Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 5:33-39 , Leviticus 16; 23:26-32; Numbers 29:7-11; Isaiah 58; Zechariah 7; 8:18-23 "THE PLACE OF "FASTING" AS A SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE"
Day 64 – Luke 5
Text: Luke 5:33-39 , Leviticus 16; 23:26-32; Numbers 29:7-11;
Isaiah 58; Zechariah 7; 8:18-23
THE PLACE OF “FASTING” AS A SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
Many are troubled as to whether they should practise fasting. What does the Bible teach concerning this subject of fasting? It would be helpful to have a Biblical overview of the teaching of fasting.
1. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16; 23:26-32).
Officially, the Mosaic Law proposed only one day to be set aside for “a holy convocation… you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord” (Leviticus 23:27; Cf. Leviticus 16; Numbers 29). Out of 7 major Feasts of Israel, only ONE day was associated with the practice of fasting.
2. The problem of “hypocritical fasting” in the days of Isaiah the prophet.
Over the years, Israel had fallen from grace, and in the period of the Kings, Israel had apostatized! They had departed from their faith in God. They had become wicked. Nevertheless, they kept up the practice of fasting. They even expected that God should recognize and honour their religious efforts! The people could be steeped in sinful living, and yet practise “fasting”. God rejected this kind of fasting outright. We read God’s solemn words in Isaiah 58:3-5
“Why have we fasted,” they say, “and You have not seen?
Why have we afflicted our souls and You take no notice?”
“In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,
And exploit all your labourers.
Indeed you fast for strife and debate,
And to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You will not fast as you do this day.
To make your voice heard on high.” Isaiah 58:3-5
God rejected fasting for fasting’s sake. The mere act of fasting does not impress God. If fasting is not accompanied by a life that is righteous and pleasing to God, then God reserves the right to reject the fasting effort.
3. True fasting spelt out.
God sent Isaiah to deal with “fasting as a religious exercise.” In Isaiah 58, God spelt out what “true fasting” really was. He said,
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ ” Isaiah 58:6-7, 9
4. Other Fasts added to the Fast associated with the Day of Atonement
Zechariah, was one of last few prophets sent by God, after Israel returned from their Babylonian captivity. Israel added a few more “fast days” to their religious calendar. We read about,
“The fast of the fourth month” (Commemorating the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem; 2 Kings 25:3-4; Zechariah 8:18)
The fast of the fifth month (Commemorating the burning of the temple; 2 Kings 25:9; Zechariah 7:5)
The fast of the seventh month (Commemorating the death of Gedaliah ; 2 Kings 25:25 , Zechariah 8:18)
The fast of the tenth month” (Commemorating the beginning the siege of Jerusalem; 2 Kings 25:1; Zechariah 8:18)
Through the prophet Zechariah, God also asked this solemn question,
“Did you really fast for Me — for Me?” Zechariah 7:5
The Lord’s desire was NOT fasting, but obedience to His Word,
“Should you not have obeyed the words which the Lord proclaimed
through the former prophets (pre-exilic prophets) when Jerusalem
and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous,
and the South and the Lowland were inhabited?” Zechariah 7:7
God was not interested in the mere physical, outward practice of fasting in itself. If fasting is not accompanied by a life of righteousness, it counted for nothing with God (Cf. Isaiah 1:11-15 where God rejected all the planned feasts days of sinful Israel).
THE FASTING QUESTION OF THE PHARISEES
“History repeats itself” – we are told. It certainly seemed to have repeated itself when the Pharisees sought to boast about their fasting to Jesus, and in contrast condemn Jesus for not teaching His disciples to fast!
Who was right? Does fasting have any merit in itself? What is God really looking for from us? Let us be challenged by the words found in Zechariah 7:7. Let us train our ears to listen to God’s Word, and our hearts to obey His revealed Word.