10. Motive for Fasting

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Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church

Adult Sunday School

8 April 2018

Visions of Zechariah 

Zechariah 7:1-14 (KJV)

1  And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, thatthe word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth dayof the ninth month, evenin Chisleu; 2  When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regemmelech, and their men, to pray before the LORD, 3  Andto speak unto the priests which werein the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years? 4  Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying, 5  Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, evento me? 6  And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? 7  Should yenot hearthe words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when meninhabited the south and the plain? 8  And the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah, saying, 9  Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: 10  And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. 11  But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. 12  Yea, they made their hearts asan adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. 13  Therefore it is come to pass, thatas he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: 14  But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.

  • THE MOTIVE FOR FASTING (1) 

Matthew 6:16-18 (KJV) 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 

In Zechariah 7, it was two years (4th year of Darius’ reign) after the coronation of Joshua the high priest and the eight night visions concerning the future of Israel. Chisleu corresponds to the month of December. The four messages given to Zechariah covering chapter 7 and 8 were in anticipation to a question on fasting posed by a delegation sent to the house of God (v3-4). The name “Sherezer” is a Babylonian name, meaning “protect the king.” And “Regemmelech” is a Hebrew name which means “king’s friend.” 

The Jews had instituted a fast in the fifth month, soon after arriving in Babylon during the captivity, to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. The question was this,“Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself (fasting), as I have done these so many years?” The Lord’s answer was a rebuke that they observed the fast in the fifth and seventh month (both instituted by people, not by God) for themselves and not for God. Jesus likewise taught fasting should be secret and not a showmanship in Matthew 6:16-18, “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” 

Fasting is a laying aside of common necessity and pleasure so that more time, concentration of effort, and undivided attention may be given to prayer, worship, and the study of God’s Word. This may especially apply during some time of special need or a crisis situation (Acts 14:23). The chief interest is the worship of God Himself, and this, Israel had neglected. Israel’s fasting was more a ritualistic conformity for themselves, a mere form of religiosity (v 6). 

Is there biblical warrant for fasting in this present age? Help me, Lord, to devote time to examine my walk with You. 

  • THE MOTIVE F OR FASTING (2) 

Fasting is an exercise of self- humiliation, not for self-interest, but for God’s glory; not for legalistic asceticism, but an act of loving service to render the body more susceptible to the higher interests of the soul in the worship of God. Such self-humiliation would have been highly profitable and would be according to the teachings in the New Testament: 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 

The missionary to China, Hudson Taylor, observed this with regard to fasting, “In Shansi I found Chinese Christians who were accustomed to spend time in fasting and prayer. They recognized that this fasting, which so many dislike, which requires faith in God, since it makes one feel weak and poorly, is really a divinely appointed means of grace. Perhaps the greatest hindrance to our work is our own imagined strength; and in fasting we learn what poor, weak creatures we are- dependent on a meal of meat for the little strength which we are so apt to lean upon.” 

Fasting reminds us that we are sustained by “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4). 

Fasting in not an end in itself. It is a means by which we can worship the Lord and submit ourselves in humility to Him. We do not make God love us more than He already does if we fast, or if we fast longer. Fasting invites God into the problem we may be facing in our walk with Him. Then in the strength of God, victory is possible. 

The best of all medicines is resting and fasting. (Benjamin Franklin) Teach me, Lord, to fast in a way that is pleasing to You. 

  • A PURE HEART 

These are the words of the Lord to Zechariah which were to be rehearsed in the ears of Israel, Zech 7:9-10: “Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” 

The words of Howard A. Walter in the hymn “I Would Be True” serve a good reminder to us to consider our ways before the Lord. 

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare. 

I would be friend of all—the foe, the friendless;
I would be giving, and forget the gift;
I would be humble, for I know my weakness;
I would look up, and laugh, and love and lift.
I would look up, and laugh, and love and lift.
I would be faithful through each passing moment;
I would be constantly in touch with God;
I would be strong to follow where He leads me;
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod;
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod. 

