Scripture quotations marked (NAS) are from the New American

Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1973, 197, 1977 !"
#he $ockman %oundation& 'sed !" permission&
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from the (o)" *i!)e, New
International Version, 1973, 1978, 198+ !" the ,nternationa)
*i!)e Societ"& 'sed !" permission&
Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the King James
Version of the *i!)e&
FASTING
Derek Prince
Derek Prince MinistriesInternational
P. O. Box 19501
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Contents
1 T!e Pri,ar. P4r-ose o+ Fastin/.....................;
# Ne6 Testa,ent <xa,-les o+ Fastin/...........1;
' 3o6 Fastin/ !an/es *s..............................#;
9 Fastin/ an !an/e 3istor..........................';
5 Prel4)e to t!e =atter >ain.............................9;
Chapter One
1 The Primary Purpose of
Fasting
lost ke. to s4ccess+4l !ristian li8in/ t!at
is +o4n) t!ro4/!o4t t!e Bi1le !as 1een set
asi)e an) ,is-lace) 1. t!e c!4rc! o+ to)a..
T!at ke. is +astin/.
A
Fastin/" as I 6o4l) )e+ine it" is ?8ol4ntaril.
a1stainin/ +ro, +oo) +or s-irit4al -4r-oses.?
So,eti,es -eo-le +ast not onl. +ro, +oo)" 14t
also +ro, 6ater@ !o6e8er" t!at is t!e exce-tion
rat!er t!an t!e r4le. Fastin/ +ro, +oo) onl. is
exe,-li+ie) in t!e +ast o+ Aes4s in t!e 6il)erness
1e+ore 3e 1e/an 3is -41lic ,inistr.. Matt!e6
9%# sa.s t!is%
2
And after He had fasted forty days and forty
nights, He then became hungry
!"atthew #$2 NAS%
learl. Aes4s )i) not a1stain +ro, 6ater +or
t!ose +ort. )a.s 1eca4se an.one 6!o !as +aste)
+ro, 6ater 6ill 1eco,e t!irst. 1e+ore t!e.
1eco,e !4n/r.. So t!e +act t!at t!e Scri-t4re
;
&asting
)oes not sa." ?3e 1eca,e t!irst."? 14t B4st
states" 'He then became hungry,' in)icates t!at
Aes4s a1staine) +ro, +oo) 14t not +ro, 6ater.
Fastin/ see,s 4n+a,iliar an) e8en
+ri/!tenin/ to ,an. -eo-le" .et t!is attit4)e is
stran/e. Fastin/ 6as re/4larl. -ractice) 1.
Go)Cs -eo-le t!ro4/!o4t t!e Bi1le. Fastin/ is
also an acce-te) -art o+ ,ost ot!er ,aBor 6orl)
reli/ions" s4c! as 3in)4is," B4))!is," an)
Isla,.
Fasting for Self-Humbling
Pri,aril." t!e -4r-ose o+ +astin/ is sel+&
!4,1lin/. It is a scri-t4ral ,eans or)aine) 1.
Go) +or 4s to !4,1le o4rsel8es 1e+ore 3i,.
T!ro4/!o4t t!e Bi1le Go) reD4ires 3is -eo-le
to !4,1le t!e,sel8es 1e+ore 3i,. Man.
)i++erent -assa/es o+ Scri-t4re e,-!asiEe t!is.
3ere are +o4r +ro, t!e Ne6 Testa,ent%
#
'(herefore, whoe)er humbles himself li*e this
child is the greatest in the *ingdom of hea)en'
!"atthew +,$# NIV%
+2
'&or whoe)er e-alts himself will be humbled,
and whoe)er humbles himself will be e-alted'
$
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
!"atthew 20$+2 NIV%
+1
Humble yoursel)es before the 2ord, and he will
lift you u/
!James #$+1 NIV)
3
Humble yoursel)es, therefore, under 4od5s
mighty hand that he may lift you u/ in due time
!+ .eter 6$3 NIV)
One i,-ortant +eat4re o+ all t!ese Scri-t4res
is t!at t!e res-onsi1ilit. to !4,1le o4rsel8es is
-lace) 4-on 4s. 2e cannot trans+er t!at
res-onsi1ilit. to Go). To -ra." ?Go)" ,ake ,e
!4,1le"? is 4nscri-t4ral" 1eca4se t!e re-l. o+
Go) in Scri-t4re is al6a.s" 'Humble yourself'
In t!e Bi1le Go) !as re8eale) to 4s a
s-eci+ic" -ractical 6a. to !4,1le o4rsel8es.
Da8i) re8eals t!at +astin/ 6as t!e 6a. t!at !e
e,-lo.e) to !4,1le !is so4l" or to !4,1le
!i,sel+%
+0
'I humbled my soul with fasting'
!.salm 06$+0 NAS)
onsi)er so,e !istorical exa,-les 6!ere
Go)Cs -eo-le !4,1le) t!e,sel8es in t!is 6a..
First" 6e rea) in t!e 1ook o+ <Era a1o4t !o6
9
&asting
<Era is -re-arin/ to lea) a 1an) o+ ret4rnin/
Ae6is! exiles +ro, Ba1.lon 1ack to Aer4sale,.
T!e. !a8e 1e+ore t!e, a lon/" ar)4o4s Bo4rne.
t!ro4/! co4ntr. in+este) 1. 1ri/an)s an)
occ4-ie) 1. t!eir ene,ies. T!e. are takin/ 6it!
t!e, t!eir 6i8es an) c!il)ren an) t!e sacre)
8essels o+ t!e te,-le. T!e. are in )es-erate
nee) o+ sa+e con)4ct. <Era !a) t6o alternati8es%
!e co4l) a--eal to t!e e,-eror o+ Persia +or a
1an) o+ sol)iers an) !orse,en" or !e co4l) tr4st
in Go). 3e c!ose to tr4st in Go) an) t!is is 6!at
!e sa.s%
2+
(here, by the Aha)a 7anal, I /roclaimed a fast,
so that we might humble oursel)es before our
4od and as* him for a safe 8ourney for us and
our children, with all our /ossessions
22
I was ashamed to as* the *ing for soldiers and
horsemen to /rotect us from enemies on the
road, because we had told the *ing, '(he good
hand of our 4od is on e)eryone who loo*s to
him, but his great anger is against all who
forsa*e him'
20
So we fasted and /etitioned our 4od about this,
and he answered our /rayer
!9:ra ,$2+;20 NIV)
10
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
<Era !a) t6o alternati8es% one carnal" t!e
ot!er s-irit4al. 3e co4l) !a8e resorte) to t!e
carnal an) aske) +or a 1an) o+ sol)iers an)
!orse,en. It 6o4l) not !a8e 1een sin+4l" 14t it
6o4l) !a8e 1een on a lo6er le8el o+ +ait!. B4t
!e c!ose t!e s-iritt4al alternati8e. 3e c!ose to
look to Go) 1. in8okin/ Go)Cs s4-ernat4ral
!el- an) -rotection. <Era an) t!e Israelites 6it!
!i, kne6 exactl. !o6 to )o t!is. It 6as
so,et!in/ t!e. alrea). 4n)erstoo). T!e. +aste)
an) !4,1le) t!eir so4ls 1e+ore Go). T!e.
-etitione) Go)" an) Go) !ear) t!e, an)
/rante) t!e, t!e sa+e Bo4rne. +or 6!ic! t!e.
aske).
In # !ronicles 6e rea) t!e recor) o+ an
inci)ent in t!e !istor. o+ A4)a! 6!en
Ae!os!a-!at 6as kin/%
2
Some men came and told Jehosha/hat, 'A )ast
army is coming against you from 9domIt is
already in Ha:a:on (amar' !that is, 9n 4edi%
0
Alarmed, Jehosha/hat resol)ed to in<uire of the
!"#$ and he /roclaimed a fast for all Judah
#
(he /eo/le of Judah came together to see* hel/
from the !"#% indeed, they came from e)ery town
in Judah to see* him
11
&asting
!2 7hronicles 21$2;# NIV)
T!en Ae!os!a-!at -ra.e) a -ra.er in8okin/
Go)Cs !el-. In t!e last 8erse o+ t!at -ra.er"
6!ic! is 8er. si/ni+icant" Ae!os!a-!at concl4)es
1. sa.in/%
+2
'= our 4od, will you not 8udge them > &or we
ha)e no /ower to face this )ast army that is
attac*ing us ?e do not *now what to do, but our
eyes are u/on you'
!2 7hronicles 21$+2 NIV)
3ere are t!e ke. -!rases% 'we ha)e no
/owerwe do not *now what to do' So t!e.
