The object of the fast which God calls upon us to keep is not to afflict the body for the sin of the soul, but to aid us in perceiving the grievous character of sin, in humbling the heart before God and receiving His pardoning grace. His command to Israel was, "Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God." Joel 2:13.

Hensigten med den faste, som Gud opfordrer os til at holde, er ikke at plage legemet for sjælens synd, men at hjælpe os til at indse syndens alvorlige karakter, til at ydmyge hjertet for Gud og til at modtage hans tilgivende nåde. Hans befaling til Israel var: »Sønderriv hjertere, ej jeres klæder, vend om til Herren jeres Gud!« (Joel 2,13).