Praise The Lord, Everyone!

The answer to this question may be more obvious than I think, but I wanted to get some feedback on:

Matthew 6:17 (NIV)
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face

Does this mean that you should anoint yourself with oil when you fast? Or is it saying just to go about your day as you normally would? The Scriptures before this tell us not to be like the hypocrites, trying to show everyone that we're fasting.

Speaking of fasting, this poses another question. I know some people who believe that you shouldn't tell people that you're fasting because of this Scripture. But, it seems that what the Lord means is that we shouldn't be trying to seek any type of special attention or recognition for fasting.

What do you all think?

I think you are right in that "putting oil on your head" was just going about the day as normal. I doubt they had deodorant in ancient days. The oil was probably scented. The New Living Bible translates it :"Put on festive clothing."

Verse 16 talks about how the hypocrites try to look pitiful when they are fasting so people will feel sorry for them. Jesus says that pity from other people is the only reward they ever get.So we are to look only for heavenly reward, not public recognition, when we fast.

I don't think that means we can't tell anyone. Just that we shouldn't tell anyone just to get their pity. When I fast I try to tell as few people as possible, just to be sure I am not seeking some kind of recognition from others.

I think putting oil on your head in that passage has more to do with freshing up a bit then bragging that you are fasting, he said dont have a downcast look like you are in mourning, so if you anoint your head with oil you have a smile on your face because you just got a fresh blessing, I think the smile was the desired effect & the oil is just an excuse to remind us to smile, if we smell good we are in a better mood sometimes.

Ardith and Slade, these are both good responses.

From the context of the scripture, I believe Jesus was saying in this passage – do not let fasting become an act of hypocrisy (as it had for some). Customarily, those who were in a period of fast would put on garments of sackcloth and sprinkle ashes upon their heads (as when they were in mourning, and the reason for the sad countenances). Other signs that a person was observing a fast were to have unwashed hands and an unanointed head.

So, I believe Jesus was saying do not flaunt the fact that you are observing a fast, since the fast is between you and Adonai. Therefore, he told them to observe their fast without the usual outward signs. He told them, instead, to do just the opposite – cleanse your face and anoint your head with oil. As was the custom of the day, this would give the appearance they were not actually fasting.

Blessings,

Chelki

Amen!

I agree with this assessment on what Jesus was trying to tell us. I love this message from Jesus because we can apply to so many areas of our life. Its always good to remember that our reward from our Father is so much better than our reward from men. He also warns that if we seek to gain our reward from men, then we will most likely lose the reward from our Father. Remembering this will help in our decision making on almost everything we do!


Thank you Father for this message, I pray that we act it out in our life. Help us to be humble and to seek after You in all we do. Amen

Thank you Kathy, Ardith, Slade, and Chelki for reflecting on this.

Praise The Lord, Ardith, Slade, Chelki and Shawn T!

Thank you for your responses. This is very enlightening.

May the Lord bless you mightily in Jesus' Name!