!a) to t4rn to Go) +or s4-ernat4ral !el- an)
t!e. kne6 t!e 6a. to t4rn. T!e. reno4nce) t!e
nat4ral to in8oke t!e s4-ernat4ral.
For anot!er clear exa,-le o+ t!e -ractice o+
+astin/ in t!e Ol) Testa,ent" 6e t4rn to t!e
or)inances +or t!e Da. o+ Atone,ent" 6!at t!e
Ae6is! -eo-le call Fo, 7i--4r%
2@
'And this shall be a /ermanent statute for you$
in the se)enth month, on the tenth day of the
month, you shall humble your souls, and not do
any wor*, whether the nati)e, or the alien who
so8ourns among youA
1#
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
GNo6" 6!ere t!is translation sa.s" C.o4 s!all
!4,1le .o4r so4ls"C anot!er translation sa.s" C.o4
,4st )en. .o4rsel8es"? an)" alternati8el." ?.o4
,4st +ast.? T!en t!e -assa/e contin4es%H
01
'for it is on this day that atonement shall be
made for you to cleanse youA you shall be clean
from all your sins before the 2ord
0+
It is to be a sabbath of solemn rest for you, that
you may humble your soulsA it is a /ermanent
statute'
!2e)iticus +3$2@;0+ NAS%
2e kno6" !istoricall." t!at +or '"500 .ears
t!e Ae6is! -eo-le !a8e al6a.s o1ser8e) Fo,
7i--4r" t!e Da. o+ Atone,ent" as a )a. o+
+astin/. 2e also !a8e t!e Ne6 Testa,ent
a4t!orit. +or t!is. A -assa/e in Acts t!at
)escri1es Pa4lCs Bo4rne. to >o,e 1. sea sa.s%
@
"uch time had been lost, and sailing had
already become dangerous because by now it
was after the &ast
!Acts 2B$@ NIV%
'(he &ast' ,entione) !ere is t!e Da. o+
Atone,ent" 6!ic! al6a.s +ell at t!e en) o+
Se-te,1er or t!e 1e/innin/ o+ Octo1er" B4st
6!en 6inter 6as settin/ in. 2e see +ro, t!e
1'
&asting
Ne6 Testa,ent t!at t!e Da. o+ Atone,ent 6as
al6a.s cele1rate) as ?the &ast' Go) reD4ire)
3is -eo-le to !4,1le t!eir so4ls 1e+ore 3i, 1.
collecti8e +astin/. T!at 6as t!e a--oint,ent" t!e
or)inance" +or t!e Da. o+ Atone,ent" t!e ,ost
sacre) )a. o+ t!e Ae6is! calen)ar.
Notice t6o +acts% First" in t!is case" +astin/
6as ,anCs res-onse to Go)Cs -ro8ision o+
+or/i8eness an) cleansin/. Go) -ro8i)e) t!e
cere,on. 1. 6!ic! t!e 3i/! Priest 6ent into
t!e inner,ost sanct4ar. o+ t!e te,-le an) ,a)e
atone,ent. Secon)" t!at atone,ent 6as onl.
e++ecti8e +or t!ose -eo-le 6!o acce-te) it
t!ro4/! +astin/.
In ot!er 6or)s" Go) )i) 3is -art" 14t ,an
!a) to )o !is. T!is is tr4e in ,an. transactions
6it! Go). Go) )oes 3is -art" 14t 3e ex-ects a
res-onse +ro, 4s. Man. ti,es t!e res-onse t!at
Go) ex-ects +ro, 4s is to +ast.
Go) a1sol4tel. reD4ire) +astin/ o+ all 3is
-eo-le 4n)er t!e ol) co8enant. An.one 6!o )i)
not +ast on t!e Da. o+ Atone,ent 6as to 1e c4t
o++ as to no lon/er to 1e a ,e,1er o+ Go)Cs
-eo-le. So 6e see t!at Go) attac!e) /reat
19
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
i,-ortance to +astin/ as t!e a--ointe) 6a. +or
3is -eo-le to !4,1le t!e,sel8es 1e+ore 3i,
an) so to D4ali+. +or t!e 1lessin/ t!at 3e 6ante)
to -ro8i)e.
15
Chapter Two
& Ne' Testament ()amples of
Fasting
e !a8e seen t!at +astin/ is a lost ke." one
t!at is +o4n) all t!ro4/! t!e -a/es o+ t!e
Bi1le. Fet is !as 1een set asi)e an) ,is-lace)
1. t!e !ristian c!4rc!.
2
T!e -ri,ar. -4r-ose +or +astin/" as re8eale)
in t!e Bi1le" is sel+&!4,1lin/. Fastin/ is a
scri-t4ral 6a. to !4,1le o4rsel8es. All t!ro4/!
t!e Bi1le Go) reD4ire) 3is -eo-le to !4,1le
t!e,sel8es 1e+ore 3i,. Go) !as re8eale) t!at a
si,-le" -ractical 6a. to !4,1le o4rsel8es is
t!ro4/! +astin/.
2e !a8e looke) at so,e !istorical exa,-les
+ro, t!e Ol) Testa,ent alrea).% exa,-les o+
Da8i) in Psal,s@ <Era an) t!e exiles ret4rnin/
+ro, Ba1.lon@ Ae!os!a-!at an) t!e -eo-le o+
A4)a!@ an) t!e Da. o+ Atone,ent" 6!en e8er.
1elie8in/ Ae6 6as reD4ire) to -ractice +astin/.
I 1elie8e t!e essential nat4re o+ +astin/ is
reno4ncin/ t!e nat4ral to in8oke t!e
1;
&asting
s4-ernat4ral. T!e ,ost nat4ral t!in/ +or 4s to )o
is to eat. 2!en 6e /i8e 4- eatin/" 6e are
)eli1eratel. t4rnin/ a6a. +ro, t!e nat4ral 1.
t4rnin/ to Go) an) to t!e s4-ernat4ral. T!is !as
a )ee- si/ni+icance.
Fasting in the ife of *esus
Fastin/ 6as also -art o+ t!e li+e an) ,inistr.
o+ Aes4s an) o+ t!e Ne6 Testa,ent c!4rc!. First
o+ all" t!e =or) Aes4s 3i,sel+ -ractice) +astin/"
as re-orte) in t!e Gos-els%
+
Jesus, full of the Holy S/irit, returned from the
Jordan and was led by the S/irit in the desert,
2
where for forty days he was tem/ted by the
de)il He ate nothing during those days and at
the end of them he was hungry
!2u*e #$+;2 NIV%
As I ex-laine) -re8io4sl." t!e 6or)s
in)icate t!at Aes4s a1staine) +ro, +oo)" 14t
-ro1a1l. )rank 6ater.
Be+ore Aes4s entere) 3is -41lic ,inistr."
t!ere 6ere t6o critical ex-eriences t!ro4/!
6!ic! 3e -asse). T!e +irst 6as 6!en t!e 3ol.
S-irit )escen)e) 4-on 3i," an) 3e 6as en)4e)
1$
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
6it! t!e s4-ernat4ral -o6er o+ t!e 3ol. S-irit
+or 3is ,inistr.. B4t" Aes4s still )i) not
i,,e)iatel. /o o4t an) 1e/in to ,inister.
T!e secon) ex-erience 6as +ort. )a.s o+
+astin/ in t!e )esert. 3e a1staine) +ro, +oo)
an) +oc4se) on t!e s-irit4al. A--arentl." )4rin/
in t!at ti,e" 3e !a) a )irect" -erson&to&-erson
con+lict 6it! Satan. T!ro4/! 3is +astin/" 3e
e,er/e) 8ictorio4s +ro, t!at +irst con+lict 6it!
Satan.
T!is ill4stration 6o4l) see, to in)icate t!at
+astin/ is essential in o4r li8es i+ 6e are to 1e
8ictorio4s o8er Satan. I+ Aes4s !a) to -ractice
+astin/ +or 8ictor." I )o not see !o6 an. o+ 4s
can clai, to ac!ie8e 8ictor. 6it!o4t t!e sa,e
-ractice.
