“This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you.”
(Leviticus 16:29)

This particular turn of phrase is truly fascinating. It occurs throughout the Old Testament, turning up in interesting places. At first glance, it doesn’t make much sense to the Western reader of English translations.

‛ânâh nephesh

In the Hebrew, the word ‛ânâh means “to humble, afflict, be humiliated, weaken oneself.” Nephesh is the word for “soul” or “living being” used frequently in the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis as God created the living beings and eventually breathed the breath of life into the clay he formed. It resulted in a “living soul” that God named “Adam.”

Used together, these two words form a Hebrew idiom or euphemism of sorts meaning, “to fast.”

If you’ve ever explored the connection between the body and the soul, you’ll know that there are lots of fascinating questions. Can the body live apart from the soul? What is the difference between the brain and the mind? Are our memories actually stored in cells?

Regardless, however, of where the lines between the two get drawn, one thing is clear: they are connected. And nothing illustrates this more perfectly than the principles of fasting. By denying oneself in one area (in this case: food), one is actually afflicting or humbling his entire person. If you apply this phrase to the more Greek concept of the soul as the “mind, will, & emotions,” it becomes even more interesting. What, if anything, competes more with the human spirit (not to mention the Holy Spirit) for clarity in our lives than our “soul?”

A Time to Fast

Given the current economic situation, the rapidly-changing business environment, and the general uncertainty that pervades much of what is familiar in this season, it is perhaps more obvious than usual just how desperately we need to actively listen to the Source of all Wisdom.

I typically like to start out the year by setting vision, striving for clarity and focus, and re-evaulating almost everything. But since the soul can be such a cluttered place — full of plans, regrets, desires, dreams, wishes and wants — this process can prove to be difficult. This year more than ever, I really don’t want to follow the leading of my own thoughts and desires. I want God’s thoughts and desires.

I knew it was going to require some additional effort. So imagine my delight when my good friend called a fast for all those associated with the congregation he pastors. And he evidently wasn’t playing games either — he called a 21-day fast. He’s using some wisdom — giving people options regarding specifically how they intend to carry it out, breaking it up into phases (liquids only, a “Daniel” fast, etc.), and even distributing some information regarding medical risks and so forth. Nevertheless, it’s a 3-week period of “afflicting the soul.”

I don’t know about you, but my soul can use some “afflicting.” I want to demote my own thinking, reasoning, and ill-informed perspective (at least relative to the viewpoint that my Father holds). I want to weaken the grip that my dysfunctions and personal ambitions have on my present and future.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil. It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones.
(Proverbs 3:5-8 AMP)

After all, He knows what’s coming… how to be prepared… and what to do better than anyone. And He is not silent. I just tend to have too much interfering with my “reception.” I’m determined to clear the air so I can hear from Him accurately.

Care to join me?

Recently, we began talking about A Believer’s Response to Bad Economic News. There’s so much more to talk about along these lines, but today let’s focus on the question we asked:

Does what we believe have the ability to produce what we need?

The starting point for this is that we do believe that God Himself has the ability to supply what we need. This isn’t in question.

But… will He produce and supply it for us?

This can be the harder question. Again, it isn’t just “in Whom” I believe — it’s what I believe about Him that will affect the results that I get…

In the book of Ezra, there’s a moment in Israel’s history that I’ve gone back to again and again these last few months. It’s not the most popular book of the Bible for sermons, so a little background may be useful if you haven’t read it recently.

Ezra was a priest during Israel’s captivity under the Persian empire. He began to search out God’s Word and eventually went to King Artaxerxes and, with great favor upon him, requested — and got — permission and funding to go back to Jerusalem and re-establish the temple and the sacrifices.

He hit a snag, however, when he and the several hundred he recruited to make the journey to Jerusalem with him set out. They had a very dangerous road in front of them, and the trip would ultimately take several months.

In other words, he had a dream. He had discovered his God-given purpose. He had some of what he needed to succeed, but he had a major area of lack — security and protection in his case.

Here was his response:

“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a straight and right way for us, our little ones, and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to request of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy along the way, because we had told the king, The hand of our God is upon all them for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.”
(Ezra 8:21-22 AMP)

This passage strikes such a strong chord within me. Where do we turn?

Notice that he and the others needed to know how to proceed because their lives, their little ones, everything they owned, and their God-given purpose was all at stake. This wasn’t a time when a nice-sounding prayer and a religious platitude would help.

Their faith had to manifest a result. Period. End of story. We quite literally wouldn’t be reading this story if they hadn’t received their answer. The risk was real — enemies on the road, uncertainty, failure.

Are you in that kind of situation today? Does your relationship with God have to manifest what you need?

To be continued…

“I [Wisdom] walk in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation), in the midst of the paths of justice, That I may cause those who love me to inherit [true] riches and that I may fill their treasuries.” (Proverbs 8:20-21 AMP)

It just doesn’t get any plainer than Proverbs chapter 8.  The chapter begins with Wisdom (personified) calling out to any who will listen — offering her instruction, her words and her benefits to one and all.

As the chapter progresses, we gain further insight into who Wisdom really is. She was “present” with God at the moment of creation. She was “brought forth” at the beginning of His “way” before His “acts.” In other words, she emerges from the very essence of God and represents His ways.

You may remember that the children of Israel knew His acts, but Moses knew his “ways.”  God has always offered His Wisdom to those who would incline their ear — reach out for it, listen for it, intently pursue it.

Isn’t it interesting that among the very clear benefits of hearing and obeying the Wisdom of God are, “riches and honor… enduring wealth and righteousness?” (Proverbs 8:18 AMP)  For some of us, it would still seem that being righteous or having right standing with God would make it impossible to have wealth and riches (God’s words, not mine!)… and vice versa!

But acting according to Wisdom will fill your treasuries.

Obviously, pursuing Wisdom — especially as described in this chapter — requires that we pursue God and His ways as our first priority. But just as night follows day, we should expect that we experience substantive improvement in our lives as a result. It reminds me of what Jesus said:

“But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6:33 AMP)

Don’t be ashamed to expect financial increase when you are pursing God and His ways with abandonment.