In the steps to Pentecost (see Pentecost at Sinai (No. 115)), the advance guard would have arrived at Sinai long before the rear guard and even the main body would have left the previous camp. Moses did not fast for the full period at this time. The confusion lies in the number of ascents he made and when the forty days occurred. He went on to the mountain for the full forty days at the end of Sivan or Ramadhan. The timing is probably from the 20th of Sivan with the seven days of fire and smoke after the Elders had eaten with elohim, who was Yahovah that spoke for Yahovah of Hosts. This whole exercise was to teach us about the sacrifice and dedication required to attain the Kingdom of God. The period of the Omer count was observed in Israel. Jesus Christ and the Church also observed this period. Christ gave his own life that we might have eternal life in God. The Church prepared for and received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Now, it is a matter of fact that in this day and age, in the weakened physical and spiritual condition we are in, we cannot fast for forty days and forty nights without food or water. Nor indeed could the vast majority of people do it at the time of Christ and later. That is why during the fasts of the Omer count people never fasted for the entire period. It became a matter of each person’s spiritual dedication as to how long and how often they fasted. The practice of fasting during the day and eating at night also developed in Judah and in Ishmael. This is the basis of the comment on fasting twice a week. This practice became widespread in the Church. The Omer count of Pentecost and the fast of Moses were counterfeited by the pagans, becoming the Lenten fasts. These fasts, which were held a month earlier, were dedicated to other gods and culminated in the pagan Easter festival (see the paper The Origins of Christmas and Easter (No. 235)). People decided on what days they would fast and prepare for Pentecost, which was the harvest of the Church. This practice spread to Ishmael and the Church in Arabia. Thus, people could and did decide what part of the forty-odd days they were in fast or devotions. The Koran says that what parts of your determined days of fast are not done you must fulfil later.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Sep 2013 11:39:32 +0000
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