In Leviticus 16:29, God told Israel: “And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you.” Let us talk a little about that phrase “afflict yourselves.” It is frequently mentioned in the Law, always in the context of the Day of Atonement.
“Afflict yourselves” before you come to worship. What does this expression – “afflict yourselves” mean? First of all, many commentaries will suggest that “afflicting yourselves” means to fast. But a study of fasting in the Old Testament suggests to me something much more important and deeper.
Fasting was Not a Requirement – Fasting, of course, means to “abstain from food” (BDB); “the condition of voluntarily abstaining from food” (DBL). The word “fast” is not found in the Law. There is one mention of “fasting” – without using the word – in Exodus 34:28 when Moses did not eat while he was on Mount Sinai.
The first mention of fasting is in Judges 20:26 in the Civil War between Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. In that passage, it is associated with burnt offerings and peace offerings but it is not commanded by God.
“Fasting” is mentioned sporadically throughout the historical books and sometimes is mentioned along with certain acts of worship: 1 Samuel 7:6 and 31:33; 2 Samuel 1:12; 12:16, 21-23; 1 Kings 21:9, 12, 27; 1 Chronicles 10:12; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Ezra 8:21, 23; Nehemiah 1:4; 9:1; Esther 4:3, 16; 9:31.
It appears that fasting increased with the passage of time. But in none of these passages is fasting commanded by God. In a few passages, like the ones from Ezra and Nehemiah and Psalm 35:13, it is used parallelto humbling the soul and associated with prayer (see also 69:10 & 109:24).
By the post-exilic age, there were five fasts, including fasting on the Day of Atonement, fasting during the celebration of Purim, and fasts associated with the destruction of Jerusalem – Zechariah 7:3; 8:19. By the first century, regular fasting was a part of normal religious living – Mark 2:18; Luke 18:12.
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While “fasting” is mentioned along with “afflicting your soul”, it is not synonymous with “afflicting the soul.” “The people showed outward evidence of wanting to do God’s will, probably by consulting priests and prophets (v. 2). They were prepared too to show their earnestness by enduring the minor inconvenience of fasting (v. 3a). What did a little abstinence matter if they could retain their basic life style of disobedient rebellion against the moral [and religious, p.h.] demands of their God? Such empty externalism reappears in every age and culture…” (EBC, commenting on Isaiah 58:3-6; in loc.).
In Jeremiah 14:10-12, God told Israel He was not going to listen, even if they did fast. The only place I have found where God clearly calls on Israel to fast is in Joel 1:14; it is associated with seeking God and in Joel 2:12, it is associated with returning to God. But even here it is likely the fasting is metaphorical for humiliating oneself before God. Take a look at verse 13 and then 15-16.
Fasting, like any external, physical action, was open to abuse when it became a means of acquiring merit, calling oneself to God’s attention, or even to put pressure on God, or as a substitute for actually humbling oneself before God!
Again, inZechariah 7:5 the self-serving fasting was condemned by the prophet but in 8:19, the prophet says that self-serving will turn into God-serving.
So, what about the expression “afflict yourselves” in Leviticus 16? What did God require of the Israelites in worship? The word “afflict” means to “Humble or inflict themselves with inner pain expressing contrition” (Wegner, Paul; NIDOTT; 3:450); “to be bowed down, afflicted, humbled, mishandled” (BDB); it can also mean “to deny oneself” (DBL).
What God required of the Israelites in worship – in order to approach His holy presence – was humility. If the basic attribute of God is holiness, let me suggest that the basic attribute God requires of man is humility. When we come to worship, we need to “fast “from self-exaltation, self-glorification, self-attestation, self-worship.
