First most of the mentions of fasting in the New Testament are not in the older text (1000 years older) and Isa 58 is the key to understanding what a fast to the Lord is? It is not depriving ourselves of food, it is sharing our food with the hungry that God desires.What does the Bible say about fasting? What is the importance of it? Is it part of worship? Is it something to do when you really REALLY want a prayer answered? Because I don't really get why people only sometimes do it.
I think fasting is just what Isa 58 says "sharing your bread" etc.. much like many things in the law was a shadow or type of what we have in Christ... circumcision is an example, it looks like one thing in the law, but in the Spirit its a whole different truth.But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
It's interesting that he says, "when you fast," it's almost like He assumes we will do it, or maybe even a commandment.
I want to be carful because It may be that God would call some to an old testament type of fast? There could be some things that I have not yet understood? I don't want to say that a food fast has no value. But I know for sure that God wanted me to see what He really desires from us is not sacrifice but mercy. That's what Isa 58 is saying. And many of these uses of the word "fast-ing" in the New testament are not in the "much" older text.@Mitspa Can you elaborate a bit more?
WITM, I hope you do gain from these fast, I believe that Isa 58 is clearly making the point that God desires mercy and not sacrifice, I believe it also says that this sort of fast "abstaining from food" is not what God really desires and is just hiding from ones own flesh. I also know that the term "nesteuo" is not found in the Older text as in the KJV. I say that if someone feels they should fast, then they should answer to God with their own conscience. I have made my points and they are hard for some to accept I know. But I do think one should really read Isa 58 and hear what God is saying about what brings forth from us the things that God desires?Unger's Bible Dictionary explains that the word fast in the Bible is from the Hebrew word sum, meaning "to cover" the mouth, or from the Greek word nesteuo , meaning "to abstain." For spiritual purposes, it means to go without eating and drinking (Esther:4:16).
The fast I know of is the type that Christ did (no food and water) But I suppose you could fast from anything. I think the bottom line is, what is a person getting out of the fast. Why should I fast? My experience is that it's a humbling thing. And we know those that are humbled will be lifted up, according to scripture.
Fasting is the same as exercising. Except instead of exercising the muscles, I am exercising the spirit. When I fast, I don't eat, and when I don't eat, I'm denying the flesh. When I deny the flesh, I allow my spirit to breathe.
In my humble opinion, one of the best verses to meditate on while fasting is, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
To me it was like Christ was telling Satan, "I don't need food to survive, the Word of God is enough, I can live off the Word of God."
That verse alone (matthew 4:4), can create such a hunger in a man, that it would cause him to run into the wilderness for days without food, just to seek the Lord.
Why should I fast? My experience is that it's a humbling thing. And we know those that are humbled will be lifted up, according to scripture.
There is one interesting verse no one has brought up.. So I willWhat does the Bible say about fasting? What is the importance of it? Is it part of worship? Is it something to do when you really REALLY want a prayer answered? Because I don't really get why people only sometimes do it.
Well Rav, I sincerely believe that the text that is 1000 years older than this reading is the truth of Gods Word. The older text do not have this word, and the Lord Himself said only a few chapters before that His disciples could not fast while He was with them.There is one interesting verse no one has brought up.. So I will
Mark 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
The disciples were unable to cast demon out.. When they ask Jesus, this was His response.. Some translations (like NIV) leave out fasting.. I don't know why and may be some Bible experts can comment on that! This is from good old KJV
Why would Jesus include fasting in this context? I take the purpose of fasting in this way.. It is really taking our focus off the world and directing it towards the Lord.. That is the purpose of fasting.. Fasting - Uninterrupted focus on Jesus Christ.. Jesus fasted for 40 days before being tempted by satan.. He was all alone.. Why fasting was required?
I don't know if we should derive the purpose of fasting from Isaiah 58.. There the context is not about purpose of fasting.. But Lord is telling them that they need to be right on basic things before their prayers and petitions could be heard.. If they are going to oppress their workers and do evil for them, fasting is of no purpose.. They should share their food with hungry people and only then their fasting will make sense..
On a personal note.. I fast once a month along with my wife.. We fast on first weekend of every month.. We skip breakfast and have a late lunch on first Saturday.. We spend time in praise & worship, prayer and Bible study.. As we skip food, it gives us that uninterrupted window to be in presence of Lord.. And that I believe is why fasting is not needed.. I don't believe through fasting we can achieve anything greater.. But through fasting, the Lord can change us in greater ways
Sorry Mitspa.. Did not quite understand Are you saying the original manuscript does not talk about fasting? Not sure if I understand about that 1000 years correctly.. Are you comparing Isaiah and Mark? Or you are just talking about different manuscripts?Well Rav, I sincerely believe that the text that is 1000 years older than this reading is the truth of Gods Word. The older text do not have this word, and the Lord Himself said only a few chapters before that His disciples could not fast while He was with them.
your reading was from the TR text, the word "fast" is not in the older text that are 1000 years older. My point being that one should consider that this is not the intended reading of that passage? Also in the same book of Mark a few chapters before the Lord said His disciples could not fast while He was with them... thus adding strength to the older reading as being the correct reading in my view.Sorry Mitspa.. Did not quite understand Are you saying the original manuscript does not talk about fasting? Not sure if I understand about that 1000 years correctly.. Are you comparing Isaiah and Mark? Or you are just talking about different manuscripts?
Yes. Like it's expected. Makes me want to do it! Where-Bear, how often do you fast? Will you share with us your experience?But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
It's interesting that he says, "when you fast," it's almost like He assumes we will do it, or maybe even a commandment.
Interesting. I will check out Isaiah 58. I do believe that people have benefitted in their spiritual condition by fasting. Also Daniel fasted while he did his long prayer...First most of the mentions of fasting in the New Testament are not in the older text (1000 years older) and Isa 58 is the key to understanding what a fast to the Lord is? It is not depriving ourselves of food, it is sharing our food with the hungry that God desires.
Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and not to hide not thyself from thine own flesh.
8 ¶ Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
I used to fast every week for years, God first showed me these scripture clearly say he is not wanting me to hide from my flesh, and he showed me that the word "fast" is not in the text as the KJV uses. Where much of these fasting doctrines come from. The Lord told me one day "fast that TV" if you want to fast?
Oh I missed this post, sorry. Mitspa, I love what you are saying about mercy. I guess it can be both sacrifice and mercy..maybe in different situations.I want to be carful because It may be that God would call some to an old testament type of fast? There could be some things that I have not yet understood? I don't want to say that a food fast has no value. But I know for sure that God wanted me to see what He really desires from us is not sacrifice but mercy. That's what Isa 58 is saying. And many of these uses of the word "fast-ing" in the New testament are not in the "much" older text.