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The Four Minor Judahite Fasts
Posted by Lev/Christopher on November 24, 2009 at 5:01am in Festivals of Messianic Israel
http://nccg.org/minorjudahite.html
The Four Minor Judahite Fasts
"Then the word of Yahweh of hosts came to me, saying, 'Thus says Yahweh of hosts: 'The fast (tzom) of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace''" (Zech.8:18-19, NKJV).
One compulsory day of fasting is mandeted to the House of Israel in both Old and New Covenants per year, and that is Yom Kippur but the House of Judah (but not the Ten Tribes which were at this time in exile), including the House of Benjamin, is also mandated four other fast days during the year which mark:
(1) the Breach in Jerusalem's Walls (4th month);
(2) the Destruction of the Temple (5th month);
(3) the Murder of Gelaliah (7th month); and
(4) the Siege of Jerusalem (10th month)
Fasting is imposed on Yahweh's people as part of the repentance process. At Yom Kippur the whole of Israel is commanded to fast, humble themselves, and repent for the sins committed during the previous year which have not been dealt with. Fasting is the habit of criminals and sinners when they desire to obtain pardon and forgiveness from Yahweh. These four 'observances' are not (like Yom Kippur), therefore, feasts or festivals, for Yah'shua commands us not to fast during weddings and during the other moedim or appointments with Yahweh (Matt.9:15). These four fasts are therefore a part of Judah's (and Benjamin's) tribal repentance and do not apply to the ten tribes led by Ephraim who had been punished and exiled earlier for their own transgressions. The loss of the Temple and of Jerusalem was specifically a consequence of Judah's sin and the four mandated fasts a part of her repentance prior to restoration.
Those who repent and come to Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) in repentance are restored into right relationship with Yahweh the Father and this qualifies them for a place in the New Jersualem when it returns if they remain faithful and obedient. This means that those Judahites (both among the Jews and Gentiles) who repent of the transgressions of their forefathers and of their individual sins are no longer required to observe these four fasts which continue to be followed by unsaved Jews. This does not mean that these four dates cannot, and should not, be observed by Messianic Judahites - the saved of the House of Judah - as festivals of joy, gladness and cheerfulness as described by the prophet Zechariah though it is our belief that this pertains to a time when Yah'shua returns, the New Jerusalem comes down to the earth, and all the Twelve Tribes are gathered. Then all the other tribes can join with redeemed Judah in celebrating, not with fasting but with feasting.
Accordingly these four moedim are not observed at this time by NCCG/MLT though those of the House of Judah are permitted to observe them as joyous days of anticipation for the return of Yahweh's Heavenly Jerusalem and New Covenant Temple. We do encourage all the redeemed tribes to mark them in their calendar and, if Judahites are rpesent, to join them in celebration, as a token of solidarity and in anticipation of what is to come.
http://nccg.org/618Art-JudahiteFasts.html
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This page was created on 5 May 2010
Updated on 5 May 2010
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