Fasting that Pleases God
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
aTell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins.
And delight to know My ways,
As a nation that did righteousness,
And did not forsake the ordinance of their God.
They ask of Me the ordinances of justice;
They take delight in approaching God.
Why have we bafflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’
“In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,
And exploit all your laborers.
And to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You will not fast as you do this day,
To make your voice heard on high.
bA day for a man to afflict his soul?
Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush,
And cto spread out sackcloth and ashes?
Would you call this a fast,
And an acceptable day to the Lord?
To aloose the bonds of wickedness,
bTo undo the1 heavy burdens,
cTo let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
No entry exists in Forerunner Commentary for Isaiah 58:3.
In verse 1 we find that God is speaking, and He tells Isaiah, "Cry aloud and spare not." Shout like a trumpet. Tell My people their sins. God, still speaking, says that the people were seeking Him daily. They were even fasting. Why was He not honoring their fast? Why was He not paying attention, responding to their fast and answering their prayers?
In the last part of verse 3 we find, "you find pleasure in exploiting all your laborers. You fast for strife and debate, and go so far as to strike with the fist." What is going on here, brethren? They found pleasure in exploiting their brethren, and even beating them with their fist, on a day of fasting. Now there is some speculation this might have even been the Day of Atonement, but it is clear to see that God was not happy with it, and they were accusing God of not listening to them, not accepting their idea of worship.
Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Isaiah 58:3:
| << Isaiah 58:2 | Isaiah 58:4 >> |
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