--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Just as ceremonial fasting was a…" description: "\"“Just as ceremonial fasting was a legitimate means for getting God's attention (Mt 6:16-18; Ac 13:2-3; 14:23), the casting of lots was a legitimate mea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f23/michael-ben-zehabe-10139_fasting_just-as-ceremonial-fasting-was-a-legitim_2717083.jpg" --- # Just as ceremonial fasting was a legitimate means for… ![“Just as ceremonial fasting was a legitimate means for getting God's attention (Mt 6:16-18; Ac 13:2-3; 14:23), the casting of lots was a legitimate means for inviting God to intercede on a matter. (Pr 18:18) It was not expected that God should intervene every time (1Sam 28:6), but the ceremonial…” quote by Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f23/michael-ben-zehabe-10139_fasting_just-as-ceremonial-fasting-was-a-legitim_2717083.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f23/michael-ben-zehabe-10139_fasting_just-as-ceremonial-fasting-was-a-legitim_2717083.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f23/michael-ben-zehabe-10139_fasting_just-as-ceremonial-fasting-was-a-legitim_2717083.jpg) > ““Just as ceremonial fasting was a legitimate means for getting God's attention (Mt 6:16-18; Ac 13:2-3; 14:23), the casting of lots was a legitimate means for inviting God to intercede on a matter. (Pr 18:18) It was not expected that God should intervene every time (1Sam 28:6), but the ceremonial casting of lots was an invitation for God to participate in the final decision.”” [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rituals like fasting and casting lots seek divine guidance, but outcomes aren't guaranteed. **In simple terms:** Rituals ask for God's help, not promises. Key Takeaway Use rituals wisely, accept uncertainty. Themes faith ritual uncertainty Mood reflective spiritual Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - personal prayer - decision making - spiritual practice - community guidance Key Concepts theology divine will Questions to Reflect On - Do rituals empower or distract from responsibility? - How to balance faith with practical action? A Different Perspective Rituals can become superstitious if misapplied. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fasting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fasting/) [Homeschool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homeschool/) [Intercession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intercession/) [Jonah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jonah/) [Prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prayer/) [Suicide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suicide/) ## Related quotes > [God enters the world through those of us who are willing to let God participate fully in our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-mairs/god-enters-the-world-through-those-of-us-who-are-willing-to-let-god/) [Nancy Mairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-mairs/) > [“if God only interceded with those who deserve it, God would not intercede for any of us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aric-clark/if-god-only-interceded-with-those-who-deserve-it-god-would-not/) [Aric Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aric-clark/) > [“And God does have a personality. He can't hide from us. His personality shines through every Hebrew letter, on every page. Sometimes we forget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/and-god-does-have-a-personality-he-can-t-hide-from-us-his-personality/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“For those who think religious people live in a constant state of fear and quaking, compare Ps 111:10 to Ps 112:7. There, you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/for-those-who-think-religious-people-live-in-a-constant-state-of-fear/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“The book of Jonah becomes an embarrassing and public reading of your family business.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/the-book-of-jonah-becomes-an-embarrassing-and-public-reading-of-your/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“The nature of a letter can also be revealed within its numeric value. All letters and numbers behave in a certain but recognizable way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/the-nature-of-a-letter-can-also-be-revealed-within-its-numeric-value/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“This is a simple study. Yet, you can use this book to see deeper into the personality of God. I find it heartwarming that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/this-is-a-simple-study-yet-you-can-use-this-book-to-see-deeper-into/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“At Ge 1:1 God used a matrix of sevens: (1) Seven words. (2) 28 letters (28 ÷ 4 = 7). (3) First three words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/at-ge-1-1-god-used-a-matrix-of-sevens-1-seven-words-2-28-letters-28-4/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“Jonah can't see how Assyria could serve any useful purpose. How could this commission better Israel? Jonah might even fear that God will reverse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/jonah-can-t-see-how-assyria-could-serve-any-useful-purpose-how-could/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“We should expect nothing less from the language that was originally given by God, to His human family. Hebrew was the method that God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/we-should-expect-nothing-less-from-the-language-that-was-originally/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“Adam was told to name the animals. Adam studied each kind and gave them a name based on his observations. Every animal “kind” has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/adam-was-told-to-name-the-animals-adam-studied-each-kind-and-gave/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“There is a payoff for examining the divine author's literary style. It will tell you something about Him. Whereas, Jonah's actions are extensively described…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/there-is-a-payoff-for-examining-the-divine-author-s-literary-style-it/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“Not only does every Hebrew word have its own definition, but every Hebrew letter, within the word, has its own meaning. God placed before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/not-only-does-every-hebrew-word-have-its-own-definition-but-every/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“About 4,400 years ago 8 people stepped off Noah’s ark. According to the United Nations Population Growth Statistics, the world’s population grows at about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/about-4-400-years-ago-8-people-stepped-off-noah-s-ark-according-to/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“The Bible frequently uses symmetries and inversions. By such comparisons (parallels and contrasts) the unique aspects of reality begin to emerge. Comparing two objects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/the-bible-frequently-uses-symmetries-and-inversions-by-such/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) ## More by Michael Ben Zehabe > [“God forces us to quantify our religious tenants by measuring them against the family problems they solve. If your religious beliefs aren't solving family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/god-forces-us-to-quantify-our-religious-tenants-by-measuring-them/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“Would you marry you? Be the right person before seeking the right person. Solomon's bride is carefully chosen for the good of his family,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/would-you-marry-you-be-the-right-person-before-seeking-the-right/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“Most of us acquire and shed fractions of narcissistic traits throughout our lives. The teachings of Jesus help us shed narcissistic traits. 