Notice t!e res4lt o+ +astin/ in t!e li+e o+
Aes4s. =4ke 9%19 states%
+#
Jesus returned to 4alilee in the /ower of the
S/irit, and news about him s/read through the
whole countryside
!NIV%
T!ere is a 8er. si/ni+icant )i++erence in t!e
19
&asting
t6o -!rases 4se). 2!en Aes4s 6ent into t!e
)esert" t!e Gos-el sa.s 3e 6as 'full of the Holy
S/irit' B4t 6!en 3e ret4rne) +ro, t!e )esert
a+ter +ort. )a.s o+ +astin/ it sa.s 3e 6ent 'in
the /ower of the S/irit' In ot!er 6or)s" it is one
t!in/ to 1e +4ll o+ t!e S-irit" it is anot!er t!in/ to
1e in t!e -o6er o+ t!e S-irit. Fro, t!e ti,e o+
3is 1a-tis, on6ar)s" t!e S-irit 6as t!ere. B4t it
6as 3is +astin/ t!at release) t!e -o6er o+ t!e
3ol. S-irit to +lo6 t!ro4/! 3is li+e an) ,inistr.
6it!o4t !in)rance. A/ain" I 1elie8e t!is is a
-attern +or 4s.
Aes4s 3i,sel+ sai) later in Ao!n 19%1#%
+2
'(ruly, truly, I say to you, he who belie)es in
"e, the wor*s that I do shall he do alsoA and
greater wor*s than these shall he doA because I
go to the &ather'
!NAS%
I 6ant to -oint o4t t!at t!e 6orks Aes4s )i)
1e/an 6it! +astin/. I+ 6e 6ant to +ollo6 in t!e
ot!er 6orks 3e )i)" it see,s lo/ical to ,e t!at
6e ,4st 1e/in 6!ere Aes4s 1e/anI6it!
+astin/.
Aes4s also ta4/!t 3is )isci-les to +ast. In t!e
#0
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
Ser,on on t!e Mo4nt" 3e sai) to 3is )isci-les%
+B
'But when you fast, /ut oil on your head and
wash your face,
+,
so that it will not be ob)ious to men that you
are fasting, but only to your &ather, who is
unseenA and your &ather, who sees what is done
in secret, will reward you'
!"atthew 3$+B;+, NIV%
Aes4s -ro,ises a re6ar) to t!ose 6!o
-ractice +astin/ in t!e ri/!t 6a. an) +or t!e ri/!t
,oti8es. Notice one 8er. i,-ortant little 6or).
Aes4s sai)" 'when you fast,' He )i) not sa." ?i+
.o4 +ast.? 3a) 3e sai) ?i+"? 3e 6o4l) !a8e le+t
o-en t!e -ossi1ilit. t!at t!e. ,i/!t not -ractice
+astin/. B4t 6!en 3e sai)" 'when you fast,' 3e
o18io4sl. ass4,e) t!at t!e. 6o4l) -ractice
+astin/.
T!e t!e,e o+ t!e sixt! c!a-ter o+ Matt!e6 is
t!ree ,ain !ristian )4ties% /i8in/ to t!e -oor"
-ra.in/" an) +astin/. In connection 6it! all t!ree
o+ t!e," Aes4s 4ses t!e sa,e 6or) 'when,' 3e
ne8er sa.s ?i+.? In 8erse # 3e sa.s% 'when you
gi)e to the needy' An) in 8erse 1; 3e sa.s"
'when you fast' 3e ne8er le+t o-en t!e o-tion
#1
&asting
t!at t!e. 6o4l) not )o t!ese t!ree t!in/s. 3e -4t
/i8in/" -ra.in/" an) +astin/ on -recisel. t!e
sa,e le8el.
Most !ristians 6o4l) acce-t 6it!o4t ,4c!
D4estion t!at it is o4r o1li/ation to /i8e an) to
-ra.. B4t on t!at sa,e 1asis" it is eD4all. o4r
o1li/ation to +ast.
Fasting in the (arly Chur+h
Not onl. 6as +astin/ -ractice) 1. Aes4s" it
6as -ractice) 1. t!e Ne6 Testa,ent c!4rc!. In
Acts 1'%1&9" 6e rea) a1o4t t!e c!4rc! at
Antioc!%
+
Now there were at Antioch, in the church that
was there, /ro/hets and teachers$ Barnabas,
and Simeon who was called Niger, and 2ucius of
7yrene, and "anaen who had been brought u/
with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul GFi8e ,en are
na,e).H
2
And while they were ministering to the 2ord and
fasting, the Holy S/irit said, 'Set a/art for "e
Barnabas and Saul for the wor* to which I ha)e
called them'
0
(hen, when they had fasted and /rayed and laid
their hands on them, they sent them away
##
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
#
So, being sent out by the Holy S/irit, they went
down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to
7y/rus
!Acts +0$+;# NAS%
T!e lea)ers o+ t!e c!4rc! 6ere ,inisterin/
to t!e =or) an) +astin/ to/et!er. In t!e co4rse o+
t!eir +astin/" t!e. recei8e) a re8elation +ro, t!e
3ol. S-irit t!at t6o o+ t!eir n4,1er 6ere to 1e
sent o4t +or a s-ecial a-ostolic ,inistr..
>ecei8in/ t!is re8elation" t!e. )i) not sen)
t!e, o4t i,,e)iatel." 14t t!e. a/ain 'fasted
and /rayed and laid their hands on them'
T!en it sa.s o+ t!ose t6o ,en t!at t!e. 6ere
sent o4t 'by the Holy S/irit'
A/ain 6e see t!at +astin/ trans+er 4s +ro,
t!e nat4ral to t!e s4-ernat4ral. 2!en t!e c!4rc!
lea)ers ,o8e) o4t o+ t!e nat4ral real, t!ro4/!
+astin/" t!e. !a) a s4-ernat4ral re8elation an)
s4-ernat4ral a4t!oriEation" an) t!e 3ol. S-irit
3i,sel+ acce-te) res-onsi1ilit. +or 6!at t!e.
)i). B4t t!e 6a. to t!is 6as o-ene) 4- t!ro4/!
t!eir collecti8e +astin/.
A+ter Pa4l an) Barna1as !a) /one o4t on
t!is ,inistr." 6e rea) 6!at t!e. )i) 6!en t!e.
#'
&asting
esta1lis!e) t!eir ne6 con8erts in 8ario4s cities
into -ro-er c!4rc!es%
20
And when they had a//ointed elders for them
in e)ery church, ha)ing /rayed with fasting, they
commended them to the 2ord in whom they had
belie)ed
!Acts +#$20 NAS%
Fastin/ 6as not B4st a sin/le" 4n4s4al
occ4rrence. It 6as -ractice) re/4larl. 1. t!e
a-ostles an) ta4/!t to t!eir ne6 )isci-les.
T!e t6o ,ain e8ents in t!e s-rea) o+ t!e
Gos-el in t!e earl. c!4rc! 6ere" +irst" t!e
sen)in/ o4t o+ a-ostles an)" secon)" t!e
esta1lis!in/ o+ ne6 con8erts t!ro4/! t!e
a--oint,ent o+ el)ers. It is tre,en)o4sl.
si/ni+icant t!at t!e earl. c!4rc! )i) not )o eit!er
o+ t!ese t!in/s 6it!o4t +irst +astin/ an) seekin/
Go)Cs s4-ernat4ral )irection an) !el-. In a
certain sense" 6e can sa. t!at t!e o4t/ro6t! an)
ex-ansion o+ t!e earl. c!4rc! re8ol8e) aro4n)
collecti8e +astin/.
Finall." 6e 6ant to rea) t!e testi,on. o+
Pa4l a1o4t !is li+e an) ,inistr." re,e,1erin/
t!at Pa4l 6as one o+ t!e t6o ,en in8ol8e) in
#9
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
t!at inci)ent. In # orint!ians (%9&(" Pa4l sa.s%
#
in e)erything commending oursel)es as
ser)ants of 4od, in much endurance, in
afflictions, in hardshi/s, in distresses,
6
in beatings, in im/risonments, in tumults, in
labors, in slee/lessness G6atc!in/H, in hunger
CfastingD,
3
in /urity, in *nowledge, in /atience, in *indness,
in the Holy S/irit, in genuine lo)e
!2 7orinthians 3$#;3 NAS%
Pa4l !ere )escri1es 8ario4s as-ects o+ !is
c!aracter an) con)4ct 6!ic! ,arke) !i,sel+
an) !is +ello6&6orkers as tr4e ser8ants o+ Go).
