Introduction
Isaiah 58:1-14 ESV[1] “Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. [2] Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. [3] ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. [4] Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. [5] Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? [6] “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? [8] Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. [9] Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, [10] if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. [11] And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. [12] And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. [13] “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; [14] then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline deeply rooted in Scripture, serving as a means of aligning with God’s will, deepening intimacy with Him, and preparing for spiritual battles. From the commands of the Old Testament to the practices of Jesus, the apostles, and the early church, fasting takes on various forms, each with a unique purpose. Isaiah 58:6-14 provides a foundational understanding of a fast that pleases God—one that transforms both the individual and the community. When combined with examples from Ezekiel 3:1-17, Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1, Mark 1, Acts 8:39, and Paul’s teachings on fasting, we uncover the richness of this practice and its ongoing relevance for believers today. This exposition explores the types of fasting, their purposes, and practical applications for our lives.
The Purpose of Fasting
Fasting, as described in Isaiah 58:6-14, is not merely abstaining from food but engaging in a spiritual practice that aligns with God’s heart. God emphasizes a fast that:
- Breaks the chains of injustice and oppression.
- Feeds the hungry and shelters the homeless.
- Leads to personal and communal renewal.
This transformative focus moves fasting beyond personal discipline to a tool for spiritual growth, societal impact, and divine alignment.
Types of Fasting in Scripture
1. Compulsory Fasts
Compulsory fasts are mandated by God or religious law.
- Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-31, Leviticus 23:26-32): The only regularly commanded fast in the Mosaic Law, this fast centered on national repentance and restoration of the covenant.
2. Fasts of Necessity
- Israel in the Wilderness (Exodus 16): The Israelites faced hunger in the wilderness, learning to rely on God’s provision of manna.
- Elijah’s Fast (1 Kings 19:7-8): Elijah fasted during his 40-day journey, sustained by an angel, as God prepared him for his prophetic mission.
3. Voluntary Fasts
- Overcoming Temptation (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13): Jesus’ 40-day fast in the wilderness prepared Him for His ministry and gave Him victory over Satan.
- Seeking Intimacy (Daniel 10:2-3): Daniel’s 21-day fast for clarity and revelation exemplifies fasting as a way to draw closer to God.
4. Emergency Fasts
- Jehoshaphat’s Fast (2 Chronicles 20:3-4): Facing overwhelming enemies, Judah fasted and sought God’s help.
- Esther’s Fast (Esther 4:16): Esther and the Jews fasted for protection before she approached the king.
5. Communal or National Fasts
- Nineveh’s Fast (Jonah 3:5-9): The people of Nineveh fasted and repented to avert God’s judgment.
- Joel’s Call (Joel 2:12-15): Joel urged the nation to fast for restoration after a locust plague.
The Promises of Fasting (Isaiah 58:8-14)
Renewal: “Your light shall break forth like the dawn.”
Healing: Restoration of physical and spiritual well-being.
Guidance: “The Lord will guide you continually.”
Provision: “Satisfy your desire in scorched places.”
Restoration: “You shall raise up the foundations of many generations.”
Life Applications
- Seek God’s Purpose in Fasting: Clarify your purpose before fasting. Let your fast align with God’s will, as Isaiah 58 emphasizes.
- Combine Fasting with Action: Pair your fast with tangible acts of compassion, such as helping those in need.
- Rely on God’s Strength: Use fasting as an opportunity to depend on God. Combine fasting with prayer and Scripture to resist temptation and draw closer to Him.
- Prepare for Spiritual Breakthroughs: Approach fasting with faith that God will fulfill His promises of guidance, provision, and renewal.
- Cultivate a Lifestyle of Fasting: Make fasting a regular part of your spiritual discipline.
Conclusion
Fasting is a powerful spiritual tool that transforms individuals, communities, and nations. Whether compulsory, voluntary, or circumstantial, fasting aligns believers with God’s will, equips them for spiritual battles, and fosters deeper intimacy with Him. By practicing fasting with purpose and faith, we participate in God’s transformative work in our lives and the world around us.