A Pagan Fast

“So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.” ‭‭Jonah‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭10‬ ‭‬‬

This fast was called by a pagan king as a result of Jonah declaring the city of Nineveh would be destroyed in forty days. His fast was for all people and animals. He included sackcloth and ashes wanting to be seen by God. He called for repentance, hoping God would see and hear them and not destroy Nineveh.

What can I learn from this passage about fasting?

• Even pagan Kings understand fasting.
• This fast was a food and water.
• This fast was to include people and all the animals.
• The people were sat cloth and sat in ashes.
• God took notice of their repentant hearts, and fast.
• They fasted, not knowing if God would answer them or even who God was.

Lord, if a pagan nation can take to heart a message to repent, Lord help the United States to see that where we are headed is not pleasing to You. Help us to turn our hearts back to You. If it takes a fast on a national level, Lord help it to happen from the highest ranking to our animals!