A,on/ t!ese 6ere 6atc!in/ Jsta.in/ a6ake
6!en .o4 co4l) 1e aslee-K an) +astin/
Ja1stainin/ +ro, +oo) 6!en .o4 co4l) 1e
eatin/K. 2atc!in/ an) +astin/ are in 8er. /oo)
co,-an.. T!e. are -4t si)e 1. si)e 6it! -4rit."
kno6le)/e" -atience" kin)ness" t!e 3ol. S-irit
an) /en4ine lo8e. In ot!er 6or)s" t!e. are
-resente) as -art o+ t!e total eD4i-,ent o+ a tr4e
ser8ant o+ t!e =or) Aes4s !rist. I 1elie8e t!at
Go) still 8ie6s t!e, t!at 6a. to)a.. Go)Cs
-ro8ision an) Go)Cs stan)ar)s are still t!e sa,e
as t!e. 6ere +or Pa4l an) +or t!e earl. c!4rc!.
#5
Chapter Three
, Ho' Fasting Changes -s
!4s +ar" 6e !a8e seen t!at +astin/ is
8ol4ntaril. a1stainin/ +ro, +oo) +or
s-irit4al -4r-oses. Fastin/ is a 6a. t!at Go)
3i,sel+ !as a--ointe) +or 3is -eo-le to !4,1le
t!e,sel8es 1e+ore 3i,. Aes4s 3i,sel+ -ractice)
+astin/ an) ta4/!t 3is )isci-les to )o t!e sa,e.
T!e Ne6 Testa,ent c!4rc! +ollo6e) t!e
exa,-le o+ t!en&Master. 2!en Aes4s s-oke
a1o4t +astin/" 3e )i) not sa." ?i+ .o4 +ast"? 14t
'when you fast' 3e t!4s -4t +astin/ on
-recisel. t!e sa,e le8el as /i8in/ to t!e nee).
an) -ra.in/.
T
2e 6ant to )eal 6it! t!e ,ec!anics o+
+astin/ no6 1. seein/ !o6 +astin/ c!an/es t!e
inner -ersonalit.. T!e +irst t!in/ 6e nee) to see
6it! a1sol4te clarit. +ro, Scri-t4re is t!is% t!e
-o6er t!at ,akes t!e !ristian li+e -ossi1le is
t!e 3ol. S-irit. No ot!er -o6er can ena1le 4s to
li8e t!e kin) o+ li+e t!at Go) reD4ires o+ 4s as
!ristians. It cannot 1e )one in o4r o6n 6ill or
in o4r o6n stren/t!. It can onl. 1e )one in
)e-en)ence on t!e 3ol. S-irit. T!ere+ore" t!e
#;
&asting
ke. to s4ccess+4l !ristian li8in/ is kno6in/
!o6 to release t!e -o6er o+ t!e 3ol. S-irit in
o4r li8es so t!at 6e can )o t!e t!in/s 6e co4l)
not )o in o4r o6n stren/t!.
Aes4s ,a)e t!is clear to 3is )isci-les a+ter
t!e res4rrection" 1e+ore 3e e8er release) t!e, to
/o o4t into ,inistr. o+ t!eir o6n. In Acts 1%$"
3e sai)%
,
'But you will recei)e /ower when the Holy
S/irit comes on youA and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth'
!Acts +$, NIV%
3e sai)" in e++ect" ?In or)er to )o 6!at IC8e
c!ar/e) .o4 to )o" .o4Cre /oin/ to nee) -o6er
/reater t!an .o4r o6n. T!at -o6er 6ill co,e
+ro, t!e 3ol. S-irit. DonCt /o an) 1e/in to
,inister 4ntil t!at -o6er o+ t!e 3ol. S-irit !as
co,e to .o4.?
o,-are t!is 6it! t!e 6or)s o+ Pa4l in
<-!esians 6!ere !e is s-eakin/ -ri,aril. a1o4t
-o6er in -ra.er%
21
Now to him C4odD who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we as* or imagine,
#$
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
according to his /ower that is at wor* within
us
!9/hesians 0$21 NIV%
Pa4l sa.s 6!at Go) can )o +ar excee)s t!e
!i/!est t!at 6e co4l) e8er t!ink or i,a/ine" 14t
it )e-en)s on 3is -o6er at 6ork in 4s. T!e
extent o+ 6!at Go) can )o t!ro4/! 4s )oes not
)e-en) on o4r t!inkin/ or i,a/inin/. It )e-en)s
on 3is s4-ernat4ral -o6er 1ein/ release) in 4s
an) t!ro4/! 4s" 6!et!er it is in -ra.er" in
-reac!in/ or in an. +or, o+ ser8ice. T!e ke. is
kno6in/ !o6 to release t!e -o6er o+ t!e 3ol.
S-irit an) 1eco,e c!annels or instr4,ents
t!ro4/! 6!ic! 3e can 6ork 6it!o4t !in)rance.
Seein/ t!is" 6e can ,o8e to t!e next ke. +act o+
Scri-t4re. T!e ol)" carnal nat4re o--oses t!e 3ol.
S-irit. T!e 8er. essence an) c!aracter o+ t!e ol)
nat4re is s4c! t!at it )oes not .iel) to t!e 3ol. S-irit.
It is in o--osition to t!e 3ol. S-irit. In t!e Ne6
Testa,ent t!is carnal nat4re" 6!at 6e are 1. nat4re
1e+ore 6e are trans+or,e) 1. t!e ne6 1irt!" is calle)
'the flesh' T!is ter, )oes not si,-l. ,ean t!e
-!.sical 1o).. It is t!e entire nat4re t!at 6e in!erite)
1. )escent +ro, o4r +irst +at!er" A)a," 6!o 6as a
#9
&asting
re1el. In ot!er 6or)s" l4rkin/ so,e6!ere in e8er.
one o+ 4s t!ere is a re1el. T!at is t!e carnal nat4reL
In Galatians 5%1(&1;" Pa4l sa.s a1o4t t!at
carnal nat4re%
+3
But I say, wal* by the S/irit Cthe Holy S/iritD,
and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh
C9ach of us is de/endent on the Holy S/iritD
+B
&or the flesh sets its desire against the S/irit,
and the S/irit against the fleshA for these are in
o//osition to one another, so that you may not
do the things that you /lease
!NAS%
T!at is 8er. clear an) 8er. i,-ortant. T!e
carnal nat4re is in o--osition to t!e S-irit o+
Go). I+ 6e .iel) to t!e carnal nat4re" 6e are
o--osin/ t!e S-irit o+ Go). I+ 6e are /oin/ to
.iel) to t!e 3ol. S-irit" 6e ,4st )eal 6it! t!e
carnal nat4re" 1eca4se as lon/ as t!e carnal
nat4re controls an) o-erates t!ro4/! 4s" 6!at
6e )o 6ill 1e in o--osition to t!e 3ol. S-irit.
T!is a--lies not onl. to o4r -!.sical )esires" 14t
it also a--lies to 6!at t!e Bi1le calls t!e carnal
,in)" 6!ic! is t!e 6a. t!e ol)" carnal"
4nre/enerate nat4re t!inks.
'0
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
In a -o6er+4l 8erse in >o,ans" Pa4l states a
tr4t! a1o4t t!e carnal ,in)%
B
the carnal mind is enmity against 4od$ for it
is not sub8ect to the law of 4od, neither indeed
can be
!Eomans ,$B KJV%
T!ese are stron/ 6or)s Pa4l is 4sin/. 3e
sa.s t!e +les! o--oses t!e 3ol. S-irit. 3e sa.s
t!e +les!l. ,in) is en,it. a/ainst Go). It is not
ne4tralit.. T!ere is no s4//estion t!at so,e!o6
t!e carnal nat4re an) t!e carnal ,in) can 1e
-ers4a)e) to )o t!e 6ill o+ Go). It is
i,-ossi1le. T!e carnal ,in)" 1. its 8er. nat4re"
is en,it. a/ainst Go).