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By such comparisons (parallels and contrasts) the unique aspects of reality begin to emerge. Comparing two objects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/the-bible-frequently-uses-symmetries-and-inversions-by-such/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“All Abraham's sons were taught that God would progressively reveal Himself. God's wholeness has yet to be realized. There will always be gaps in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/all-abraham-s-sons-were-taught-that-god-would-progressively-reveal/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“Like your marriage, everything in the universe is trying to find its orbit. In the midst of this constant readjustment, both partners should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/like-your-marriage-everything-in-the-universe-is-trying-to-find-its/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“About 4,400 years ago 8 people stepped off Noah’s ark. According to the United Nations Population Growth Statistics, the world’s population grows at about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/about-4-400-years-ago-8-people-stepped-off-noah-s-ark-according-to/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“Members of the flock who demand accountability from sick leaders are quietly pushed out the back door. Mother-Judah had become that kind of leader—a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/members-of-the-flock-who-demand-accountability-from-sick-leaders-are/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“Regardless of our assessment of Elimelech, Naomi lost her husband. On the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, loss of a spouse is the worst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/regardless-of-our-assessment-of-elimelech-naomi-lost-her-husband-on/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“Not only does every Hebrew word have its own definition, but every Hebrew letter, within the word, has its own meaning. God placed before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/not-only-does-every-hebrew-word-have-its-own-definition-but-every/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“There is a payoff for examining the divine author's literary style. It will tell you something about Him. Whereas, Jonah's actions are extensively described…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/there-is-a-payoff-for-examining-the-divine-author-s-literary-style-it/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“It sickens me to admit this, but the divorce rate is the same for religious couples as it is for non-religious couples. Is it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/it-sickens-me-to-admit-this-but-the-divorce-rate-is-the-same-for/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) > [“Adam was told to name the animals. Adam studied each kind and gave them a name based on his observations. Every animal “kind” has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-zehabe/adam-was-told-to-name-the-animals-adam-studied-each-kind-and-gave/) [Michael Ben Zehabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) [Explore all 67 Michael Ben Zehabe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ben-zehabe/) ## More Fasting quotes > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [The man of wisdom is devoid of ego even though he may appear to use it. His vacant or fasting mind is neither doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramesh-s-balsekar/the-man-of-wisdom-is-devoid-of-ego-even-though-he-may-appear-to-use/) [Ramesh S Balsekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramesh-s-balsekar/) > [How much more of the mosque, of prayer and fasting? Better go drunk and begging round the taverns. Khayyam, drink wine, for soon this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-khayy-m/how-much-more-of-the-mosque-of-prayer-and-fasting-better-go-drunk-and/) [Omar Khayyam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-khayy-m/) > [When the stomach is full, it is easy to talk of fasting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/when-the-stomach-is-full-it-is-easy-to-talk-of-fasting/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [Fasting is not bodily hunger but bodily elevation and purity. It is not a body that hungers and longs for food, but a body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-shenouda-iii-of-alexandria/fasting-is-not-bodily-hunger-but-bodily-elevation-and-purity-it-is/) [Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-shenouda-iii-of-alexandria/) > [Fasting is truly a secret source of power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jentezen-franklin/fasting-is-truly-a-secret-source-of-power/) [Jentezen Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jentezen-franklin/) > [Surfeits kill more than fasting does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-osborne/surfeits-kill-more-than-fasting-does/) [Dorothy Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-osborne/) > [Good Friday. Way of the Cross. Fasting and abstinence. Examine conscience. Have a really blessed day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/good-friday-way-of-the-cross-fasting-and-abstinence-examine/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I go by my own body type when it comes to fasting, which means that I would not follow some general advice or rule…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riya-sen/i-go-by-my-own-body-type-when-it-comes-to-fasting-which-means-that-i/) [Riya Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riya-sen/) > [“Fasting clears away the thousand little things which quickly accumulate and clutter the body, mind and heart. It cuts through corrosion and renews our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bragg/fasting-clears-away-the-thousand-little-things-which-quickly/) Paul Bragg > [Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/fasting-confirms-our-utter-dependence-upon-god-by-finding-in-him-a/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Fasting makes sense if it really chips away at our security and, as a consequence, benefits someone else, if it helps us cultivate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/fasting-makes-sense-if-it-really-chips-away-at-our-security-and-as-a/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [The dogmatic and, therefore, invulnerable core in Islam is understandably simple: acknowledgement of faith, prayer, charity and fasting. Almost everything else is open to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/the-dogmatic-and-therefore-invulnerable-core-in-islam-is/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [One of the reasons intermittent fasting can work is that it reconnects you with what hunger feels like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-mohr/one-of-the-reasons-intermittent-fasting-can-work-is-that-it/) [Chris Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-mohr/) > [“Fasting, prayer, and almsgiving build the third pillar of the eremitic rigor that helps to develop the spiritual life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelius-wencel/fasting-prayer-and-almsgiving-build-the-third-pillar-of-the-eremitic/) [Cornelius Wencel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelius-wencel/) [Browse all 367 Fasting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fasting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Just as ceremonial fasting was a legitimate means for getting God's attention (Mt 6:16-18; Ac 13:2-3; 14:23), the casting of lots was a legitimate means for inviting God to intercede on a matter. 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