1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
3 Wherefore have we fasted, [say they], and thou seest not? [wherefore] have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as [ye do this] day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? [is it] to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes [under him]? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
6 [Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I [am]. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
10 And [if] thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness [be] as the noonday:
11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
12 And [they that shall be] of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, [from] doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words:
14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].
Overview of Isaiah Chapter 58
Isaiah 58 addresses the theme of true fasting and the social responsibilities that come with it. The chapter critiques the superficial practices of fasting and worship that do not align with ethical behavior and social justice. It emphasizes that genuine devotion to God is reflected in how individuals treat others, particularly the marginalized and oppressed.
Key Themes
- True Fasting: The chapter defines what true fasting means in the eyes of God, contrasting it with mere ritualistic practices.
- Social Justice: There is a strong emphasis on caring for the needy, the oppressed, and those who suffer.
- Divine Response: The chapter outlines the blessings and guidance that come from genuine acts of compassion and justice.
- Spiritual Renewal: True fasting leads to spiritual renewal and restoration, both personally and communally.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-5: Critique of Empty Rituals
In the opening verses, God commands Isaiah to cry aloud and declare the people’s transgressions. The Israelites are depicted as seeking God daily, delighting in knowing His ways, yet their fasting is criticized as ineffective and hypocritical.
- The people question why their fasting does not seem to please God.
- God responds by highlighting their exploitation and quarrels during fasting, indicating that their rituals are empty without ethical conduct.
- The emphasis is on the heart’s condition rather than mere external observance.
Verses 6-7: The Purpose of Fasting
God defines the true purpose of fasting, which includes actions that promote justice and mercy. The verses outline specific actions that reflect true fasting:
- Loosening the chains of injustice.
- Setting the oppressed free.
- Sharing food with the hungry.
- Providing shelter for the homeless.
- Clothing the naked and not turning away from one’s own flesh and blood.
Verses 8-12: Promises of Divine Blessing
God promises that if the people engage in true fasting, their light will break forth like the dawn, and healing will come quickly. The blessings include:
- Guidance and protection from God.
- Restoration of the people and their land.
- Being called a “repairer of broken walls” and a “restorer of streets with dwellings.”
Verses 13-14: Observing the Sabbath
The chapter concludes with a call to honor the Sabbath and refrain from pursuing personal interests on this holy day. God emphasizes that delighting in the Sabbath leads to joy and fulfillment in the Lord.
- Observing the Sabbath is linked to the broader theme of social justice and community care.
- The promise of delight in the Lord is tied to the commitment to ethical living and worship.
Conclusion
Isaiah 58 serves as a powerful reminder that true devotion to God is not confined to rituals but is expressed through acts of justice, mercy, and compassion. The chapter challenges believers to reflect on their practices and align them with the ethical demands of their faith, ultimately leading to personal and communal transformation.