2!at is t!e carnal ,in)M I 4n)erstan) it t!is
6a.% it is t!e ol)" 4nre/enerate so4l in its ,ain
+4nctions. T!e +4nctions o+ t!e so4l are 4s4all.
)e+ine) as 6ill" intelli/ence an) e,otions. <ac!
o+ t!e, can 1e s4,,e) 4- in a s!ort" +a,iliar"
<n/lis! 6or). T!e 6ill sa.s" ?I 6ant?@ t!e
intelli/ence Jor t!e ,in)K sa.s" ?I t!ink?@ t!e
e,otions sa." ?I +eel.? Nat4ral" 4nre/ener&ate
,an is )o,inate) an) controlle) 1. t!ose t!ree
ex-ressions o+ t!e e/o% ?I 6ant"? ?I t!ink"? an)
'1
&asting
?I +eel.? T!is is t!e 6a. t!e carnal nat4re
o-erates.
I+ 6e are to co,e into s41,ission to t!e
3ol. S-irit" an) i+ t!e 3ol. S-irit is to o-erate
t!ro4/! 4s 6it! +ree)o," t!en t!e carnal nat4re
,4st 1e 1ro4/!t into s41Bection to t!e 3ol.
S-irit. 2e ,4st s41Bect t!e ?I 6ant"? t!e ?I
t!ink"? an) t!e ?I +eel? to t!e S-irit o+ Go).
Accor)in/ to Go)Cs -attern in Scri-t4re" t!is is
)one 1. +astin/. T!at 6as !o6 Aes4s 3i,sel+
)i) it" t!at 6as !o6 Pa4l )i) it" an) t!at is !o6
.o4 an) I are ex-ecte) to )o it.
3ere is Pa4lCs o6n acco4nt o+ !o6 !e
str4//le) 6it! !is carnal nat4re an) !o6 !e
/aine) 8ictor. o8er it. In 1 orint!ians 9%#5&#;"
Pa4l )escri1es t!is str4//le in ter,s o+ an
at!lete /oin/ into trainin/ +or 8ictor. in
at!letics%
26
9)eryone who com/etes in the games Cthe
=lym/icsD goes into strict training (hey do it to
get a crown that will not lastA but we do it to get
a crown that will last fore)er
23
(herefore I do not run li*e a man run; ning
aimlesslyA I do not fight li*e a man beating the
'#
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
air
G3e is sa.in/" ?IC, a ,an 6it! a /oal@ IC, a ,an
6it! a -4r-ose. IC, a ,an 4n)er )isci-line.? An)
!e s4,s it 4- t!is 6a.%H
2B
No, I beat my body and ma*e it my sla)e so
that after I ha)e /reached to others, I myself will
not be dis<ualified for the /ri:e
!+ 7orinthians @$26;2B NIV%
Pa4l realiEe) t!at !e !a) to 1rin/ !is carnal
nat4re into s41Bection i+ !e 6as /oin/ to s4ccee)
in !is )i8ine callin/. T!is lea8es e8er. one o+ 4s
6it! a D4estion% 2!ic! is t!e ,aster an) 6!ic!
is t!e ser8ant in eac! o+ 4sM Is t!e 1o). t!e
,aster an) t!e S-irit B4st t!e sla8eM Or is t!e
S-irit t!e ,aster an) t!e 1o). t!e ser8antM I 6ill
tell .o4 t!is% .o4r 1o). ,akes a 6on)er+4l
ser8ant" 14t a terri1le ,aster.
I a, re,in)e) o+ t!e stor. o+ a +rien) o+
,ine" a la6.er in t!e 2as!in/ton" D.." area"
6!o !ear) ,e -reac! on +astin/ once an)
)eci)e) it 6as t!e ri/!t t!in/ to )o. 3e set asi)e
a )a. to +ast an) !e !a) a ,isera1le )a.. <8er.
ti,e !e 6alke) o4t on t!e street" !e see,e) to
+in) !i,sel+ in +ront o+ a resta4rant 6!ere t!e
aro,a o+ cookin/ 6as tantaliEin/ or -astries
''
&asting
6ere )is-la.e) in t!e 6in)o6. 3e !a) a
tre,en)o4s inner str4//le to a1stain. So" at t!e
en) o+ t!e )a. !e /a8e !is sto,ac! a ?talkin/&
to.? 3e sai)" ?No6" sto,ac!. Fo4C8e 1een 8er.
re1ellio4s to)a.. Fo4C8e ,a)e a lot o+
4nnecessar. tro41le +or ,e an) +or t!at reason
IC, /oin/ to -4nis! .o4. IC, /oin/ to +ast
to,orro6 as 6ell as to)a..?
To ,e t!at is a tre,en)o4s lesson in
esta1lis!in/ 6!o is t!e ,aster an) 6!o is t!e
ser8ant. >e,e,1er" .o4r 1o). is a 6on)er+4l
ser8ant" 14t a terri1le ,aster. I+ .o4 are reall.
/oin/ to s4ccee) in t!e !ristian li+e an) 6in
t!e cro6n in t!e ?!ristian at!letics"? .o4 are
/oin/ to !a8e to esta1lis! t!e +act in .o4r o6n
ex-erience t!at .o4r 1o). )oes not )ictate to
.o4 or control .o4" an) t!at .o4 are not
controlle) 1. its 6!i,s or a--etites. >at!er" .o4
,4st 1e controlle) 1. a sense o+ Go)Cs )i8ine
)estin. an) -4r-ose +or .o4r li+e. In t!at re/ar)"
.o4 6ill )o e8er.t!in/ t!at is nee)e) to 1rin/
.o4r 1o). into s41Bection so t!at it )oes not
)ictate to .o4 or !in)er .o4 in r4nnin/ .o4r
race. I 1elie8e one o+ t!e 1asic scri-t4ral 6a.s
'9
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
to )o t!is is 1. t!e -ractice o+ re/4lar +astin/.
2!en .o4 +ast" .o4 ser8e notice on .o4r
1o). an) .o4r carnal nat4re% ?Fo4 )onCt control
,e. IC, not s41Bect to .o4. Fo4Cre ,. ser8ant.
Fo4Cll o1e. 6!at t!e S-irit o+ Go) in ,e
)eclares I !a8e to )o.?
'5
Chapter Four
. Fasting Can Change History
e !a8e seen !o6 +astin/ c!an/es o4r
inner -ersonalities accor)in/ to certain
-rinci-les. First" 6e ,4st reco/niEe t!at t!e
-o6er o+ t!e !ristian li+e is t!e 3ol. S-irit.
T!e 3ol. S-irit is t!e onl. -o6er t!at 6ill
ena1le an.one to lea) a tr4l. !ristian li+e.
Secon)" 6e ,4st reco/niEe t!at t!e +les!" o4r
carnal nat4re" o--oses t!e 3ol. S-irit. T!e. are
in )irect o--osition to one anot!er. I+ t!e +les!
-re8ails" t!e 3ol. S-irit cannot !a8e 3is 6a..
T!ir)" +astin/ is Go)Cs a--ointe) 6a. to 1rin/
t!e carnal nat4re into s41Bection. T!e 3ol.
S-irit is t!en +ree to ena1le 4s to )o 6!at Go)
)esires 4s to )o.
2
Personall." I 1elie8e t!ere is no 6a. to
,eas4re t!e -o6er release) 1. -ra.er an)
+astin/ 6!en -ractice) 6it! ri/!t ,oti8es an) in
accor)ance 6it! t!e -rinci-les o+ Scri-t4re. T!e
-o6er t!4s release) can c!an/e not onl.
in)i8i)4als or +a,ilies" 14t cities" nations" or
e8en entire ci8iliEations.
';
&asting
I no6 6ant to s!are so,e exa,-les +ro, t!e
Bi1le o+ !o6 +astin/ !as a++ecte) t!e )estin. o+
cities" nations" an) e,-ires. O4r +irst exa,-le is
+ro, t!e 1ook o+ Aona!. Go) calle) Aona!" t!e
Israelite -ro-!et" to /o to Nine8e!" a Gentile
cit. an) t!e ca-ital o+ t!e Ass.rian <,-ire.
Aona! re+4se) to /o an) trie) to r4n a6a. +ro,
Go)" 14t Go) )ealt 6it! !i, 8er. se8erel..
