February 1
Lesson 9
FEASTING AND FASTING
DEVOTIONAL READING: 2 Chronicles 7:11–18
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Daniel 1; Matthew 6; 9:9–17
DANIEL 1:5, 8–17
5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
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 children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
MATTHEW 6:16–18
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
18 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.
KEY VERSES
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
ACTS OF WORSHIP
Unit 3: Stewardship for Life
LESSONS 9–12
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Identify the difference(s) between Daniel’s refusal of certain foods and what Jesus meant when He discussed fasting.
2. Relate the biblical ideal of fasting to the life of discipline.
3. Participate in a 24- or 36-hour fast.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. Faith and Food
B. Lesson Background: Daniel
C. Lesson Background: Matthew
I. Decree by Nebuchadnezzar (DANIEL 1:5, 8–17)
A. King’s Directive (v. 5)
B. Daniel’s Decision (v. 8a)
Dietary Restrictions
C. Daniel’s Request (vv. 8b–14)
D. Test Results (vv. 15, 16)
E. God’s Rewards (v. 17)
II. Declarations by Jesus (MATTHEW 6:16–18)
A. Fasting for Display (v. 16)
Hypocritical Spirituality
B. Fasting’s Accompaniment (vv. 17, 18a)
C. Fasting’s Dividend (v. 18b)
Conclusion
A. Testing Faith
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Aramaic
Air-uh-may-ik.
Ashpenaz
Ash-pih-naz.
Azariah
Az-uh-rye-uh.
Babylon
Bab-uh-lun.
Babylonian
Bab-ih-low-nee-un.
Hananiah
Han-uh-nye-uh.
Jehoiakim
Jeh-hoy-uh-kim.
Melzar
Mel-zar.
Mishael
Mish-a-el.
Nebuchadnezzar
Neb-yuh-kud-nez-er.
Pelfrey, Lloyd M. et al. “Feasting and Fasting.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2014–2015. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood. Vol. 62. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2014. 186–187. Print.
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