Becoming Like God...In His Care (3 of 4)

This post contains a summary of the various types of fasts, the lengths of fasts, and biblical purposes for fasting. This list is not necessarily exhaustive, but is very representative of the various fasts as found in the Bible.

Types of Fasts in the Bible (our terms, not the Bible's)

• Normal – from food (not water) – Matt. 4.2 (Jesus was hungry, doesn't say thirsty)
• Partial – limitation of diet – Dan. 1.12; Mt. 3.4
• Absolute – no food or water – Ezra 10.6; Esther 4.16; Acts 9.9
• Supernatural – extended – Deut. 9.9; 1 Kings 19.8
• Private – not to be noticed – Matt. 6.16-18
• Congregational – in fellowship – Joel 2.15-16; Acts 13.2
• National – not just Israel – 2 Chron. 20.3; Neh 9.1; Esther 4.1; Jonah 3.5-8 (Nineveh)
• Regular – Day of Atonement – Lev. 16.29-31
• Occasional – as needed – 2 Chron. 20.3; Esther 4.16; Matt. 9.15

Today, most would be normal, private, and occasional.

Lengths of Fasts in the Bible

• Partial to one day – Judg. 20.26; 1 Sam. 7.6; 2 Sam. 1.12; 3.35; Neh. 9.1; Jer. 36.6
• One night – Dan. 6.18-24
• 3 days – Esther 4.16; Acts 9.9
• 7 days – 1 Sam. 31.13; 2 Sam. 12.16-23
• 14 days – Acts 27.33-34
• 21 days – Dan. 10.3-13
• 40 days – Deut 9.9; 1 Kings 19.8; Matt. 4.2
• Unknown – Matt. 9.14; Luke 2.37; Acts 13.2; 14.23

Purposes of Fasts in the Bible

To Strengthen Prayer – Ezra 8.23; Neh. 1.4; Dan. 9.3; Joel 2.12; Acts 13.3

“Fasting does not change God's hearing as much as it changes our praying.”

– Donald Whitney

To Seek God's Guidance
Judg. 20.26; Acts 14.23

Fasting does not ensure God's action, but it does make us more receptive to His guidance.

To Express Grief

• over someone's death – 1 Sam. 31.13 (Saul/Jonathan – 2 Sam. 1.11-12)
• over our sin not to pay for our sin (Jesus did that)
• sins of others 1 Sam. 20.34 for church, country

Admission is not confession. Confession of sin comes from realizing the grief sin causes God.

To Seek Deliverance or Protection:

• Jehoshaphat – 2 Chron. 20.3-4
• Ezra – Ezra. 8.21-23
• Esther – Esther 4.16
• David – Ps. 109.24 (may have been an unusually long fast)

Fasting should be one of our first defenses against persecution.

To Express Repentance and Return to God
1 Sam. 7.6; Joel 2.12; Jonah 3.5-8

As we get closer to God, our sins will be more exposed. We must deal with them and repent.

To Humble Oneself Before God

• Ahab – 1 Kings 21.27-29
• David – Ps. 35.13

Fasting is not humility, but it is an expression of humility toward God. (see Luke 18.12-13)

To Express Concern for the Work of God
Neh. 1.3-4; Dan. 9.3

Both Nehemiah and Daniel prayed for God to intervene, but were both active in living out their faith.

To Minister to the Needs of Others
Isaiah 58 reveals that God did not answer their prayers because their motives were wrong. Compare vv. 3-4 with vv. 6-7.

To Overcome Temptation and Dedicate Yourself to God
Matt. 4.1-11

Jesus was strengthened by the fast to overcome, and prepare Himself for His ministry (v. 17 - “From that time”).

To Express Love and Worship to God

• Anna – Luke 2.37
• Jesus – John 6.51 (Jesus, as the Bread of Heaven, is more satisfying than food.)

“What we hunger for most, we worship.”

– John Piper

*The information summarized here is adapted from Donald Whitney's book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.