Introduction
Isaiah 58 continues the theme of righteous living, focusing on insincere religious fasting versus sincere obedience from the heart. The people appear externally penitent, but remain unjust and self-centered. God rejects empty ritual devoid of social justice.
Through Isaiah, the Lord calls His people to true repentance manifest through acts of charity, generosity, and Sabbath delight. This results in spiritual light rising over darkness and physical healing springing forth speedily. God’s grace flows through those who live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before Him.
As we study this convicting chapter, may God realign our priorities with the fast He desires – setting captives free, serving the oppressed, and satisfying the afflicted. When we care for others in Jesus’ name, His resurrection life overflows. The glory due His name then brightly shines for all to see.
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Key Takeaways:
- Religious ritual means nothing to God without accompanying social justice
- True fasting requires liberating the oppressed and meeting peoples’ needs
- Self-centered religion earns God’s rebuke rather than reward
- Genuine repentance manifests through righteous living and generosity
- By honoring the Sabbath and serving others, God’s people thrive
- Light overcomes darkness when believers live out Christ’s kingdom
- Physical restoration springs forth speedily through faithful obedience
- Loving God and neighbor sums up the fast that pleases the Lord
Commentary on Isaiah 58
Hypocrisy Rebuked (58:1-5)
1 “Cry aloud; do not hold back;
lift up your voice like a trumpet;
declare to my people their transgression,
to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 Yet they seek me daily
and delight to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that did righteousness
and did not forsake the judgment of their God;
they ask of me righteous judgments;
they delight to draw near to God.
3 ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?
Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’
Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,
and oppress all your workers.
4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to hit with a wicked fist.
Fasting like yours this day
will not make your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is such the fast that I choose,
a day for a person to humble himself?
Is it to bow down his head like a reed,
and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?
Will you call this a fast,
and a day acceptable to the Lord? (Isaiah 58:1-5 ESV)
Isaiah begins with a trumpet call to confront the people regarding their superficial religiosity and lack of social justice. They appear devout but in truth remain oppressive.
Though fasting often, they exploit workers and pursue selfish gain (v. 3-4). Their outward humility masks inward pride and disregard for the vulnerable. They mouth prayers while mistreating others, grieving God’s heart.
The Lord rejects empty ritual not paired with righteous living. No special credit accrues for going through religious motions while failing to live out biblical ethics. Authentic faith produces holy fruit.
True Fasting Explained (58:6-12)
6 “Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.
11 And the Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.
12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to dwell in. (Isaiah 58:6-12 ESV)
In contrast to superficial fasting, verses 6-12 describe the lifestyle of true repentance God desires: setting captives free, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and meeting peoples’ physical needs.
When God’s people live justly and care for the vulnerable, their light rises in darkness and they experience satisfying joy and sustaining strength from the Lord (v.8-11). Ruined cities rebuild as righteousness flows down like healing waters.
Loving others tangibly fulfills the fast that pleases God. He promises spiritual light, physical healing, relational restoration, and community renewal to those who walk humbly in compassionate obedience.
Blessing through Honoring Sabbath (58:13-14)
13 “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath,
from doing your pleasure on my holy day,
and call the Sabbath a delight
and the holy day of the Lord honorable;
if you honor it, not going your own ways,
or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly;
14 then you shall take delight in the Lord,
and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;
I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 58:13-14 ESV)
In addition to caring for others, properly observing Sabbath rest brings great reward. This includes not pursuing selfish interests or empty chatter on God’s holy day.
Honoring the Sabbath by finding delight in the Lord results in feasting on our spiritual inheritance as God’s children. True soul rest restores perspective amidst life’s demands and pressures.
When we cease laboring in our own strength and humbly rely on Christ’s finished work, the Lord lifts us up to soar on the heights of His joy and peace. We receive strength and sustenance from Him alone.
Detailed Commentary on Isaiah 58
Now let’s study Isaiah 58 verse-by-verse to fully digest why God rejects empty ritual and desires heartfelt obedience:
Hypocrisy Rebuked (58:1-5)
1 “Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)
God commissions Isaiah to confront the people’s sin without restraint, like a blasting trumpet. Preaching require boldly declaring God’s word against hypocrisy and compromise, that souls may be saved.
The most loving thing we can do is warn others away from sin through applying Scripture. Their greatest need is repentance, not comfort.
2 Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. (Isaiah 58:2)
Outwardly the people appear righteous, seeking God daily and delighting in His ways. But inwardly they disregard justice and oppress the vulnerable.
Jesus condemned similar religious hypocrisy among the Pharisees who pursued public piety while neglecting “weightier matters of the law” like justice, mercy and faith (Matthew 23:23).
3 ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. (Isaiah 58:3)
The hypocritical people fast and feign humility expecting commendation from God. But He sees through to their selfishness and lack of compassion.
Outward displays of piety impress other people, but God examines the heart motive. He cares far more about righteousness and justice than religious observances.
4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. (Isaiah 58:4)
Their fasting does not entail true repentance, only continued selfishness and contention. God will not hear prayers from such insincere hearts.
