Rev. David Holwick
First Baptist Church Bible study
Ledgewood, New Jersey
April 13, 1997
Matthew 6:16-18
|
I. Rationale of fasting.
A. Non-religious fasting can take place in time of deep emotions.
B. Religious fasting conveys humility and need for compassion.
1) Often associated with sackcloth and ashes.
2) Even animals might be included. Jonah 3:7
C. Normally it was for one day, but could be for 40 (Moses, Elijah & Jesus).
II. Occasions of fasting.
A. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Lev 16:29ff; 23:27-32
B. Times of distress.
1) Threat or reality of war.
a) War against Benjamites. Judg 20:26
b) War against Philistines 1 Sam 7:6; 14:24ff
2) Sickness and mourning.
a) David for sick son. 2 Sam 12:16
b) For sickness of friends. Ps 35:13
c) For death of King Saul. 1 Sam 31:13; 2 Sam 1:12
d) Normal for funerals. 2 Sam 12:21
3) Penitence.
a) Wicked Ahab fasted at rebuke of Elijah. 1 Kg 21:9,27
b) Communal reading of Law by Ezra. Neh 9:1
4) Impending danger.
a) At news of Haman's decree. Esther 4:3
b) Onset of locust plague. Joel 1:14; 2:15
5) Commemoration of calamities.
a) Burning of Jerusalem temple. Jer 52:12
b) Siege of Jerusalem. 2 Kg 25:1
c) Fall of Jerusalem. 2 Kg 25:3-4
d) The murder of Gedaliah. 2 Kg 25:23-25; Jer 41:1
C. Receiving revelation.
1) Moses before he received Ten Commandments. Exod 34:28
2) Daniel before a vision. (more ex. of penitence) Dan 9:3
3) Jesus before beginning of ministry. Matt 4:2
III. New Testament associates prayer and fasting.
A. Devout Anna served God in temple by fasting. Luke 2:37
B. Certain exorcisms require prayer and fasting. Matt 17:21 (TR)
C. Godly Cornelius was fasting before his vision. Acts 10:30
D. Couples may fast from sex to be devoted to prayer. 1 Cor 7:5 (TR)
E. Paul and Barnabas commissioned after prayer and fasting. Acts 13:2-3
F. (Early Christians fasted every Wednesday and Friday.)
IV. Genuine and phony fasting.
A. Fasting could be done for show. Isaiah 58:3-14*
1) It must come from heart, not outward actions. Joel 2:12-13
2) Genuine humility is better than disciplined but insincere
fasting. Parable of Pharisee & Tax Collector" Lk 18:12
B. Fasting cannot manipulate God. Jer 14:12
1) Obedience, justice and kindness are more important to God. Zech 7:1-14
2) It is done for God, not people. Matt 6:16-18*
C. Fasting should be occasion of joy. Zech 8:19
1) It is not compatible with presence of Jesus. Matt 9:14-15
a) (Compare attitude of John the Baptist's disciples.)
2) It is, however, appropriate when he is gone.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
Created with the Freeware Edition of HelpNDoc: Easy CHM and documentation editor