What Does The Bible Say About Mourning?
Why is mourning associated with fasting? It is not! The Holy Scriptures are very clear about mourning. However, in the context of fasting, it is very definitive.
So, you will see that mourning is not just associated with fasting, but that mourning is fasting!
Yes, whenever the Bible is speaking about mourning, in the context of afflicting the soul, it means fasting.
Therefore, mourning is fasting!
Read more about the affliction of the soul here, then return to this page to continue your exploration of, why is mourning associated with fasting?
The more you understand fasting as a Christian, the more you will comprehend mourning.
For example:
Esther 4:3
“And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.”
Table of Contents – Why Is Mourning Associated With Fasting
What Is The Spiritual Meaning of Mourning?
To understand the spiritual meaning of mourning in the Bible, in the context of fasting, it’s fundamental that we are aware of the predominant literary style that the Bible uses.
Its main style is Repetition. Whether it is a Book, Chapter, or verse of the Bible, repetition prevails.
For example, in Esther 4:3, above, “great mourning among the Jews” indicates that they were indeed in distress. However, through repetition, we understand that it also means “fasting”.
Additionally, by repetition, “weeping” and “wailing”, emphasized that they were mourning. But “many lay in sackcloth and ashes” proves that they were fasting.
Thus, in Esther 4:3, the spiritual meaning of mourning is fasting! Here, the Bible was merely describing how the Jews were fasting.
Many other references in the Bible explain to us that mourning is fasting. I will look at more later in this Bible Study.
What Verses Have Mourning And Fasting?
Listen as Jesus explained that to mourn means to fast!
“… Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? [B]ut the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.”
Matthew 9:15
Again, we observe Repetition at work in Matthew 9:15. As a result, “mourn” and “fast” have identical meanings and are interchangeable.
Here is another biblical reference that shows that to mourn means to fast. In this one, the Lord is speaking to Israel through His prophet Zechariah.
He says,
“Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?”
Zechariah 7:5
Why Is Mourning Associated With Fasting?
Can you see it? The Lord said, “when ye fasted and mourned” did you “at all fast unto me?” So, to mourn is to fast and vice versa!
Above, “fasted and mourned” are not two events but one. The Lord’s usage of “did ye fast unto me” proved it. Note how He didn’t repeat “mourned”; nevertheless, we understood that He meant it!
Here is a final example that explains mourning in the context of fasting and the two are synonymous.
“And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.”
Nehemiah 1:4
What Is The Connection Between Fasting And Mourning?
What is the connection between fasting and mourning to the extent that the Bridegroom is no longer with his disciples?
The connection between the two is this. While Jesus was on Earth his disciples never fasted. He alone fasted.
However, after his ascension into Heaven, they fasted. They mourned! We often say that Jesus gave no direct commandment to His Disciples to fast.
But, he did indirectly instruct us to fast for he says “when ye fast”; therefore, he expects us to fast!
Conclusion
Thus, in the Holy Bible, whenever it speaks of mourning, (in the context of afflicting the soul), it means fasting.
Consequently, we cannot undertake a Christian Fast and don’t afflict our souls or we would not be fasting.
The Bible, through its predominant style, Repetition, sheds light on mourning meaning fasting on more than three occasions.
In closing, mourning is not just associated with fasting because mourning is fasting. The Prophets, the Psalm, and Jesus Christ attested to this meaning of mourning as fasting.
