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Fasting and Zechariah 7
Fasting and Zechariah 7
In the law of Moses there was no specific mention of fasting. On the day of atonement they were instructed to 'afflict yourselves' (Lev. 16:29,31; 23:27,32). Based upon Psalm 35:13 and Isaiah 58:3, some understand this as 'fasting'. That could be one way of accomplishing that.
In Zechariah's day the Jewish people had developed a tradition among them of fasting in the 5th and 7th month. Why? The fifth month was the month in which the temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar nearly 70 years earlier. The fast of the seventh month commemorated the assassination of Gedaliah (see Jer. 41:1-3). Both of these events were a remembrance of acts of disobedience and rebellion against God. It was because of their 'diamond-hard hearts' that God's anger came upon them like a whirlwind (vs. 14).
So, in answer to their question about 'weeping and abstaining', Zechariah responds with several points. First, they were wrong in such fasting because such was not really directed toward God but was more 'for themselves' (cp. Vs. 6). Second, such commemorated their DISOBEDIENCE and REBELLION. IF they had been doing what God had said through the prophets, these things would not have been done.
Hence, God's reply was simply that what He wanted from them was 'true judgments and showing kindness and mercy to one another, not oppressing the helpless among them, and not devising evil (vs. 9-10). This reminds us of two other passages. "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 10:12). " He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).
Ezra 'proclaimed a fast', but the purpose was in order "that they might seek the LORD." (Ezra 8:21). Earlier, Jehoshaphat had done a similar thing in proclaiming a fast and having the people seek the LORD (2Chron. 20:3). I see in this that it was not the 'abstaining from food' in and of itself that did anything but rather the seeking of the LORD even to the point of not taking the time to eat.
The one instance recorded of Jesus fasting was the 40 days connected with his temptations. It does say that during His living with them, the disciples did NOT fast (Matt. 6:16; Mark 2:18). In those passages it does say that disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees did fast. We know nothing about the practice among John's disciples other than they did such. At least one Pharisee spoke of fasting twice a week (Luke 18:12). It is difficult to draw understanding of exactly what they did and how they did it from such meager sources. Jesus did warn about doing such to be seen of men (Matt. 6:16-17).
After his death and resurrection, there is mentioning of such among disciples (Acts 13:2-3; 14:23; 27:9). Such is not commanded but if one is disposed to do so, it would be acceptable. Such depriving oneself of food (whether completely or partially) does not in and of itself make one more religious, godly, or righteous. It might cause one to be more thankful as he contemplates God, but then it is the contemplating of God that is at work and not the fasting itself.
The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). Although this is not directly speaking of fasting, Paul advised: "Let him who eats, eat in honor of the Lord and him who abstains, let him abstain in honor of the Lord" (Rom. 14:6).
Hugh DeLong
