Isaiah 58:5

Isaiah 58:5

3 ‘Why^a have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and¹ You have not seen?
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.

4 ^aIndeed you fast for strife and debate,
And to strike with the fist of wickedness.
You will not fast as you do this day,
To make your voice heard on high.

5 Is ^ait a fast that I have chosen,
^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?

6 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To ^aloose the bonds of wickedness,
^bTo undo the¹ heavy burdens,
^cTo let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?

7 Is it not ^ato share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are¹ cast out;
^bWhen you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from ^cyour own flesh?

8 ^aThen your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
^bThe glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

Commentaries:

John Wesley's Notes

<< Isaiah 58:4

Isaiah 58:6 >>

Chosen - Approve of, accept, or delight in, by a metonymy, because we delight in what we freely chuse. For a day - This may be understood, either for a man to take a certain time to afflict his soul in, and that either from even to even, Leviticus 23:32, or from morning to evening, or for a little time. Wilt thou call - Canst thou suppose it to be so? A fast - It being such an one as has nothing in it, but the dumb signs of a fast, nothing of deep humiliation appearing in it, or, real reformation proceeding from it. Acceptable day - A day that God will approve of.

<< Isaiah 58:4

Isaiah 58:6 >>

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