INTRODUCTION

Advent has traditionally been a period of fasting in preparation for the feast of Easter, though the abstinence of Advent has usually been much less rigorous than the fast of Lent. Are regular periods of fasting appropriate in the new covenant?

THE TEXT

“Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching God . . . .” (Isaiah 58:1-12).

AFFLICT YOUR SOULS

The law of Moses instituted only one annual fast day for the Israelite calendar, the Day of Atonement, on which the people were required to humble themselves and afflict their souls (Leviticus 16:29-31; 23:27-32). The keynote of Israel’s calendar was festivity, yet fasting was part of the rhythm of Israel’s life. In addition this annual fast, Israel fasted during times of national crisis and defeat (Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6; 31:13; Esther 4:16; Joel 1:4; 2:12-15). Individuals also fasted to embody their sorrow for sin (2 Samuel 12:16-23; 1 Kings 21:27; Nehemiah 1:4). When fasting, an Israelite refrained from food and drink, sometimes refused to wash and change clothes (2 Samuel 12:20), and sometimes wore sackcloth and put ashes on the head (Esther 4:1-3; Isaiah 58:5; Jeremiah 6:26; Daniel 9:3). Yahweh responded to these expressions of repentance by showing mercy (1 Kings 21:27-29; Jonah 3:6-10). Instances of fasting increase during the Old Testament (cf. Zechariah 8:18-23), and by the time of Jesus fasting had become a regular feature of Jewish piety (cf. Matthew 6:16-17; Luke 18:12).

FASTING IN THE NEW COVENANT

Jesus assumes that His disciples fast. He said that His disciples would not fast while the bridegroom was with them, but would fast when the bridegroom was taken (Matthew 9:14-15). He instructs His disciples about the proper attitude in fasting (Matthew 6:16-17), and taught His disciples that fasting and prayer would drive demons away (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:29). The apostles fasted regularly, particularly in preparation for selecting leaders in the church (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23; cf. 27:9). Historically, Reformed churches have followed Old Testament example in calling days of fasting in response to national emergencies.

THE TRUE FAST

Though fasting should be part of Christian living, the church has sometimes overemphasized fasting and misconstrued its purpose. In Scripture, fasting is not about controlling or suppressing bodily desires (cf. Colossians 2:23). We fast in order to devote the time we would eat to prayer, in order to express our sorrow for sin, in order to prepare for feasting. Isaiah emphasizes that the true fast means a change in lifestyle. If we wear sackcloth and ashes, yet oppress employees and fight with each other, God will not respond (Isaiah 58:34-4). Fasting is not bowing, sackcloth, and ashes, but devoting ourselves to breaking yokes of oppression, giving some of our own food to feed the hungry, and giving our clothes to the naked (vv. 6-7). The Lord promises that when we engage in this sort of fast, our light will shine in the world and He will make us a new Eden (vv. 8-12).