A fast-day in biblical terms refers to a specific day set aside for fasting, a spiritual discipline involving abstaining from food and sometimes drink, to seek God's face, express repentance, or petition for divine intervention. Fasting is a practice deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition and is observed both individually and corporately.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, fast-days were often proclaimed during times of national crisis, repentance, or mourning. One of the most notable fast-days is the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, which is the only fast explicitly commanded in the Mosaic Law. Leviticus 16:29-31 states, "This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you must humble yourselves and not do any work... It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute."

Other instances of fasting include the fast proclaimed by King Jehoshaphat when Judah was threatened by invading armies (2 Chronicles 20:3), and the fast called by the prophet Joel in response to a locust plague (Joel 1:14). The book of Esther also records a three-day fast undertaken by the Jewish people in Susa before Queen Esther approached King Xerxes (Esther 4:16).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, fasting continues to be an important spiritual practice. Jesus Himself fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry (Matthew 4:2). He taught about fasting in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the importance of sincerity and humility: "When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites... But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen" (Matthew 6:16-18).

The early church also practiced fasting. In Acts 13:2-3 , the church in Antioch fasted and prayed before sending out Barnabas and Saul on their missionary journey: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off."

Purpose and Significance

Fast-days serve multiple purposes in the biblical narrative. They are a means of humbling oneself before God, seeking His guidance, and expressing repentance. Fasting is often accompanied by prayer, as seen in the examples of Ezra (Ezra 8:23) and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4). It is a way to demonstrate earnestness in seeking God's will and intervention.

Fasting is also a form of spiritual discipline that helps believers focus on their relationship with God, setting aside physical needs to prioritize spiritual growth. It is a reminder of human dependence on God and an opportunity to draw closer to Him.

Contemporary Observance

In contemporary Christian practice, fast-days may be observed during specific liturgical seasons, such as Lent, or in response to personal or communal needs. While the form and duration of fasting can vary, the underlying principle remains the same: to seek a deeper connection with God through self-denial and prayer.

Fast-Day Service
... Fast-Day Service. (No.154-55) Held at the. CRYSTAL PALACE, SYDENHAM,. On Wednesday,
October 7th, 1857, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON,. Being ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/fast-day service.htm

Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857
... The Condescension of Christ. Things That Accompany Salvation. The Mysteries of the
Brazen Serpent. Fast-Day Service. Fear Not. Thy Redeemer. Instability. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/

The Yoke of Christ.
... the law, and from the extreme malediction which shall light upon them that shall
be set on the left hand." A few days since we were upon a Fast-day called to ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon viii the yoke of.htm

The Life of Mr. Andrew Melvil.
... he was summoned to appear before the secret council on the 11th of that month, to
answer for some things said by him in a sermon on a fast day from Daniel 4.At ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr andrew.htm

The Writing of an Ancient Book
... Therefore you go and read in the temple on the fast day the words of Jehovah
from the roll which you have written at my command. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the writing of an ancient.htm

Maximus
... A general treatise On fasting by the servants of God, On the quadragesimal fast
in particular, and That there should be no jesting on fast day, On Judas, the ...
/.../various/jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter xli maximus.htm

Ordinances.
... Light and glory of the word 62 Word more precious than gold 63. III.
PROVIDENCES. On commencement of hostilities 64 FAST-DAY HYMNS. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/ii ordinances.htm

A Welcome to Christian Friends.
... FAST-DAY HYMNS. Hymn 70 A welcome to christian friends. John Newton 8,8,8,8. A welcome
to christian friends. Kindred in CHRIST, for his dear sake,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 70 a welcome to.htm

On the Fire at Olney. September 22, 1777
... FAST-DAY HYMNS. Hymn 69 On the fire at Olney. September 22, 1777. John
Newton 8,8,8,8. On the fire at Olney. September 22, 1777. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 69 on the fire.htm

Confession and Prayer. December 13, 1776
... FAST-DAY HYMNS. Hymn 65 Confession and Prayer. December 13, 1776. John
Newton 8,8,8,8. Confession and Prayer. December 13, 1776. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 65 confession and prayer.htm

Fast-day (1 Occurrence)
Fast-day. Fast, Fast-day. Fasted . Multi-Version Concordance
Fast-day (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 36:6 therefore go thou ...
/f/fast-day.htm - 6k

Fasted (20 Occurrences)

/f/fasted.htm - 12k

Jeremiah (141 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 36:5). In the fourth year of Jehoiakim he was commanded to write the
predictions given to him, and to read them to the people on the fast-day. ...
/j/jeremiah.htm - 75k

Dictated (4 Occurrences)
... you go, and read in the scroll, which you have written from my mouth, the words
of Yahweh in the ears of the people in Yahweh's house on the fastday; and also ...
/d/dictated.htm - 7k

Dictation (5 Occurrences)
... you go, and read in the scroll, which you have written from my mouth, the words
of Yahweh in the ears of the people in Yahweh's house on the fastday; and also ...
/d/dictation.htm - 8k

Fasts (3 Occurrences)
... 18:12 Matthew 9:14; Matthew 6:16 Mark 2:18 Luke 5:33 Acts 10:30; Meghillah 31a;
Ta`anith 12a; Bdbha' Qama' 8 2). The day before Passover was a fastday for the ...
/f/fasts.htm - 21k

Feasts (45 Occurrences)
... 18:12 Matthew 9:14; Matthew 6:16 Mark 2:18 Luke 5:33 Acts 10:30; Meghillah 31a;
Ta`anith 12a; Bdbha' Qama' 8 2). The day before Passover was a fastday for the ...
/f/feasts.htm - 36k

Scroll (70 Occurrences)
... you go, and read in the scroll, which you have written from my mouth, the words
of Yahweh in the ears of the people in Yahweh's house on the fastday; and also ...
/s/scroll.htm - 32k

Wrote (74 Occurrences)
... you go, and read in the scroll, which you have written from my mouth, the words
of Yahweh in the ears of the people in Yahweh's house on the fastday; and also ...
/w/wrote.htm - 30k

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