Old Testament Fasting: Winning the Battle
Intermittent fasting is a current trend for health and weight loss, but what do you know about Christian fasting, which has existed for thousands of years? Biblical fasting is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments and includes complete fasts and partial fasts.
This post will discuss some Old Testament fasting examples found in the Bible related to warfare and battle.
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Are You in a Spiritual Battle Right Now?
You can gain physical health benefits from various types of fasting, including the Daniel Fast, but the primary motive is spiritual. The Bible shows us that fasting can enhance our prayer life and teach us how to tangibly separate from the world and our flesh, draw closer to God and strengthen our spirit.
But what about those times we need both spiritual and physical solutions to our problems? You might be facing strife in family relationships, difficulties at work, or overwhelming personal stress. In all of these scenarios, you need to see a breakthrough and answer to prayer.
Fasting is spiritual dynamite when we need a breakthrough. When you're fighting a spiritual battle, you need to take up spiritual weapons. As you do, the answer to prayer might be:
Circumstances shift
You get a new mindset and fresh vision
You receive God-given insight and strategy on moving forward
When you're in a battle, whether it's purely spiritual or has a physical component, you're probably eager to see, touch, and feel a breakthrough.
Just remember: stay open-minded because God's solutions, strategies, and answers may be different than what we expected!
Consider what the Apostle Paul said about our battles:
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
What was Fasting in the Bible?
The Hebrew translation of the word fast is tsuwm or tsoom, which literally means "to cover the mouth." It means to abstain from food. This term for fast or fasting is mentioned over 20 times in the Old Testament.
In the Bible, we see fasting accompanying mourning, repentance, and combined with prayer as people sought the Lord.
Fasting is mentioned in the New Testament too. Jesus fasted forty days before beginning His ministry, and His disciples fasted in the book of Acts. Jesus also gave specific instruction in Matthew 6:16-18 about conducting yourself "when you fast."
Fasting is an often underutilized but powerful tool for us as believers.
Fasting in the Old Testament
The Old Testament mentions fasting on several occasions. This post is specifically about those instances of biblical fasting that are related to battle or fighting off enemies. Below, you can read more about:
The Israelites fast as they confronted the tribe of Benjamin
King Jehoshaphat's fast before battle
Nehemiah's fasting and prayer
Fasting in the Book of Judges
"They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord." (Judges 20:26)
One of the earliest mentions of fasting in the Bible occurs during a battle in the book of Judges. In this story, God gives both strategy and victory to the Israelite army after seeking Him in prayer and fasting.
The backstory to this confrontation is tragic. A heinous murder had taken place, and as a result, the sons of Israel demanded justice and united against the tribe of Benjamin.
On the first day, the Israelites suffered tragic losses on the battlefield. They turned to the Lord and wept until evening, inquiring of God whether they should continue this fight.
The Lord told them to go, and they obeyed, but the next day they were again cut down in battle.
The Israelites went up to Bethel to the ark of the covenant, where they fasted and presented offerings to the Lord as they continued to pray and inquire if they should continue.
The Lord confirmed, "Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands." (Judges 20:28). The Israelites set up an ambush and won a decisive victory on the third day.
Key Takeaway:
Whatever battles you face in life, continue to seek the Lord every step of the way. Don't quit too soon or fear a situation is too bleak. As you seek the Lord in prayer and fasting, He will give you assurance, strategy, and strength to continue to victory.
Fasting in the Book of Chronicles
"Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah." (2 Chronicles 20:3)
The Old Testament records numerous battles and frequently reminds us of an important principle: we don't triumph in battle because of human strength, but because the Lord is with us.
Our modern battles might be primarily spiritual and mental, but we still need the Lord's help and guidance in our reactions, mindsets, and responses.
In 2 Chronicles, King Jehoshaphat saw a vast enemy army approaching. Although he was afraid, he called the entire nation to unite in prayer and fasting. (2 Chr 20:3)
All the people, including infants, wives, and children, stood before the Lord to petition His help for the battle ahead, and He responded with clear direction and encouragement that day.
King Jehoshaphat led the assembly in seeking God first. He reminded them: "put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. . ." (2 Chr 20:20)
The king then placed the worshipers, who sang and praised the Lord in holy attire, before the army. With God's leading, they experienced great victory that day.
Key Takeaway:
Are you reaching for worship, prayer, and fasting FIRST when you encounter difficulties? Daniel took this approach, and so did King Jehoshaphat. God will strengthen you and give you insight and strategy; only keep Him first in all you do. "Do not fear or be dismayed by this great multitude, for this battle is not yours but God's." (2 Chr 20:15)
Fasting in the Book of Nehemiah
"When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." (Nehemiah 1:4)
Sometimes you have to build and battle at the same time. Have you ever experienced that kind of season, with simultaneous, urgent demands? Unfortunately, we don't always have the luxury of choosing only one thing to focus on. Often, we are fasting while the demands of life still scream for our attention.
The story of Nehemiah is great encouragement in these times.
Nehemiah was serving King Artaxerxes when he heard about the state of Jerusalem: the walls were broken down and the gates burned with fire. In this ancient context, the walls and gates of a city were critical for protection. Therefore, the holy city of Jerusalem and all its people were exposed and vulnerable.
Nehemiah was deeply grieved and mourned, fasted, and prayed for days.
Nehemiah led the team that rebuilt the wall. The physical labor and logistical coordination were hard enough, but Nehemiah also fought off external threats from enemies and dealt with internal conflict among the Jews. We see this humble leader repeatedly respond to stressful situations by praying and seeking God for wisdom and strength (see Neh 1:4, 2:4, 6:9)
He strategically placed families, coordinated schedules, and led them to work with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other.
Key Takeaway:
When you fast, you may encounter external and internal conflict. You may have to engage in physical work and spiritual warfare at the same time. But no matter what, continue to seek God in prayer and press forward.
10 Bible Verses About Fasting in the Old Testament
Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 34:28)
They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. (Judges 20:26)
When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the Lord. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, "We have sinned against the Lord." (1 Samuel 7:6)
Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. (2 Chronicles 20:30)
There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. (Ezra 8:21)
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 1:4)
Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish. (Esther 4:16)
Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. (Psalms 35:13)
Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord. (Joel 1:14)
The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. (Jonah 3:5)
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