Isaiah Teaches about Fasting
To fast means to go without food. Though I’m still looking, I haven’t found any place in the Bible that commands us to fast. I was sure I’d find a reference to it in the Law of Moses, but it’s not there.
In fact, the first time the Bible mentions fasting is centuries later in Judges. There it simply mentions that the Israelite army fasts in sorrow after 18,000 soldiers die in a civil war.
No one tells them to fast. No one encourages them to fast. They just do it. It seems fasting has already become a spiritual practice by this time.
The Old Testament describes instances of people fasting thirty-one times. Yet fasting is not just an Old Testament tradition.
The New Testament mentions fasting twenty more times. Jesus fasts for forty days before he begins his ministry, but he never tells his disciples to fast, and they never do.
Even so, the practice of fasting continues with the early church in Acts, but Acts is the last book in the New Testament to mention fasting.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline. The idea of a fast has also expanded to include withholding other things in our lives besides food. The practice to give up something for Lent is a form of fasting.
The closest thing we have to a biblical command to fast comes from the lips of Jesus.
He begins teaching about fasting with the phrase, “When you fast . . .” Notice he doesn’t say if. He says when. He expects his followers will fast. Then he gives some instructions about the practice.
As you might expect, Isaiah has something to say about fasting too. Actually, it’s God’s words, which Isaiah records. It’s a warning.
This is because the people do it wrong. Yes, they go through the motions of not eating, but their hearts are elsewhere. They do as they please when they fast.
For example, they oppress their employees. And by the time their fast wraps up, they’re arguing and causing conflict. This evolves into a fistfight. Yep, fasting fisticuffs. So when these people fast, they abuse their workers, argue, and fight.
This isn’t what God wants. He wants fasting that produces humility. Beyond that, he wants fasting that battles injustice and frees the oppressed.
Our fasting—going without food—should be the occasion to share food with those who are hungry. Our fasting should also provide shelter and clothing to those in need.
When we fast in this way we’ll serve as a witness, receive our healing, and have right living lead us into peace and prosperity.
If all this seems strange or confusing, remember that it’s God’s own words, which Isaiah wrote down for us to read. So don’t breeze through this passage. Instead, carefully consider what God desires.
[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Isaiah 58-60, and today’s post is on Isaiah 58:3–4.]
Read more about the book of Isaiah in Isaiah Bible Study: Discover Jesus, Justice, and Gentiles through the Prophet’s Timeless Words available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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