15 May 2001

Text: Isaiah 58
THE QUESTION OF "FASTING"

The Hypocrisy of Israel Exposed
On the One Hand…
1. They seek God daily Isa. 58:2
2. They express delight to know God's ways Isa.58:2
3. They behaved as if the nation was righteous Isa. 58:2
4. They behaved as if they had not forsaken God's ordinances Isa. 58:2
5. They appear to be interested in the ordinances of justice Isa. 58:2
6. They express delight in approaching God Isa. 58:2
1. They even questioned why God did not take notice of their "fasting" Isa. 58:3

On the other…
1. They transgressed God's laws Isa. 58:1
2. They were sinning against the Lord Isa. 58:1

GOD'S DIRECT ANSWER TO THE QUESTION OF FASTING
1. How did Israel practise fasting?
a) Did they really afflict their souls in accordance to the Mosaic law? (Isa. 58:3; Lev. 16:29-34)
b) Did they not in fact violate the prescribed fast by finding pleasure? Isa.58:3

2. Israel did not see the connection between their religious practices and their daily life
a) They exploited their labourers Isa. 58:3
b) They strove and debated Isa. 58:4
c) They struck with the fist of wickedness Isa. 58:4

3. The Fast that God commanded
a) It was a day set aside for the affliction of the soul Isa. 58:5
i) In that affliction of the soul, the head is bowed down Isa. 58:5
I ii) The individual wear sackcloth and has ashes thrown on his head Isa. 58:5
iii) But is the physical aspect all there is to fasting Isa. 58:5

b) The other forgotten aspect of fasting
i) "To loose the bonds of wickedness" Isa. 58:6
ii) "To undo the heavy burden" Isa. 58:6
iii) "To let the oppressed go free" Isa. 58:6
iv) "To break every bond" Isa. 58:6
v) "To share the bread with the hungry" Isa. 58:7
vi) "You bring to your house the poor who are cast out" Isa.58:7
vii) "When you see the naked, that you cover him" Isa. 58:7
viii) "And not hide yourself from your own flesh" Isa. 58:7

THE BLESSINGS OF GOD UPON THOSE WHO PRACTICE THIS CONCEPT OF THE FAST
1. "Your light shall break forth like the morning…" Isa. 58:8
2. "Your healing shall spring forth speedily" Isa. 58:8
3. "Your righteousness shall go before you…" Isa. 58:8
4. "The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard" Isa. 58:8
5. "Then you shall call, and He will say, 'Here I am' " Isa. 58:9

AN ELABORATION OF THE APPLICATION OF TRUE RELIGION IN THE OLD COVENANT CONTEXT
1. To "take away the yoke from your midst…" Isa. 58:9
2. "The pointing of the finger…" Isa. 58:9
3. "Speaking in wickedness…" Isa. 58:9
4. "If you extend your soul to the hungry…" Isa. 59:10
5. "And satisfy the afflicted soul…" Isa. 59:10
6. "If you turn away… from doing your pleasure on My Holy Day…" Isa. 59:13

REITERATION OF THE PROMISE OF BLESSINGS FROM GOD
1. "Your light shall dawn in the darkness…
Your darkness shall be as noonday…" Isa. 58:10

2. "The Lord will guide you continually…" Isa. 58:11
3. "And satisfy your soul in drought…" Isa. 58:11
4. "And strengthen your bones…" Isa. 58:11
5. "You shall be like a watered garden…" Isa. 58:11
1. "And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail…" Isa. 58:11
2. "You shall be called "The Repairer of the Breach…"
The Restorer of Streets to Dwell in…" Isa. 58:12

8. "You shall delight in the Lord" Isa. 58:14
9. "I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth…" Isa. 58:14
10. "And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father…" Isa. 58:14