BIBLICAL FASTING IS SPIRITUAL, NOT POLITICAL, MEDICAL OR SOCIAL
Fasting, as described in the Bible, is not to be confused with the Peaceful Political Protests of Gandhi or others.
No, fasting was rather a spiritual exercise or discipline. Note with me what the Bible records
1. Biblical fasting was part of Seeking God’s Direction And Protection By Prayer as noted in:
Ezra 8:21-23 Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.”23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.
2. Biblical fasting was part of Acknowledging Sin Before God in:
Ezra 10:6 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib; and when he came there, he ate no bread and drank no water, for he mourned because of the guilt of those from the captivity.
3. Biblical fasting was part of Intense Prayer in:
Nehemiah 1:4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
4. Biblical fasting was part of David’s Humbling Himself Before The Lord in:
Psalm 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; my prayer would return to my own heart.
5. Biblical fasting was part Of Turning To God With All The Heart in:
Joel 2:12-13a “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God".
So, Biblical Fasting has many purposes. Is it commanded?
Yes to those under the Old Testament, once a year at the Day of Atonement.
But, to us this side of the Cross, it is not commanded, but it was expected as we saw by Jesus. And it was practiced as we see, by those of the New Testament Church era.
BIBLICAL FASTING REFLECTS SURRENDERED LIVES
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