2!at +ollo6e) is recor)e) in t!e t!ir) c!a-ter
o+ Aona!%
+
(hen the word of the 2ord came to Jonah a
second time$
2
'4o to the great city of Nine)eh and /roclaim to
it the message I gi)e you'
0
Jonah obeyed the word of the 2ord and went to
Nine)eh Now Nine)eh was a )ery im/ortant city
Fa )isit re<uired three days Cto go all through
itD
#
=n the first day, Jonah started into the city He
/roclaimed$ '&orty more days and Nine)eh will
be o)erturned'
!Jonah 0$+;# NIV%
Aona!Cs 8er. si,-le ,essa/e 6as a +inal
6arnin/ o+ i,-en)in/ B4)/,ent on t!e cit.. T!e
res-onse o+ t!e Nine8ites 6as re,arka1le%
'$
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
6
(he Nine)ites belie)ed 4od (hey declared a
fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the
least, /ut on sac*cloth Cthe outward e)idence of
mourningD
3
?hen the news reached the *ing of Nine)eh, he
rose from his throne, too* off his royal robes,
co)ered himself with sac*cloth and sat down in
the dust
!Jonah 0$6;3 NIV%
3ere is a -ict4re o+ a 6!ole cit. t4rnin/ to
Go) in re-entance" in +astin/" an) in ,o4rnin/.
T!e -rocla,ation t!at t!e kin/ iss4e) 6as e8en
,ore re,arka1le. It /oes like t!is%
B
'By decree of the *ing and his nobles$ Go not
let any man or beast, herd or floc*, taste
anythingA do not let them eat or drin*'
!Jonah 0$B NIV%
T!at was a )ery total fast" not onl. +or t!e
!4,an -o-4lation 14t +or t!e li8estock@ not onl.
)i) t!e. a1stain +ro, +oo)" 14t also +ro,
)rinkin/. An) t!en t!e -rocla,ation contin4es%
,
'But let man and beast be co)ered with
sac*cloth Cagain, the outward emblem of
mourningD 2et e)eryone call urgently on 4od
2et them gi)e u/ their e)il ways and their
'9
&asting
)iolence'
!Jonah 0$, NIV%
T!is total res-onse is i,-ortant. Fastin/ is
o+ no 1ene+it i+ 6e contin4e )oin/ t!e 6ron/
t!in/. B4t it is in8al4a1le as a s-irit4al !el- in
t4rnin/ +ro, 6ron/ to )o ri/!t.
So" t!e Nine8ites not onl. +aste) an)
co8ere) t!e,sel8es 6it! sackclot!" t!e. ,a)e a
-rocla,ation to 'let them gi)e u/ their e)il
ways and their )iolence' Fro, ot!er -assa/es
o+ Scri-t4re 6e +in) t!at t!e o4tstan)in/ sin o+
Nine8e! 6as 8iolence. T!en t!e -rocla,ation
closes t!is 6a.%
@
'?ho *nows> 4od may yet relent and with
com/assion turn from his fierce anger so that we
will not /erish'
CNow here is the di)ine commentary on this$D
+1
?hen 4od saw what they did and how they
turned from their e)il ways, he had com/assion
and did not bring u/on them the destruction he
had threatened
!Jonah 0$@;+1 NIV%
Fo4 6ill re,e,1er t!at Ao!n t!e Ba-tist
-reac!e) a ,essa/e o+ re-entance. 2!en certain
90
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
-eo-le ca,e to ask +or 1a-tis, as e8i)ence o+
re-entance" !e sai)" ?I 6ant to see t!e +r4it o+
re-entance in .o4r li+e. ItCs no /oo) tellin/ ,e
.o4C8e re-ente) i+ I canCt see t!e res4lts in t!e
6a. .o4 act.? JSee Matt!e6 '%;&$.K
In t!e case o+ t!e Nine8ites" Go) sa6 !o6
t!e. t4rne) +ro, t!eir e8il 6a.s" so 3e !a)
co,-assion an) )i) not 1rin/ 4-on t!e, t!e
)estr4ction 3e !a) t!reatene).
It is 8er. interestin/ to see t!e !istoric
res4lt. Nine8e! 6as s-are) +or al,ost t6o
!4n)re) .ears 1e+ore it 6as +inall. )estro.e).
D4rin/ t!at ti,e in Israel" Go) !a) 8ario4s
-ro-!ets" s4c! as A,os an) 3osea" 6!o
1ro4/!t t!e ,essa/e o+ t!e 6arnin/ o+ B4)/,ent
an) t!e call to re-entance to Israel. Israel !a)
t!e Scri-t4res" t!e. !a) t!e 1ack/ro4n) o+
Moses an) t!e =a6" an) t!e. !a) t!e -ro-!ets.
Man. -ro-!ets 6ent to t!e Israelites" 14t t!e.
)i) not t4rn.
In contrast" Nine8e! !a) no s4c!
1ack/ro4n). One -ro-!et 6ent once" an) t!e
6!ole cit. t4rne). T!at is re,arka1leL It is an
interestin/ conseD4ence t!at Go) s-are)
91
&asting
Nine8e! an) t!en 4se) t!e Ass.rian <,-ire" o+
6!ic! Nine8e! 6as t!e ca-ital" to 1rin/ 3is
B4)/,ent on IsraelL
Go)Cs B4)/,ent o+ Israel is a 6arnin/" I
1elie8e" +or 2estern nations 6!ere 6e !a8e a
lon/ 1ack/ro4n) o+ !ristian tra)ition"
kno6le)/e o+ t!e Scri-t4res an) t!e or/aniEe)
c!4rc!. o4l) it 1e t!at Go) !as 1een s-eakin/"
14t 6e !a8e 1een as )ea+ as t!e -eo-le o+ IsraelM
o4l) Go) sen) 3is ,essen/ers to so,e nation
6it! no !ristian 1ack/ro4n) so t!at it 6o4l)
t4rn to 3i," an) t!en 4se t!at nation to 1e an
instr4,ent o+ B4)/,entM o4l) a nation s4c! as
!ina 1rin/ B4)/,ent on 4nre-entant"
-ro+essin/ !ristian nationsM Does t!at ,essa/e
!a8e an 4-&to&)ate a--lication +or 4sM
For a secon) exa,-le o+ !o6 !istor. 6as
c!an/e) 1. t!e -ractice o+ +astin/" 6e 6ill t4rn
to t!e 1ook o+ <st!er. T!e Ae6is! -eo-le 6ere
in exile in t!e Persian <,-ire" 6!ic! consiste)
o+ 1#; -ro8inces co8erin/ t!e kno6n ancient
6orl) +ro, </.-t to In)ia. Practicall. e8er.
Ae6 in t!e 6orl) 6as li8in/ at t!at ti,e 6it!in
t!e con+ines o+ t!e Persian <,-ire.
9#
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
A ,an na,e) 3a,an !a) /aine) /reat
-olitical -osition an) -o6er in t!e Persian
<,-ire. 3e -ers4a)e) t!e kin/ to sen) +ort! a
4ni8ersal )ecree +or t!e )estr4ction o+ all t!e
Ae6is! -eo-le 6it!in t!e con+ines o+ !is e,-ire
on a certain )a.. T!is 6as -ro1a1l. t!e nearest
t!at an.1o). !as e8er co,e to act4all. 1lottin/
o4t t!e Ae6is! nationIin a sense" e8en nearer
t!an A)ol-! 3itler in 2orl) 2ar II. It 6as a
crisis s4c! as Israel !a) ne8er +ace) in all t!eir
!istor.. T!eir res-onse to t!is crisis 6as to t4rn
to Go) 6it! +astin/ an) -ra.er.
