The Fasts
The prophet Zechariah names four fasts. They are in the 4th, 5th, 7th and 10th months. Yahuah promised that these sad days would one day become happy feasts:
Thus saith YHWH of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.
Zechariah 8:19
The fast of the 7th month is the Day of Atonement. So there are three more fasts besides it. These three fasts help us remember when Babylon attacked Jerusalem and burned the house of Yah (2 Kings 25, Jeremiah 52).
The people once asked if they should keep weeping in the 5th month. Yahuah asked them a question back: “When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?” (Zechariah 7:3-5). A fast must be for Him.
What a True Fast Looks Like
A fast is more than skipping food. Yah wants us to be kind and to help people who are hurting:
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Isaiah 58:6-7
The Messiah also taught us not to fast to show off. Keep a normal face, wash up, and let your fast be between you and the Father:
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.
Matthew 6:17-18
To learn more, read about fasting and prayer in our study This is How You Should Pray.
The Fast of the Fourth Month (9th day)
The Biblical Record: On the 9th day of the 4th month, the hunger in Jerusalem was very bad. There was no bread for the people. Then the Babylonians broke through the city walls (Jeremiah 52:6-7, 2 Kings 25:3-4).
The Fast of the Fifth Month (10th day)
The Biblical Record: Scripture gives two dates for this event. 2 Kings 25:8 says Nebuzaradan came to Jerusalem on the 7th day of the 5th month. Jeremiah 52:12 says he came on the 10th day. We believe one date is when the raid began, and the other is when the temple was set on fire. So we keep the fast on the 10th.
The Fast of the Seventh Month (10th day)
This is the Day of Atonement. On this day we afflict our souls (Leviticus 23:26-32).
The Fast of the Tenth Month (10th day)
The Biblical Record: On the 10th day of the 10th month, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, came against Jerusalem with his army. He began to surround the city (2 Kings 25:1, Jeremiah 52:4).
How to Observe
– Fast from food from evening to evening. Save the food or money you would have used. After sundown, give it to someone in need (Isaiah 58).
– Read what happened on that day.
– Pray that this day will turn to joy and gladness (Zechariah 8:19).
– Pray for Israel to be brought back to the land.
– Do not show off your fast (Matthew 6:16-18).
