Topical Encyclopedia Fasting, a spiritual discipline often associated with prayer and repentance, is frequently accompanied by mourning in the biblical narrative. This practice is deeply rooted in the Old Testament and carries significant theological and spiritual implications.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, fasting accompanied by mourning is often a response to sin, calamity, or impending judgment. One of the earliest examples is found in the book of 1 Samuel. When the Israelites were defeated by the Philistines and the Ark of the Covenant was captured, the people mourned and fasted. "So they gathered at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, 'We have sinned against the LORD.'" (1 Samuel 7:6). The book of Joel also provides a vivid depiction of fasting in the context of mourning. The prophet calls the people to repentance in the face of a devastating locust plague, urging them to "declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD." (Joel 1:14). Here, fasting is a communal act of contrition and a plea for divine mercy. Fasting and National Mourning Fasting as a national expression of mourning is evident in the account of Nineveh. When Jonah proclaimed impending judgment, the king of Nineveh declared a fast for all inhabitants, including animals, as a sign of repentance and mourning. "When word reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: 'By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink.'" (Jonah 3:6-7). This act of collective fasting and mourning led to God's relenting from the disaster He had planned. Individual Mourning and Fasting Individual expressions of mourning through fasting are also prevalent. King David, upon hearing of the death of Saul and Jonathan, mourned and fasted. "They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword." (2 Samuel 1:12). David's fasting was a personal expression of grief and respect for the fallen king and his son. New Testament Insights In the New Testament, fasting continues to be associated with mourning, particularly in the context of repentance. Jesus Himself speaks of fasting in relation to mourning when questioned about why His disciples did not fast. He replied, "Can the wedding guests mourn while the bridegroom is with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast." (Matthew 9:15). Here, Jesus indicates that fasting will be appropriate in times of absence and longing, reflecting a spiritual mourning for His presence. Conclusion Throughout Scripture, fasting accompanied by mourning serves as a profound expression of humility, repentance, and a deep yearning for God's intervention. It is a tangible demonstration of the heart's contrition and a plea for divine mercy and restoration. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joel 2:12Therefore also now, said the LORD, turn you even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Letter xxxix. To Paula. In the Days of Queen Esther Zechariah Acts of Paul and Thecla. 1 Timothy v. 8 The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple Knox's Book of Common Order. The Life of S. Hilarion. Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance. Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures ... 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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