The Posture of Fasting

“And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God” (Ezra 9:5).

 Ezra was appalled at the compromise of the children of Israel. Despite God’s command, many of them had taken wives from among the Canaanites. Even the priests were guilty. When he heard the news, Ezra was grieved. He tore his clothing. He pulled hair from his head and his beard, and he fasted.

Ezra humbled himself, surrendered to God, and identified himself with the guilt of his countrymen. In prayer and fasting, Ezra stood in the gap for them.

 During the evening sacrifice, after a day without food, Ezra fell to his knees and spread out his hands to the Lord. Kneeling was an act of reverence, of subordination. As he knelt with his hands raised and spread, most likely with palms turned upward, Ezra’s posture signified submission and surrender. It was only then that Ezra began to pray. “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens…”

 Ezra was not guilty of marrying a pagan woman. He had not participated in idolatry. Yet, he humbled himself, surrendered to God, and identified himself with the guilt of his countrymen. In prayer and fasting, Ezra stood in the gap for them.

 Almost five-hundred years later, Jesus would surrender to the will of the Father. His clothing would be ripped from His body, His beard plucked from His face. He would identify with the guilt of His people, actually taking their sin upon Himself. “And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). For you and me.