Topical Encyclopedia Fasting, as a spiritual discipline, is often associated with the act of humiliation before God. In the biblical context, fasting is not merely abstaining from food but is deeply connected to humbling oneself, seeking repentance, and drawing closer to God. This practice is evident throughout the Scriptures, where individuals and communities engage in fasting as a means of expressing sorrow for sin, seeking divine intervention, or preparing for spiritual endeavors.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, fasting is frequently linked with acts of humility and repentance. One of the most notable examples is found in the book of Jonah, where the people of Nineveh, upon hearing Jonah's message of impending judgment, proclaimed a fast and donned sackcloth as a sign of their repentance and humility before God. Jonah 3:5 states, "And the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least." Similarly, in the book of Joel, the prophet calls for a sacred assembly and a fast as a response to a devastating locust plague, urging the people to return to God with all their hearts. Joel 2:12-13 reads, "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion." New Testament Context In the New Testament, fasting continues to be associated with humility and spiritual preparation. Jesus Himself fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry, demonstrating His dependence on the Father and His commitment to His mission (Matthew 4:1-2). Jesus also taught about fasting in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the importance of sincerity and humility in the practice. Matthew 6:16-18 instructs, "When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. 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. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." The early church also practiced fasting as a means of seeking God's guidance and favor. In Acts 13:2-3 , the church at Antioch fasted and prayed before sending out Barnabas and Saul (Paul) 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." Theological Significance Fasting as an act of humiliation is deeply rooted in the acknowledgment of human frailty and the need for divine grace. It is a physical expression of an inward posture of humility, recognizing one's dependence on God for sustenance, forgiveness, and guidance. The practice of fasting serves as a reminder of the believer's need to prioritize spiritual nourishment over physical needs, aligning one's heart with God's will and purposes. Throughout Scripture, fasting is portrayed as a powerful tool for spiritual renewal and transformation. It is a means by which believers humble themselves before God, seeking His presence and intervention in their lives. As such, fasting remains a vital practice for those who desire to deepen their relationship with God and live in accordance with His will. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 9:18And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which you sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. Nave's Topical Index Nehemiah 9:1 Strong's Hebrew 8589. taanith -- humiliation... Word Origin from anah Definition humiliation NASB Word Usage humiliation (1). heaviness. From anah; affliction (of self), ie Fasting -- heaviness. ... /hebrew/8589.htm - 6k Library Letter v. Prayer and Fasting. Reformation Christ Tells the Disciples the Cause of their Failure. --The Power ... Further Examples from the Old Testament in Favour of Fasting. Ministry The Former Subject of the Sedition Continued; Also of Fasting... The Duty of Self-Denial. From Fasts Absolute Tertullian Comes to Partial Ones and ... The Life of Mr. Robert Blair. From the Close of the General Conference of 1792 to the Close of ... Resources What is the meaning of the parables of fasting at the wedding feast, the old cloth, and the wineskins? | GotQuestions.orgWhy don't Christians fast the same as Muslims? | GotQuestions.org How to fast'what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.org Fasting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Fasting by Paul, at the Time of his Conversion Fasting for the Chastening of the Soul Fasting for the Humbling of the Soul Fasting in Babylon, With Prayer for Divine Deliverance and Guidance Fasting in Prayer for Himself and his Adversaries Fasting in Times of Bereavement of Abner's Death Fasting in Times of Bereavement of David, at the Time of Saul's Death Fasting in Times of Bereavement of the People of Jabesh-Gilead, for Saul and his Sons Fasting of Ahab, when Elijah Prophesied the Destruction of Himself and his House Fasting of Darius, when he Put Daniel in the Lions' Den Fasting of Ezra, on Account of the Idolatrous Marriages of the Jews Fasting of Hypocrites: Boasted of, Before God Fasting of Hypocrites: Described Fasting of Hypocrites: Ostentatious Fasting of Hypocrites: Rejected Fasting of Nehemiah, on Account of the Desolation of Jerusalem and the Temple Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Anna Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Apostles Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Christians Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Cornelius Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Daniel Fasting of Saints Exemplified: David Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Disciples of John Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Esther Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Nehemiah Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Paul Fasting of the Consecration of the Elders Fasting of the Disciples, at the Time of the Consecration of Barnabas and Saul Fasting of the Jews, when Jeremiah Prophesied Against Judea and Jerusalem Fasting of the Wicked: Elders of Jezreel Fasting of the Wicked: Pharisees Fasting: Accompanied by Confession of Sin Fasting: Accompanied by Humiliation Fasting: Accompanied by Mourning Fasting: Accompanied by Prayer Fasting: At the Time of his Vision Fasting: During Forty Days: Jesus Fasting: During Forty Days: Moses Fasting: During the Sickness of the Child Born to Him by Bath-Sheba Fasting: Extraordinary Exemplified: Elijah Fasting: Extraordinary Exemplified: Moses Fasting: Extraordinary Exemplified: Our Lord Fasting: Fasting in the Conflict Between the Other Tribes With the Tribe of Benjamin Fasting: Habitual by Cornelius Fasting: Habitual by John's Disciples Fasting: Habitual by Pharisees Fasting: National Exemplified: Israel Fasting: National Exemplified: Men of Jabesh-Gilead Fasting: National Exemplified: Ninevites Fasting: Ninevites, when Jonah Preached to Them Fasting: Not to be Made a Subject of Display Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Afflictions of Others Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Afflictions of the Church Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Approaching Danger Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Judgments of God Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Ordination of Ministers Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Private Afflictions Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Public Calamities Fasting: On Account of the Captivity of the People, With Prayer for Their Deliverance Fasting: Ordination of Ministers Fasting: Prolonged for Forty Days, by Moses Fasting: Prolonged for Three Weeks, by Daniel Fasting: Promises Connected With Fasting: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Fasting: Upon the Death of Saul Fasting: when They Went to Mizpeh for the Ark of the Covenant Fasting: While Interceding in Prayer for his Friends Related Terms |
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