In -artic4lar" N4een <st!er J6!o 6as Ae6is!
t!o4/! t!e kin/ )i) not kno6 !er racial
1ack/ro4n)K" set an exa,-le 6!ic! 1eca,e a
-attern +or all s41seD4ent /enerations o+ t!e
-o6er o+ -ra.er an) +astin/ to 1rin/ +ort!
intercession t!at c!an/es !istor.. T!is is t!e
)escri-tion in <st!er 9%15&1;%
+6
(hen 9sther sent this re/ly to "ordecai$
+3
'4o, gather together all the Jews who are in
Susa, and fast for me Go not eat or drin* for
three days, night or day I and my maids will fast
as you do ?hen this is done, I will go to the
*ing, e)en though it is against the law And if I
9'
&asting
/erish, I /erish'
+B
So "ordecai went away and carried out all of
9sther5s instructions
!NIV%
T!e Ae6is! -eo-le kne6 6!at to )o. It !a)
1een esta1lis!e) in t!e or)inance o+ t!e Da. o+
Atone,ent. T!e. kne6 t!e 6a. to !4,1le
t!e,sel8es 1e+ore Go) 6as to +ast. All t!e Ae6s
in t!e ca-ital cit. o+ S4sa" +ro, <st!er
)o6n6ar)s" set asi)e t!ree )a.s o+ -ra.er an)
+astin/. 2!at 6as t!e res4ltM In <st!er 5%1&'" 6e
rea) t!ese 6or)s%
+
=n the third day Cof /rayer and fastingD 9sther
/ut on her royal robes and stood in the inner
court of the /alace, in front of the *ing5s hall
(he *ing was sitting on his royal throne in the
hall, facing the entrance
2
?hen he saw Hueen 9sther standing in the
court, he was /leased with her and held out to
her the gold sce/ter that was in his hand So
9sther a//roached and touched the ti/ of the
sce/ter
0
(hen the *ing as*ed, '?hat is it, Hueen 9sther>
?hat is your re<uest> 9)en u/ to half the
*ingdom, it will be gi)en you'
!9sther 6$+;0 NIV%
99
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
<st!er 6ent in 6it! !er reD4est an) c!an/e)
t!e entire co4rse o+ t!e !istor. o+ t!e Persian
<,-ire. Instea) o+ )e+eat an) s!a,e" t!e
sit4ation 1eca,e !onor an) -ro,otion +or t!e
Ae6is! -eo-le an) +or t!eir lea)ers" Mor)ecai
an) <st!er. T!e critical t4rnin/ -oint 6as t!e
t!ree&)a. -erio) 6!en <st!er an) all t!e Ae6s in
S4sa +aste) an) so4/!t Go). T!en t!eir )estin.
6as c!an/e). 2!en <st!er 6ent in to t!e kin/"
!e sai)" ?2!at )o .o4 6antM It 6ill 1e /i8en to
.o4 4- to !al+ t!e kin/)o,.? In ot!er 6or)s"
-ra.er an) +astin/ o-ene) t!e 6a. +or all t!at
<st!er co4l) -ossi1l. nee) on 1e!al+ o+ !er
-eo-le.
<st!er is a 1ea4ti+4l -attern +or 4s to)a..
Go) is lookin/ +or ,en an) 6o,en like <st!er
6!o realiEe t!e critical nat4re o+ o4r sit4ation
an) t4rn to Go) 6it! t!eir +ello6 1elie8ers in
-ra.er an) +astin/. Pra.er an) +astin/ can still
call +ort! )i8ine inter8ention on 1e!al+ o+ 3is
-eo-le an) t!e critical sit4ation in t!e 6orl)
to)a." B4st as ,4c! as it )i) in t!e )a.s o+
<st!er. Go) is 4r/entl. s-eakin/ to 3is -eo-le
in t!ese )a.s a1o4t t!e nee) +or -ra.er an)
95
&asting
+astin/.
9(
Chapter Five
/ Prelu0e to the atter "ain
e !a8e seen t!e ,eas4reless -o6er t!at is
release) 1. -ra.er an) +astin/ 6!en
-ractice) 6it! ri/!t ,oti8es an) in accor)ance
6it! t!e -rinci-les o+ Scri-t4re. T!e -o6er t!4s
release) can c!an/e not onl. in)i8i)4als an)
+a,ilies" 14t 6!ole cities" nations an)
ci8iliEations. T6o !istorical" 1i1lical exa,-les
o+ t!is are t!e cit. o+ Nine8e! in t!e ti,e o+
Aona!" an) t!e Ae6is! race in t!e Persian
<,-ire in t!e ti,e o+ <st!er. In eac! case" t!e
co4rse o+ !istor. 6as ra)icall. an) -er,anentl.
c!an/e) 6!en a /ro4- o+ -eo-le !4,1le)
t!e,sel8es 1e+ore Go) 1. -ra.er an) +astin/.
2
3o6e8er" 6e s!o4l) not look on t!is kin) o+
!istor.&c!an/in/ )e,onstration o+ Go)Cs -o6er
as so,et!in/ con+ine) to t!e -ast. It is -ossi1le"
1. t!e sa,e ,eans o+ -ra.er an) +astin/" +or 4s
to call +ort! an inter8ention o+ Go) in !istor.
to)a. as -o6er+4l an) )ra,atic as t!ose
recor)e) in t!e Bi1le. T!is is 1ot! a )es-erate
nee) an) a /lorio4s -ossi1ilit.. In +act" I 1elie8e
t!at Go) is 6aitin/ +or 4s to )o t!is.
9;
&asting
For an 4n)erstan)in/ o+ 6!at Go) ex-ects
+ro, 4s t!is 6a." 6e t4rn to t!e -ro-!et Aoel.
Aoel /i8es 4s a 1rie+ 14t co,-re!ensi8e
o8er8ie6 o+ Go)Cs -4r-oses +or 3is -eo-le in
t!ese last )a.s. Aoel o-ens 6it! a scene o+ total
)isaster an) )esolation. Aoel 1%$&1# /i8es a
-ict4re o+ a )es-erate an) !o-eless sit4ation%
,
?ail li*e a )irgin girded with sac*cloth
&or the bridegroom of her youth
@
(he grain offering and the libation are cut off
&rom the house of the 2ord1
(he /riests mourn,
(he ministers of the 2ord1
+1
(he field is ruined,
(he land mourns,
&or the grain is ruined
(he new wine dries u/,
&resh oil fails
++
Be ashamed, = farmers,
?ail, = )inedressers,
&or the wheat and the barleyA
Because the har)est of the field is destroyed
+2
(he )ine dries u/,
And the fig tree failsA
9$
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
(he /omegranate, the /alm also,
and the a//le tree,
All the trees of the field dry u/
Indeed, re8oicing dries u/
&rom the sons of men
!Joel +$,;+2 NAS%
T!e sit4ation is one o+ )esolation" 1li/!t"
!o-elessness" ,o4rnin/ an) a total a1sence o+
Bo.. B4t Go) t!en re8eals 3is a--ointe) re,e).
t!ro4/! t!e sa,e -ro-!et in t!e 8erses t!at
+ollo6. In Aoel 1%1'&19" Go) instr4cts 3is
-eo-le%
+0
4ird yoursel)es with sac*cloth,
And lament, = /riestsA
?ail, = ministers of the altarI
7ome, s/end the night in sac*cloth,
= ministers of my 4od,
&or the grain offering and the libation
Are withheld from the house of your 4od
+#
7onsecrate a fast,
.roclaim a solemn assemblyA
4ather the elders
And all the inhabitants of the land
99
&asting
(o the house of the 2ord your 4od,
And cry out to the 2ord1
!Joel +$+0;+# NAS%
Go)Cs re,e). is to consecrate a +ast an)
t!en seek Go) 6it! )es-erate -ra.er.
'7onsecrate' !ere ,eans to set a-art a ti,e +or
Go) 6!en .o4 6ill +ast.
