This third article, on the subject of the different kind of fasts; they are: 1) The Absolute Fast, 2) The Partial Fast, and 3) The Normal Fast. The type of these “fasts” can be seen in the words by which they are identified, by how they are described. the key words are: 1) Absolute, 2) Partial, and 3) Normal. Lets get our “thinking caps,” on about this question: what type of “fasting” did Jesus do as recorded by Matthew. The text reads, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred” (Matt. 4:1-20). Did you note that there is nothing to identify what kind of “fasting” Jesus did and this is also true of the other “fasts.”
With the above set in our minds, let us get to the third of the “fasts,” identified by “The words “The Normal Fast”. One would except to read more of this type in the scriptures than the other two “Fasts.” Here are a few of them. First, 2 Samuel 12:16-20, which reads: “David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted (the Hebrew word: tsoom or tsome), and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread (Notice here the words, “they set bread before him.” The “fast” ended. The word “bread” may be a synecdoche, where the part is put the whole’, a complete meal.), before him, and he did eat.” Nothing is said about not drinking water, or otherwise. This “fasting” would fall under the words, “The Normal Fast.” Here we will note the Hebrew word “tsoom or tsome” which means: “to cover over (the mouth), that is, to fast” (Strong).
Second, let us read the following: “Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God? (Joel 1:14-16). Notice the words, “Is not the meat cut off before our eyes.” Here too is the Hebrew word “tsome” is used in the text and still means “to fast.” This also would be “The Normal Fast.” This brings us to Jesus and his “fast.”
Mathew recorded the event, so: “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit (Allow me to point out the word “Spirit,” though it is capitalized, this is only the work of the translator of the King James Version. However, when looking at Luke chapter four, the word: Holy Spirit appears; therefore, the conclusion could rightly be perceived that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit. Yet, this is something that one should study.) into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.” Matt. 4:1-2)
For the sake of honesty, and we must always be so, I call attention to the fact that J. W. McGarvey (A Bible scholar known round the earth in his day.) argued that Jesus’ temptation fast was an example of a super-natural fast.” McGarvey played on the words, “afterward he was hungry.” Of course, would you not be “hungry” if had you fasted for forty days and nights? Yes, of course, you would and so would I; and so did Jesus!
We are now set for the next article: “DID JESUS HAVE SUPERNATURAL HELP IN FASTING.” My objection to McGarvey is that, if Jesus was aided by the Holy Spirit to endure the fast, what about the rest of us? Even in the time of miracles, between now and next article, study Matthew and Luke’s account of Jesus’ temptation. Was it then, and is it now, impossible to go without food, without food and water, without water for forty days and forty nights!
This will be the subject of the next article on the fasts!
— Frank R. Williams