Jesus taught that reconciliation with others must precede reconciliation with God (Matthew 5:23-24). We cannot mistreat people yet expect God’s favor.
5 Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? (Isaiah 58:5)
The Lord asks rhetorically whether empty external fasting and affectations of mourning constitute true humility. The obvious answer is no. He will not accept such performance without heart change.
Authentic faith produces righteousness and compassion. Going through religious motions alone earns God’s discipline rather than His pleasure.
True Fasting Explained (58:6-12)
6 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)
In contrast to empty ritual, God outlines the lifestyle of fasting He desires – namely setting captives free, releasing burdens, and ending oppression.
Jesus quotes this verse in announcing His messianic mission to proclaim liberty through the gospel (Luke 4:18-21). Sincere faith manifests in social justice.
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)
True religion cares for the needy – feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked. Following Jesus requires ministering to “the least of these” (Matthew 25:31-46).
Believers cannot remain indifferent to a brother or sister in need. The church must lead the way in compassion, seeing all peoples as part of our own family.
8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:8)
When God’s people live justly and care for others, they walk in spiritual light amidst darkness and experience healing from the Lord. He guards the path of the upright.
As believers honor Christ through obedience, we manifest Kingdom ethics before a watching world. Righteousness opens channels for God’s power and glory.
9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, (Isaiah 58:9)
Sincere repentance and compassion result in close fellowship with God. He promises to answer prayer and be near to those who renounce sin and love others.
We cannot mistreat people yet expect God’s presence. Yoking others, finger-pointing and wicked speech destroy intimacy with the Lord.
10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. (Isaiah 58:10)
Reiterating the theme, caring for the disadvantaged causes spiritual light to shine amidst dark times. Serving others unleashes God’s life-giving power.
Believers glorify God by pouring ourselves out to meet the needs of a hurting world. We must speak truth boldly while also demonstrating Christlike compassion tirelessly.
11 And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. (Isaiah 58:11)
Those walking uprightly experience intimate guidance, soul satisfaction, renewing strength and sustaining refreshment from the Lord. He makes them flourish like a lush, well-watered garden.
The spiritually dry and desolate drink deeply from the living water of Christ (John 7:37-39). Abiding in Him bears His fruit in every circumstance and season.
12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. (Isaiah 58:12)
This final verse promises rebuilding of ancient ruins as obedience flows down. Those who follow God’s ways repair what sin has destroyed, restoring foundations to bless future generations.
The church’s mission includes pursuing justice, reconciliation, and community renewal by the Spirit’s power. Faithful discipleship rebuilds what is broken down.
Blessing through Honoring Sabbath (58:13-14)
13 “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; (Isaiah 58:13)
Proper Sabbath observance requires ceasing self-focused labor and finding refreshment in the Lord during set-apart days. This honors God’s holy gift for flourishing.
The principle remains that scheduled rest and worship renew us spiritually and physically. We must regularly disengage from life’s demands to delight in the Lord.
14 then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 58:14)
In reward, those who honor Sabbath find delight in the Lord Himself. He then lifts them up to soar in His strength and feeds them richly as beloved children.
Setting aside earthly pursuits to enjoy heavenly communion brings nourishment, vision and strength to thrive in our calling. The Lord revives those who wait on Him.
Key Themes and Connections
Reflecting on Isaiah 58, we see key themes:
Religious Hypocrisy
- Isaiah confronts the people for appearing pious outwardly while disregarding justice and oppressing others. God sees the heart.
- Jesus rebuked similar religious hypocrisy (Matthew 23). We must ensure our fasting and prayers align with caring for people in need.
Social Justice and True Religion
- God defines authentic faith as displaying generosity, liberating captives, feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless.
- True piety manifests in compassion and seeking the welfare of others. Religion devoid of ethics is worthless.
Sincere Repentance
- God desires heartfelt repentance and obedience more than empty rituals and solemn assemblies. Fasting signifies little without life change.
- We must reject hypocrisy in fasting or any spiritual discipline. Inner sincerity and purity before God is paramount.
Spiritual Light Through Righteous Deeds
- Those who live justly and care for others experience intimacy with God, vitality, joy, light amidst darkness, and community renewal.
- Blessing overflows through righteous living. Obedience releases resurrection power. Sin blocks God’s favor and strength.
Honoring the Sabbath
- Delighting in God during Sabbath instead of busyness and chatter brings divine honor, strength and nourishment.
- The Lord designed sacred days of rest for our good. We must disengage regularly from work to worship and enjoy Christ’s presence.
Conclusion
Isaiah 58 remains profoundly relevant, calling believers to reject empty religion while pursuing godliness manifest in doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly before God. May we excel in generosity and living by Kingdom priorities for His glory.
Lord, forgive us for every hint of selfishness, indifference, legalism, or hypocrisy. Empower us to live boldly for You, that light may dawn in every dark place. Revive Your Church to demonstrate Christ’s compassion and truth.
