The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 1301-C, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 5."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1976. All Rights Reserved.

Question

What about fasting?

Answer

Well, fasting is connected in the Bible—I’m just going to give you a biblical answer without discussing its medical benefits and all of that, which could be debated.  But what does the Bible say?  Fasting is connected in scripture with times of distress, ok?  The Jews, for example, fasted on the Day of Atonement because they were showing distress over their sin.  There were other Jewish fasts, some prescribed and some non-prescribed.  But, let me just give you a few illustrations.

1. Fasting occurred during a war.  In Judges 20:26, Israel fasted at Bethel in the war against Benjamin.

2. Secondly, fasting occurred during sickness.  When David’s infant son was sick unto death, David fasted and wept for his dying son, II Samuel 12:16.

3. Fasting was connected with penitence.  In Nehemiah 9, when the people heard the Word of God and repented of their sin—when Ezra had read them the law—it says they fasted in penitence.

4. Fourthly, fasting occurred in times of danger.  In II Chronicles 20:3, Jehoshaphat fasted when he was threatened by Edom.

5. Fifthly, fasting occurred during times of revelation.  There’s an illustration in Daniel 9 and an illustration in Exodus 34 where Daniel, on one occasion, and Moses, on another occasion, both fasted after and before receiving God’s revelation.

So, it was in times of tremendous spiritual crisis, times of great distress that fasting occurred.  You say, “Well, what was it?”  Well, sometimes it was the setting aside of certain things, not all food, but certain kinds of food.  Sometimes it was setting aside luxuriant food to eat the simple things of life.  Sometimes it was only for one or two meals a day.  Sometimes it was for one day.  We have some incidences of fasting for one night!  We have other incidences of fasting for three days; David fasted for seven days on one occasion; the longest—40 days—only two people we ever know of in history fasted 40 days (…three)—Moses, Jesus, and Dick Gregory.  But, biblically, Moses and Jesus. 

It’s amazing that [Dick Gregory] can do that, fast the way he does.  I don’t agree with the cause for which he fasts, but the discipline is astounding. 

The New Testament also speaks of fasting related to John the Baptist, Jesus, and the disciples.  The early church did it (II Corinthians 6:5) over vital issues.  Paul did it (II Corinthians 11:27).  And other than this, we have no New Testament word.  It is never commanded; it is assumed that there will be times in our lives of great distress and great anxiety and great spiritual crisis when we would set aside food to concentrate on the things of the Lord.  That’s how it’s presented biblically. 

You might also note that there are some demons, our Lord said, that come not out but by prayer and fasting, again indicating the spiritual crisis aspect.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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