the widow in the Temple, served God with fastings.

• Luke 18:12 -- Jesus told a parable of a self-righteous Pharisee who fasted twice a week. It is difficult to know if there was intentional exaggeration or if the Pharisees had literally exaggerated fasting to twice weekly.

Fasting in the Book of Acts

• Acts 10:30 -- Cornelius was fasting when he received his vision concerning Peter.

• Acts 13:2 -- The church at Antioch was fasting when the Lord separated Paul and Barnabas for ministry. See also Acts 14:23 for a similar event.

• Acts 27:9 -- The fast is used as a term for the Day of Atonement.

Fasting In the Epistles

• 1 Corinthians 7:5 -- The only time Paul mentions fasting (save 2 Cor. 11:27, out of our context). In this singular mention it is not prohibited, not promoted, and not described in detail.

Fasting In Contemporary Christian Discussion

• Fasting is seen as a normative Christian discipline for many Christians today. It is presented as something that brings spiritual power, insight, and growth.

• Fasting is often worked into a formula that is artificial.

  • Sometimes event based -- days of fasting before an event.

  • Sometimes calendar based -- days of fasting during lent.

  • Sometimes behaviorally based -- fasting for repentance over certain sins.

  Should christians Fast?