Topical Encyclopedia Fasting, in the biblical context, is often associated with acts of humility and repentance before God. It is a spiritual discipline that involves abstaining from food, and sometimes drink, to seek God's face, express sorrow for sin, or petition for divine intervention. The practice of fasting is deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition and is frequently accompanied by acts of humiliation, which involve humbling oneself before the Lord.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, fasting is frequently linked with mourning, repentance, and seeking God's mercy. One of the most notable examples is found in the Book of Jonah, where the people of Nineveh proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth as a sign of their repentance. 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 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. So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God." Fasting in the Old Testament is often accompanied by wearing sackcloth and ashes, symbols of humility and penitence. In Esther 4:3 , when the Jews learn of Haman's plot to destroy them, "there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes." New Testament Context In the New Testament, fasting continues to be a significant spiritual practice, often associated with prayer and seeking God's guidance. Jesus Himself fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry, as recorded in Matthew 4:2 : "After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry." Jesus also taught about the proper attitude towards fasting, emphasizing sincerity and humility over outward appearances. In Matthew 6:16-18 , He 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, often in conjunction with prayer, as a means of seeking God's will and empowerment. In Acts 13:2-3 , the church at 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." Theological Significance Fasting, accompanied by humiliation, is a profound expression of dependence on God and acknowledgment of human frailty. It is a voluntary act of self-denial that reflects a heart posture of humility and submission to God's will. Through fasting, believers seek to draw closer to God, align their desires with His, and demonstrate genuine repentance and contrition. The practice of fasting, when done with the right heart attitude, serves as a powerful reminder of the believer's need for God's grace and mercy. It is an opportunity to humble oneself before the Almighty, recognizing that true strength and sustenance come from Him alone. Torrey's Topical Textbook 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. Torrey's Topical Textbook Nehemiah 9:1 Library In the Days of Queen Esther Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures ... The Marriage Feast in Cana of Galilee - the Miracle that is a Sign ... The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple The Manich??an System. Babylonia and Assyria The Life of Mr. Hugh Binning. Ancestors of the Blessed virgin Luther's Separation from Rome. Luther's Separation from Rome Resources What is the connection between prayer and fasting? | GotQuestions.orgChristian fasting - what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.org What are the different types of fasting? | 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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