Topical Encyclopedia Fasting, as a spiritual discipline, is deeply rooted in the biblical tradition and serves various purposes, including the chastening of the soul. This practice involves abstaining from food, and sometimes drink, to humble oneself before God, seek His guidance, and express repentance and contrition.Biblical Foundation The concept of fasting for the chastening of the soul is prominently featured in the Old Testament. In Leviticus 16:29-31, the Israelites are commanded to "afflict their souls" on the Day of Atonement, a phrase understood to mean fasting: "This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you must humble yourselves and not do any work... It is a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, that you may humble your souls; it is a permanent statute." In Psalm 35:13, David speaks of fasting as a means of humbling his soul: "Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered." Here, fasting is associated with mourning and intercession, reflecting a deep sense of personal humility and dependence on God. Purpose and Practice Fasting for the chastening of the soul is primarily an act of humility and repentance. It is a voluntary act of self-denial that acknowledges human frailty and the need for divine intervention. In Joel 2:12-13, the prophet calls the people to return to God with fasting: "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." This type of fasting is not merely an external ritual but an inward transformation. Isaiah 58:5-7 criticizes superficial fasting and emphasizes the importance of genuine repentance and social justice: "Is this the fast I have chosen, a day for a man to deny himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is this what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, fasting continues to be a significant spiritual practice. Jesus Himself fasted for forty days and nights in the wilderness as a preparation for His public ministry (Matthew 4:1-2). He taught about fasting in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing sincerity and discretion: "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" (Matthew 6:16-18). The early church also practiced fasting as a means of seeking God's will and preparing for ministry. In Acts 13:2-3, the church at Antioch fasted and prayed before sending out Barnabas and Saul for missionary work: "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." Spiritual Significance Fasting for the chastening of the soul is a profound expression of humility and dependence on God. It is a means of drawing closer to Him, seeking His guidance, and aligning one's will with His. Through fasting, believers acknowledge their need for God's grace and mercy, and it serves as a reminder of the spiritual nourishment that comes from a relationship with Him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 69:10When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Declaring when Spiritual and Corporal Penances Ought to be Used ... Of a Private Fast. The Master's Friends Letter Xlviii. (AD 398. ) Second Part of the Book. The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic ... The Loved Ones Chastened The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly Rom. vii. 14 Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ... Resources Why did Jesus fast? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Ramadan? | GotQuestions.org What is the meaning of Lent? | 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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