Nehemiah's Fast
This was the reason the Israelites gathered with fasting, wearing sackcloth, and putting dust on their heads.
What is repentance for their sins and the sins of their ancestors?
This is the heart posture God desires in fasting, rather than outward religious performance.
What is humility?
In Gospel of Matthew 6, Jesus says when you fast, do not look like this to show others you are fasting.
What is gloomy or disfigured?
Esther called for a fast because approaching the king without being summoned could result in this punishment.
What is death?
In Gospel of Matthew 4, Jesus fasted forty days in the wilderness before beginning this.
What is His public ministry?
Daniel chose not to eat the king’s rich food and wine to avoid this.
What is defiling himself with food that violated God’s law?
The people separated themselves from foreigners in order to do this during the fast.
What is confess their sins and renew their commitment to God?
In Gospel of Matthew 6, Jesus teaches that fasting should be done in this way instead of to be seen by others.
What is in secret?
Instead of neglecting yourself outwardly, Jesus instructed believers to do this while fasting.
What is anoint your head and wash your face?
The fast was in response to this decree that threatened all the Jews in the Persian Empire.
What is the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate the Jews?
Fasting strengthens believers to resist this, as modeled by Jesus in the wilderness.
What is temptation?
Daniel requested a diet of vegetables and water for himself and these three friends.
Who are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego)?
They fasted after hearing and understanding this read publicly for hours.
What is the Book of the Law of the Lord?
The early church fasted before doing this important act in Acts of the Apostles 13.
What is sending out Paul and Barnabas for ministry?
According to Book of Joel 2, fasting should be accompanied by this internal action, not just tearing garments.
What is rending your heart?
Esther asked the Jews in this city to fast for her for three days and nights.
What is Susa?
In Acts of the Apostles 13, the church fasted before making this important decision.
What is sending out leaders for ministry?
By fasting and avoiding the king’s food, Daniel demonstrated this kind of spiritual quality before God.
What is obedience and faithfulness?
The fasting in Nehemiah 9 was meant to show this posture of the heart before God.
What is humility?
Fasting is often connected to this response when people become aware of sin.
What is repentance?
In Book of Isaiah 58, true fasting includes doing this for the oppressed and needy.
What is acting justly and helping those in bondage?
This was the duration of the fast Esther requested before she went to the king.
What is three days and three nights?
According to Book of Isaiah 58, true fasting leads to this outcome for those in bondage.
What is freedom and deliverance?
Later, Daniel fasted for three weeks while mourning and seeking understanding of a vision. During this time he avoided all these.
What is choice food, meat, and wine?
Through fasting and confession, the people acknowledged this about God despite their rebellion.
What is His faithfulness and mercy?
Biblically, fasting helps believers focus on this instead of physical appetite.
What is seeking God’s presence and will?
Biblical fasting replaces physical food with this spiritual practice.
What is prayer and seeking God?
Through fasting, Esther was seeking this before risking her life to speak to the king.
What is God’s favor and deliverance for her people?
Fasting demonstrates dependence on this truth found in Deuteronomy and quoted by Jesus.
What is that man does not live by bread alone but by every word of God?
Daniel’s fasted lifestyle showed devotion and dependence on God, resulting in this for him and his friends.
What is favor, wisdom, and discernment?