How to Fast

fasting

WHAT IS FASTING?

The Hebrew word for fasting, used in the Old Testament, means 'covering the mouth'. The Greek word, used in the New Testament, means 'not to eat'.

TYPES OF FASTING

1) Normal Fast - to go without food while still taking liquids (water)

2) Extreme Fast - to go without food or water

Esther 4:16:"Go gather together all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day; I also, and my maidens, will fast likewise..."

Exodus 34:28:"And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. ..."

Ezra 10:6:"Then Ezra rose up from before the house of Elohim , and went into the chamber of Johanan, the son of Eliashib; and when he came there, he did eat no bread, nor drink water;..."

Acts 9:9:"And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink."

3)Partial Fast - restriction of diet rather than total absinence

Daniel 10:3:"I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine to my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled."

IS FASTING COMMANDED?

1) Old Testamen Law commanded only one day of fasting per year (Leviticus 16:29-31).

2) Other special fasts were commanded by kings or prophets (Jeremiah 36:9; Esther 9:21,27,31).

3) Yeshua and the New Testament

a. Yeshua , as well as the apostles, fasted (Mark 4:1-3; II Corinthians 11:27).

b. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1-18) includes teaching on fasting - 6:16 'And when you fast...' not IF, but WHEN. This presumes the practice. The passage includes instructions on proper observance.

c. Two passages (Matthew 9:14,15; Luke 5:33-35) answer criticism of Yeshua ' desciples not fasting saying "when the bridegroom shall be taken away...", that is after Yeshua ' death, would be the time to fast.

4) There is no New Testament command, but evidence of both practice in the first century and benefits for the Christian of today.

WHY FAST?

1) To seek Elohim 's and His purposes (Joel 2:12,13; Ezra 8:21; Daniel 9:3).

2) As an act of repentance (Israel in Nehemiah 9:1,2; Ninevah in Jonah 3:5-10; Paul in Acts 9:9).

3) To avert Elohim 's wrath and/or seek Elohim 's mercy (Ahab in I Kings 21:27-29; David in II Samuel 12:16-22; Jehoshaphat in II Chronicles 20:2,3).

4) In preparation and/or setting apart for ministry (Acts 13:2,3; 14:23).

5) In intercession for others (Ezra 10:6).

6) For healing (Psalm 35:13).

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FAST?

1) No command for the Messianic Jew.

2) Fasting should always be PURPOSE and for SPIRITUAL reasons.

3) Paul fasted often (II Corinthians 11:27), however, Elohim is more concerned with the inner attitudes than with the frequency. In Luke 18:12-14 the boastful Pharisee professed weekly fasting but was not justified.

HOW LONG SHOULD I FAST?

1) Most often, Scriptural fasts were 1 day long.

2) Some fasts ranged from 3 days (Esther 4:16) to 7 days (I Corinthians 10:12), up to 40 days (Exodus 34:28; Matthew 4:12).

3) The key is the spiritual benefit and guidance of the Lord.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FASTING:

1) Be certain of your purpose - wrong motives will not be honored by Elohim (Zechariah 7:5; Isaiah 58:3). Fast unto Elohim and not unto men (Matthew 6:16-18).

2) Things to include in times of fasting:

Nehemiah 9:3: Reading the Word, Confession and Worship

Luke 2:37: Service to Elohim and Prayer

Acts 13:2: Ministering to the Lord, Worship and Prayer

Deuteronomy 9:3 Prayer and Supplication

Pastor Yosef Ben Marques © 2013

Daily Torah - Bible Verses

How do we apply scripture to real life as Messianic Jews - Nazarene?

Our sole purpose in life is to love and glorify Elohim, read the Torah everyday and follow all it's commandments through the Hebrew roots of our faith

We comply with what our Lord Yeshua said in Matthew 28:20 "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" and only then you could be "persuaded in your own mind."

Therefore, "Let no man therefore judge you in food, or in drink, or in respect of an holiday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days" (Col 2:16)

In these pages you will find how you and us as Messianic Jews- Nazarene following the whole Torah applying it to real life and live a successful and meaningful existence as observants of Torah, answering all our questions through it and through Yeshua the Messiah.

Why we use Hebrew names here

Messianic Jews - Nazarene love Elohim and use the original names of the Tanakh - Hebrew Bible in their daily prayers and in their congregations. The words "Jesus" and "Jehova" are not the original names that appear in the Tanakh - Hebrew Bible or the Greek New Testament. They are transliterations that all have use for so many centuries that almost become true. The real names are Yeshua and Elohim. Read More

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We, Nazarene - Messianic Jews, are committed Jews who love Elohim, read the Torah everyday, follow all it's commandments: the Law of Moses (without the sacrificial laws), embracing Shabbat. Biblical Festivals and the Commandments of our Savior Yeshua Hamashiach as a guideline for successful living..
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