Nougat 11

Hi siblings

Have you ever wondered how some things came in vogue? Particularly biblical actions or concepts. So, one day, we scarcely know a text, and shortly thereafter, it’s almost a fad. Remember *The Prayer of Jabez* – some of us probably don’t know where it’s found, but someone wrote a book … Most of us who are aware of biblical fasts have heard of the Daniel Fast. Have you ever wondered about its origins? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

Daniel 1:12-13 ASV

[12] Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

[13] Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king’s dainties; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

A Fast or Test

When we hear of the Daniel Fast, the above-mentioned menu is often cited. However, the duration is taken from Daniel 10:3, which outlines the actual specifications of his fast:

No (pleasant) Bread

No Wine

No Meat

No Lotions (possibly baths).

For that fast in Daniel 10, his purpose was to get an answer from God. We could conclude, therefore, that fasting involves avoidance of natural dietary pleasures in exchange for great(er) spiritual gains.

Should one decide to stick to pulses, i.e., legumes and water, that is fine. I propose that though it may be a Fast for us, it isn’t The Daniel Fast.

Perhaps, however, I’m getting ahead of myself. Some of us might still be attempting to determine what a ‘spiritual’ Fast is. Lifeinourcorner.com suggests that a biblical fast is a season of abstinence from food in search of spiritual growth. Citing Psalm 35:13, they further suggest that fasting involves ‘humbling ourselves before the Lord, and crucifying our flesh, and presenting it as a living sacrifice before the Lord.’ (see A Guide to Biblical Fasting – Life in Our Corner). From these definitions, we see the same pattern – spiritual or biblical fasting involves humanity forfeiting something and spending time with God.

Of course, the definition shifts somewhat in Isaiah 58, but we will explore those possibilities, perhaps in another series. While the definitions others provide might vary, I’ve not heard of fasting involving a test to demonstrate that one’s eating habit is healthier than others. Some might argue that Y’shua/Jesus was tested during His 40-day wilderness season, so it’s similar. I propose that what Daniel and his companions faced in our Nougat was different. Especially in light of the belief that, based on Y’shua’s practice, a fast is for a fixed period not surpassing 40 days.

As we might recall, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were in the process of being acculturized after enforced migration to Babylon. They (especially Daniel) determined to remain true to their heritage and faith by keeping their names and observing YHWH’s commands. This included putting out of the rich foods of Babylon. As simple as their decision sounded, it was not easily executed, as they needed to convince the chief eunuch’s steward that no harm would befall them. (One could say they were one of the first folk on whom scientific testing was done ).

My argument, therefore, is that we could say that these young men were proposing to live a fasted lifestyle, as they hoped the test would be the precursor to their ability to dedicate themselves to God. Perhaps they were even Nazarites (see Numbers 6 – which outlines how to take the vows for an ascetic lifestyle, no grapes, wine, or razors). But we are not told this explicitly. What we perceive is that this is a test to set the tone for their life and time in Babylon, which was expected to exceed 40 days.

If that was the case, do we see their test as a fast, unto God … or a fasted lifestyle?

Is any of us personally called to live a fasted lifestyle today? If yes, please share with me/us.

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May all we seek be found in Christ