The pure in heart sees God. He sees the perfection of God in the land of the living. He dares to be true and sincere. He dares to care for the uncaring and dares to love the unlovable. 

Dare to be true, nothing can ever need a lie. Give me, Lord, a pure heart. 

  • THE BLESSED HOPE 

Titus 2:11-15 (KJV) 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 
12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

The blessed hope of a Christian is the hope of eternal life (Tit 1:2, 3:7) in the light of the Second Coming of Christ. 

Christ’s return is a blessed hope to the Christian because it is firstly a salvific hope. The grace of God is the unmerited favour of God. It comes to rescue man from the greatest possible evil, namely the curse of God upon sin which is death, and to bestow upon him the greatest benefit, namely, the blessing of God for soul and body throughout all eternity. Male or female, rich or poor, all are guilty before God and from them all God gathers His people. Aged men, aged women, young women, young men, and even slaves should live consecrated lives, for the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to men of all these various groups and classes. Grace will not bypass the aged because they are too old, nor women because they are women, nor slaves because they are merely slaves. It dawns upon all, regardless of age, sex, or social standing. 

It is a sanctifying hope (Titus 2:12). Christians are to separate themselves from the ungodly influences of the world. We are to live godly lives by our (1) attitude, with the exercise of self-control and temperance (2) conduct, with honesty and integrity (3) affection and devotion to God. By the teaching of the grace of God, we can live victoriously to honour our Lord. 

It is an imminent and glorious hope (Titus 2:13) which is the culmination of the grace of God. Christ can come any time, we are to be vigilant and watchful. It is lastly a Christ- centered hope (Titus 2:14) based on the finished work of Christ. Let it not be named among Christians to oppress the widow and the fatherless and the stranger and the poor but showing mercy and compassion meting out justice without partiality. 

“He bids me walk in pathways strait and narrow.” Grant me, Lord, Your grace to walk in the narrow road that leads to everlasting life.

  • AN ADAMANT STONE 

11  But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. 12  Yea, they made their hearts asan adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. 13  Therefore it is come to pass, thatas he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: 14  But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.

Deuteronomy 8:11-20 (KJV) 11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: 12  Lest whenthou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; 13  Andwhenthy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; 14  Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; 15  Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein werefiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there wasno water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; 16  Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; 17  And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of minehand hath gotten me this wealth. 18  But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it ishe that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it isthis day. 19  And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. 20  As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.

The stubbornness and hardness in the heart of God’s people was likened to an “adamant stone” (v 12). It describes a refusal to repent. The hardness of the stone or flint is the emphasis here. For the people refused (v 11) to obey the law of God. The intensity of their refusal is denoted in the intensive stem of the Hebrew verb.“Pulled away the shoulder” is a pictorial description of their backslidden state, insisting on their way. “Stopped their ears” is an expression from the verb “be stubborn” or “be rebellious” which means “make dull, make insensible.” 

It is not the unbelievers that this message is directed but to God’s people, having the Word of God yet not appropriating it in their head and heart. The expression to “walk the talk” can be used to describe professing Christians who live exemplary lives. Here, Israel was neither walking right nor talking right. A sad state! 

The longsuffering of God has a limit. Israel in their stubbornness had crossed the line. We cannot repent too soon because we do not know how soon it may be too late! God is love but is also the Judge. Out of His love for His people, He had to chastise them to wake them up from their drunken state. The prophet relates the 70 years of captivity as a reminder to God’s people that He will punish if they continue in their sins. Have we been running our lives according to our own lusts? Let us repent! Have we been running our lives according to our own proud heart? Let us also repent! God has seen the rebellious heart of His people and has given the warning. Hence we are to take heed before it is too late. 

 “More holiness give me, more sorrow for sin.” Heavenly Father, grant me a heart of flesh to repent of my waywardness as You have pointed out to me from Your Word.