Our FASTING should ULTIMATELY result in JOY!
October 4
Bible Reading: Zechariah Chapters 7-9
Our FASTING should ULTIMATELY result in JOY!
Then the word of the Lord of hosts came
to me, saying, "Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'The fast of the fourth
month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth,
shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore
love truth and peace.'" (Zech 8:18-19)
In
the above verse, Jehovah God mentions four
different fasts that were held in memory of events surrounding the siege
and fall of Jerusalem. These fasts commemorated four tragic events in Israel’s history as follows:
- The siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1-2; Jer. 52:4–7)
- The breaching of the walls of Jerusalem (Jer. 39:2)
- The destruction of the temple and Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:8; Jer. 52:12, 13), and
- The murder of Gedaliah (2 Kin. 25:25; Jer. 41:1, 2)
However,
their observance of these fasts was a clear testimony of Israel’s false piety
and lack of a proper relationship with Jehovah. The nation of Israel was quick
to develop new religious traditions while the people were negligent to obey the
Word of God.
God
wants the Israelites to discontinue these empty expressions of false piety and
to replace them with demonstrations of the true joy that springs from a right
relationship with Him. The people are commanded to embrace the truth that these
fasts have been annulled, and to enjoy the peace that their removal will bring
to the individuals. When God blesses his
obedient people, these former fasts will become feasts and occasions of joy for
them!
Normally
in Scripture, fasting is a sign of humility and sorrow before the Lord. But during
the time of Zechariah, God urged His people to observe a number of their
appointed fasts as opportunities to celebrate the hope and expectation of their
coming Lord (v. 19). This prediction of mourning turned to rejoicing is alluded
to in Esther 9:30 (see also Isaiah 61:2–7; 65:18, 19; Amos 8:10).
During
the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, the people were encouraged to break their
fasting and mourning in order to rejoice before the Lord: And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the
Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to
the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when
they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat
the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is
prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the
Lord is your strength." So the Levites quieted all the people, saying,
"Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved." And all the
people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly,
because they understood the words that were declared to them. (Neh. 8:9-12)
Today
fasting is a means toward spiritual focus by concentrating on God rather than
on food and other personal needs. Fasting will be a fitting way to honor God in
the situation and ask for His help. In the future kingdom, there will be no
need for fasting. The events of the past will be forgotten in the glory of the
worship of the Lord. Jesus came to bring us joy, not sorrow (Matt. 9:14–17).
Let
us understand that God will turn our fasting into feasting and our mourning
into joy when we return to God in repentance. There will be a reason for us to rejoice when God will restore
our relationship with Him, and revive us to wholeheartedly obey God and
do His will.
"Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger toward us to cease. Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?" (Psalms 85:4-6)
