Topical Encyclopedia Fasting, a spiritual discipline involving abstention from food and sometimes drink, is a practice deeply rooted in biblical tradition. It is often observed during times of divine judgment, serving as a means of expressing repentance, humility, and a plea for mercy. Throughout Scripture, fasting is depicted as a response to God's judgments, both as a communal and individual act.Old Testament Instances 1. Nineveh's Repentance (Jonah 3:4-10): One of the most notable instances of fasting in response to divine judgment is found in the book of Jonah. When Jonah proclaimed God's impending judgment on Nineveh, the people, from the greatest to the least, believed God and declared a fast. The king of Nineveh himself arose from his throne, removed his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. He issued a decree for a city-wide fast, urging everyone to call urgently on God and turn from their evil ways. "When God saw their deeds—that they turned from their evil ways—He relented of the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them" (Jonah 3:10). 2. Israel's National Repentance (Joel 1:14; 2:12-17): The prophet Joel called for a sacred assembly and a fast in response to a devastating locust plague, which was seen as a judgment from God. Joel urged the people to "declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly" (Joel 1:14) and to "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning" (Joel 2:12). The call to fasting was a call to repentance, seeking God's mercy and restoration. 3. Ahab's Humility (1 Kings 21:27-29): King Ahab, upon hearing the judgment pronounced by Elijah for his sins, tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, fasted, and lay in sackcloth, going about meekly. God acknowledged Ahab's humility and delayed the disaster, saying, "Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the disaster in his days" (1 Kings 21:29). New Testament Context While the New Testament does not provide as many explicit examples of fasting in response to divine judgment, the practice remains significant in the early Christian community as a means of seeking God's guidance and favor. The emphasis shifts more towards personal and communal spiritual discipline, yet the underlying principle of fasting as a response to God's dealings with humanity persists. Theological Significance Fasting in the context of divine judgment is a profound expression of human acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and righteousness. It is an act of contrition, demonstrating a sincere desire to align with God's will and avert His wrath. The biblical narrative consistently portrays fasting as a powerful tool for spiritual renewal and transformation, emphasizing the importance of a contrite heart over mere ritualistic observance. Practical Application For contemporary believers, fasting during times perceived as divine judgment can serve as a reminder of the need for repentance and spiritual introspection. It is an opportunity to seek God's face earnestly, to humble oneself before Him, and to intercede for mercy and grace. The practice encourages believers to turn away from sin and to seek a deeper relationship with God, trusting in His compassion and readiness to forgive. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joel 1:14Sanctify you a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry to the LORD, Torrey's Topical Textbook Joel 2:12 Library Of a Private Fast. The Law Established through Faith The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be ... Book 5 Footnotes General Index to Socrates' Ecclesiastical History. The Life of Mr. William Guthrie. The Nuns of the Primitive Church The Savoy Declaration of the Congregational Churches. AD 1658. 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 |
    |