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Ask The Pastor
Date: January 18, 2000
Hi Eunice,
Your question was: "What is a Daniel fast? How long does it
last?"
To help answer your question we need some background. Daniel
was among the Jewish captives taken to Babylon. He was
selected, along with Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, to receive
special training to serve in the king's court. This training would be a
period of three years. It would include education in the literature and
language of the Chaldeans. In addition the youths would be fed only the
best of food for the purpose of their health.
Daniel 1:8 says, "But Daniel made up his mind that he would not
defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he
drank; so he sought permission from, the commander of the officials that
he might not defile himself." Daniel asked permission for he and his
companions to be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink for a
period of ten days. If their health showed any lack, then they could be
dealt with accordingly.
This was not an issue of fasting but rather of 'kosher.' In the Jewish
tradition the peoples were not to eat gentile foods or drink their wine.
This was called 'defiled' food since it possibly related to idolatry. This
is what Paul was dealing with in Romans 14:2, when he said, "One person has
faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables
only." The early Church had a great many Jewish peoples who struggled over
the issue of eating kosher.
Now for the Daniel fast - What is called a Daniel fast today is
usually an issue of not eating solid foods. The individual subsists
on drinking juices for a period of time. Folk consider this a way of
cleansing their system. In this case it is as much a health issue as
anything else. As for how long a Daniel fast should last, I would be up to
the individual. With Daniel and his companions, it began with ten days. It
extended itself far beyond that. Over time Daniel was able to return to
kosher foods.
As for the Lord keeping Daniel healthy, this would again have
related to Daniel's desire not to defile himself with foods not
permitted under the Law of Moses.
This is why it is important to understand what Daniel was doing.
What is called a Daniel fast today is something entirely different.
To drink juices for the purpose of cleansing your system may be a
good thing to do. I would certainly be cautious in making a Daniel
fast into a spiritual saga.
Finally, I don't mean this as a discouragement, but, rather, simply
to give you understanding. There are materials available on what is
called a Daniel fast. I don't have anything to recommend off hand.
Hope this helps,
Be in peace,
Bro. Buddy Martin
[Editor's note: See also these "Ask the Pastor" topics on the Daniel fast:
- "Ask the Pastor" - What is a Daniel fast? (#2)
- "Ask the Pastor" - Daniel Fast
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