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Demons, Fasting, Translation Issues
Matthew 17:19-21 “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” …this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting“
Verse 21 is missing from most bible translations. We have seen many things being tried to cast demons out.. methods called “exorcisms”. Common methods include prayers, using holy objects like water and relics, making the sign of the cross, and commanding the spirit to leave. Prayers Yes. Objects No – nowhere in Scripture have we seen this taught. The key that is left out for some reason in Bibles, includes Fasting. Click here to see previous posts about Fasting.
The question that is left, is fasting for who? We know that Yeshua fasted, and it was common practice for all Jews to fast regularly. We even read of a prophettes Anna in Luke 2:37 that “served God with fastings and prayers night and day”. The chance is very good, that those who fasted wasn’t the ones who had problems with demons. Most probably, Yeshua implied that the person who wants to get rid of the demon, should also pray and fast. One have to then also ask, what does food have to do with demons?
In Matthew 12:24 we read something interesting, “Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.””. The greek word for Beelzebub is G954 – beelzeboul, meaning lord of the flies, lord of evil spirits. There are very interesting studies about parasites (hence the flies) and unclean animals like pigs (also carriers of parasites) and how distinctly similar demons are to parasites. Studies that involve proof that parasites can cause all kinds of mental sicknesses, even suicide. Many issues we call today as mental sicknesses, were once known to be attacks from evil spirits. Attached is one such video that explains a bit about this fascinating topic, which is just a bit of “food for thought”.. pun intended 🙂
Yeshua says fasting is critical to get rid of demons. Well, it is also a proven fact that one of the best ways to get rid of parasites, is to fast. The definition of a parasite: A parasite is an organism that lives on or in another organism (the host) and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host’s expense, often harming it in the process. Isn’t it interesting how even demons, that we see as spiritual, have to have a physical host to attach too. In Matthew 8:30-32 we read the legion of demons beg Yeshua that if they have to leave the man, to go into the pigs, “So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.””
The important thing to learn here, is the verse that is removed from most translations today : Fasting is important, it does have spiritual significance.
Marriage and Divorce
Matthew 19:6-8 “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate…. He said to them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives, because of the hardness of your hearts, but from the beginning it was not so.”
From Jeremiah 2 and 3’s post on Marriage and Betrayal (click here to read more), we learn that YHWH gives Israel a divorce because of her betrayals. However, even though He also references to the laws of Moses as the divorce is valid, YHWH still calls for Israel to come back and makes it known that He wants her back! Yeshua also confirms this with sending the disciples to the 10 tribes of Israel that are seen as “lost”, Matthew 10:6, “instead, go to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel”.
Divorce was never suppose to happen, whether between man and wife, or YHWH and Israel (those who commit to His Statutes). It is a blessing if you never experience divorce. But for most of the world, hardness of hearts and failures are everywhere, and most have experienced it. But still, YHWH calls us back and He is kind and gracious, and quick to forgive. He can restore and replace the hardness with love.
Click here for more on the topic of Marriage from our previous posts in Scripture.
Key to enter the Kingdom
Matthew 19:16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
In the next verse Yeshua gives the answer to eternal life : “.. if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” This is the call to the lost sheep of Israel too, and all who wants to be grafted into Israel. There is just one way to be in a covenant – there is an agreement to obey, follow, live by.
Learn about being “grafted in“, for example from Genesis 48 where Joseph grafted in his two grandsons who were born Egyptians. Even when the commandments and feasts (like Passover) were given, YHWH said that anyone can join in and become an Israelite, by keeping the covenant (Torah). Isaiah 56:3 says, “Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to YHWH say, ‘YHWH will surely separate me from his people'”.