Go) re-eats t!ese instr4ctions in Aoel #%1#%
+2
'Jet e)en now,' declares the 2ord,
'Eeturn to "e with all your heart,
And with fasting, wee/ing, and mourning'
!Joel 2$+2 NAS%
A/ain" t!e 1asic reD4ire,ent is +astin/. A
little +4rt!er on in Aoel" 6e rea)%
+6
Blow a trum/et in Kion,
Ca /ublic /roclamation to all 4od5s /eo/leD
7onsecrate a fast, /roclaim a solemn assembly,
+3
4ather the /eo/le, sanctify the congregation,
Assemble the elders,
4ather the children and the nursing infants
2et the bridegroom come out of his room
And the bride out of her bridal chamber
CAll /eo/le are to gi)e themsel)es to see*ing
50
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
4od without reser)ation All normal daily
occu/ations are tem/orarily set asideD
+B
2et the /riests, the 2ord5s ministers,
?ee/ between the /orch and the altar,
And let them say, 'S/are (hy /eo/le, = 2ord$
And do not ma*e (hine inheritance a re/roach,
A byword among the nations
?hy should they among the /eo/les say,
?here is their 4od>5'
!Joel 2$+6;+B NAS%
3ere is Go)Cs -ro,ise) res-onse to t!e
-ra.er an) +astin/ o+ 3is -eo-le%
20
'So re8oice, = sons of Kion,
And be glad in the !"# your 4odA
&or He has gi)en you the early rain for your
)indication
And He has /oured down for you the rain,
(he early and latter rain as before
2#
And the threshing floors will be full of grain,
And the )ats will o)erflow with the new wine and
oil
26
(hen I will ma*e u/ to you for the years
(hat the swarming locust has eaten,
(he cree/ing locust, the stri//ing locust, and the
51
&asting
gnawing locust,
"y great army which I sent among you
23
And you shall ha)e /lenty to eat and be
satisfied,
And /raise the name of the 2ord your 4od,
?ho has dealt wondrously with youA
(hen "y /eo/le will ne)er be /ut to shame
2B
(hus you will *now that I am in the midst of
Israel,
And that I am the 2ord your 4od
And there is no otherA
And "y /eo/le will ne)er be /ut to shame
2,
And it will come about after this
(hat I will /our out "y S/irit on all man*indA
And your sons and daughters will /ro/hesy,
Jour old men will dream dreams,
Jour young men will see )isions

2@
And e)en on the male and female ser)ants
I will /our out "y S/irit in those days'
!Joel 2$20;2@ NAS%
In res-onse to -ra.er an) +astin/ 1. 3is
-eo-le" Go) sa.s" ?I 6ill co,e to .o4r !el-. I
6ill c!an/e t!e 6!ole sit4ation" take a6a. t!e
)eart! an) t!e 1li/!t" an) s4--l. all .o4r nee)s.
5#
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
T!ere 6ill 1e an a14n)ance" an o8er+lo6" an)
no lon/er 6ill .o4 1e a re-roac! a,on/ t!e
nations. Fo4 6ill 1e a1le to li+t 4- .o4r !ea)s"
an) ot!er -eo-les 6ill sa." C=ook 6!at Go) !as
)one +or t!e,.C?
In -artic4lar" Go) -ro,ises t!at 3e 6ill
sen) 3is -eo-le t!e )es-eratel. nee)e) +or,er
an) latter rain. 3e t!en sa.s" in a s-irit4al
a--lication o+ t!e rain" 'I will /our out "y
S/irit on all man*ind'
In t!e Ne6 Testa,ent 6e rea) t!e 6or)s o+
t!e a-ostle Peter to t!e cro6) t!at !a)
asse,1le) on t!e Da. o+ Pentecost" a+ter t!e
3ol. S-irit !a) co,e%
+3
'But this is what was s/o*en of through the
/ro/het Joel C.eter lin*s this to the
/ro/hecy of Joel cited abo)eD$
+B
5And it shall be in the last days,5 4od says,
5(hat i will /our forth of "y S/irit u/on all
man*indA
And your sons and your daughters shall
/ro/hesy,
And your young men shall see )isions,
And your old men shall dream dreamsA
5'
&asting
+,
9)en u/on "y bondsla)es, both men and
women,
I will in those days /our forth of "y S/irit
and they shall /ro/hesy5'
!Acts 2$+3;+, NAS%
Go) !as -re-are) a 6orl)6i)e o4t-o4rin/ o+
3is 3ol. S-irit 4-on 3is c!4rc! +or t!ese last
)a.s. It is Go)Cs ans6er to t!e )es-erate nee)s
an) -ress4res o+ t!is ti,e. It is 3is ans6er +or
t!e satanic" 4n/o)l. +orces t!at are co,in/
a/ainst 3is -eo-le +ro, so ,an. areas" an) to
t!e 1li/!t an) )eart! in t!e c!4rc! o+ Go). Go)
)oes not inten) to lea8e 3is -eo-le !el-less or
at t!e ,erc. o+ all t!ese e8il -ress4res an)
+orces. Go) !as a -ro8ision. 3e !as -ro,ise) to
-o4r o4t 3is S-irit an) !el- 3is -eo-le on a
s4-ernat4ral le8el. 3o6e8er" 3e reD4ires t!e
con)ition 1e ,et t!at 6e seek 3i, 6it! -ra.er
an) +astin/" in a 4nite) an) collecti8e 6a..
Notice t!e -ro,ise in Aoel #%#$% 'It will
come about after this that I will /our out "y
S/irit on all man*ind' A+ter 6!atM A+ter 6e
!a8e ,et Go)Cs state) con)itions. 2e are to
consecrate a +ast" call a sole,n asse,1l." seek
59
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
Go)" an) co,e to/et!er 6it! -ra.er an) +astin/.
T!en 3e sa.s 3e 6ill 1e +ait!+4l to 3is
co,,it,ent to 4s. Go) sa.s t!at 3e 6ill co,e
to .o4 in t!e -o6er an) +4llness o+ t!e 3ol.
S-irit to c!an/e t!e 6!ole sit4ation. Instea) o+
1ein/ +ear+4l an) )e+eate)" .o4 6ill 1eco,e
stron/ an) e++ecti8e. Instea) o+ sneerin/ at .o4"
t!e 6orl) 6ill stan) 1ack in a6e an) a,aEe,ent
6!en it sees !o6 Go) !as co,e to t!e !el- o+
3is -eo-le.
In callin/ Go)Cs -eo-le to -ra.er an)
+astin/" t!e ,essa/e o+ Aoel -laces a s-ecial
res-onsi1ilit. 4-on t!e s-irit4al lea)ers o+ 3is
-eo-le. T!ree classes o+ -ersons are sin/le) o4t
,ore t!an once +or s-ecial ,ention. T!e. are
t!e -riests" t!e ,inisters" an) t!e el)ers. For
instance" in Aoel 1%1'&19" 6e +in)% '4ird
yoursel)es with sac*cloth, and lament, =
/riestsA ?ail, = ministers of the
altarI.roclaim a solemn assemblyA gather the
elders' 3ere t!e e,-!asis is on t!e -riests" t!e
,inisters" an) t!e el)ers.
In Aoel #%1(&1;" Go) instr4ctions are%
'4ather the /eo/le, sanctify the congregation,
55
&asting
assemble the elders 2et the /riests, the 2ord5s
ministers, wee/ between the /orch and the
altar' T!ere is a )es-erate nee) +or ,en o+
Go) in lea)ers!i- 6!o" 1. exa,-le" 6ill s!o6
Go)Cs -eo-le t!is -attern o+ collecti8e -ra.er
an) +astin/ to seek Go)Cs inter8ention on 1e!al+
o+ 3is -eo-le.
T!is a--lies to t!e nation in 6!ic! 6e li8e.
2e nee) to see a/ain t!e tr4t! o+ t!at +a,iliar
8erse in # !ronicles ;%19%
+#
'if my /eo/le, who are called by my name,
will humble themsel)es and /ray and see* my
face and turn from their wic*ed ways, then will I
hear from hea)en and will forgi)e their sin and
will heal their land'
!NIV%
I 1elie8e t!at is a ,essa/e +or 4s in t!ese
)a.s. Go) is tellin/ 4s once a/ain 3e 6ill
inter8ene on a nation6i)e scale. 3e 6ill not
onl. s!o6 3i,sel+ stron/ on 1e!al+ o+
in)i8i)4als an) +a,ilies" 14t on 1e!al+ o+ cities"
co,,4nities" re/ions" an) 6!ole nations.
T!e kin) o+ inter8ention Go) s-eaks a1o4t
in # !ronicles ;%19 reD4ires 3is -eo-le to ,eet
5(
(he .rimary .ur/ose of &asting
3is con)itions. T!e +irst con)ition is" 'if "y
/eo/le will humble themsel)es' 2e !a8e seen
in t!e co4rse o+ o4r st4). t!at t!is ,eans
collecti8e" 4nite) +astin/ an) -ra.in/. Fro, t!e
Da. o+ Atone,ent on" t!is !as 1een t!e
a--ointe) 6a. +or Go)Cs -eo-le to !4,1le
t!e,sel8es 1e+ore 3i," an) Go)Cs or)inance
!as not c!an/e). 3e is 6aitin/ +or lea)ers 6!o"
in !4,ilit." 6ill lea) Go)Cs -eo-le in 4nite)
-ra.er an) +astin/. T!en 3e -ro,ises to !ear" to
+or/i8e" an) to !eal t!e lan).
5;