Fasting As Divine Imperative

(Our Sunday blogs during Lent will focus on the subject of fasting.)

The LORD's angelic messenger came back again, touched Elijah, and said, "Get up and eat, for otherwise you won't be able to make the journey." So he got up and ate and drank. That meal gave him the strength to travel forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. (First Kings 19:7-8)

This incident occurs as part of a curious scene: Elijah, the prophet of God who had just killed the prophets of Baal, was running for his life. Queen Jezebel had threatened his life following the deaths of her false prophets, and Elijah took her threat seriously.

How did God respond to Elijah's angst? By providing a meal that miraculously sustained Elijah through a forty-day fast. Some scholars believe that this may have actually been two forty-day fasts, as Elijah was later instructed to go back the way he came (see First Kings 19:15).

At Mount Horeb, Elijah received important instruction from the LORD: he was to anoint the new king of Syria (Hazael), the new king of Israel (Jehu), and the prophet (Elisha) that would succeed Elijah. Elijah also received important information concerning God's human resource management. The LORD told Elijah, "I still have left in Israel seven thousand followers who have not bowed their knees to Baal or kissed the images of him." (19:18).

What an encouragement to know that as we journey in obedience to the living God, He miraculously sustains us. Let us fast according to His imperative, expecting to receive instruction and information that will advance the kingdom of God.