Topical Bible: Fasting: National Exemplified: Israel

◄ Fasting: National Exemplified: Israel ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Fasting, a spiritual discipline involving abstention from food and sometimes drink, is a practice deeply rooted in the religious life of Israel as depicted in the Bible. It is often associated with repentance, mourning, and seeking divine intervention. The nation of Israel exemplified fasting on several significant occasions, demonstrating its role in communal and national religious expression.

1. The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur):
The most notable national fast in Israel was the Day of Atonement, a solemn day of repentance and reconciliation with God. Leviticus 16:29-31 commands the Israelites to "afflict themselves" on this day, which has traditionally been understood as a call to fasting. This day was set apart for the atonement of sins, and the entire nation participated in this sacred observance, seeking forgiveness and purification.

2. The Fast of the Ninth of Av (Tisha B'Av):
Though not explicitly mentioned in the Torah, the fast of the Ninth of Av commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. This day of mourning and fasting is observed to remember the calamities that befell Israel, as reflected in the lamentations and historical accounts of the Bible. It serves as a time for national reflection and repentance.

3. The Fast Proclaimed by Jehoshaphat:
In 2 Chronicles 20:3 , King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah when faced with a formidable enemy alliance. "Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah." This national fast was a collective act of seeking divine guidance and deliverance, demonstrating the power of communal supplication.

4. The Fast of Ezra:
Ezra 8:21-23 records a fast proclaimed by Ezra as he led the exiles back to Jerusalem. "Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our children, and all our possessions." This fast was a demonstration of dependence on God for protection and provision during a perilous journey.

5. The Fast of Nehemiah:
Nehemiah 9:1-3 describes a national fast during the time of Nehemiah, as the Israelites gathered to confess their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. "On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads." This act of national repentance was accompanied by the reading of the Law and a renewed commitment to the covenant.

6. The Fast of Esther:
Though not a national fast in the traditional sense, the fast called by Queen Esther in Esther 4:16 had national implications. "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day." This fast was a desperate plea for divine intervention to save the Jewish people from annihilation, highlighting the communal aspect of fasting in times of crisis.

Throughout the history of Israel, fasting served as a powerful expression of humility, repentance, and reliance on God. It was a means by which the nation collectively sought divine favor, guidance, and deliverance in times of need. The practice of national fasting underscores the communal nature of Israel's covenant relationship with God and their shared spiritual journey.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 20:26
Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came to the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 8:21
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Esther 4:3,16
And in every province, wherever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 36:9
And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah to Jerusalem.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Homilies on the Gospel of John.
... Dedication, great national Feast of the, [740]222. ... 892]104; need of, [893]115; without
a sign, exemplified in the ... Fasting, a way to pardon, [919]29, [920]142. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the gospel of.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1800, to the End of ...
... "Monday, 5. We had a day of fasting and humiliation ... happy and conservative influence
upon our national character ... of Mr. Jarratt, as they were exemplified in his ...
/.../chapter 5 from the close.htm

Footnotes
... See likewise Faithful Witness-bearing Exemplified, preface, p. iv."Ed.]. ... as subversive
of all morality."Gataker's "God's Eye on his Israel","preface, Lond ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... reader's recollection when he peruses Israel's Hope Encouraged ... He pointedly exemplified
the character set forth by ... are mine enemies.' A national collection was ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... Should peace be preserved, domestic, social, and national purity and happiness
must increase with still greater and more delightful rapidity. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm