Isaiah 58:1-14
This great new section of the book begins by showing us the people fasting and afflicting their souls. Since the LORD has regard for precisely those who are "of a contrite and humble spirit" (Isaiah 57:15; Isaiah 66:2), we may ask: what can He find to say against this? Vv. 3-7 tell us: God is not content with mere outward religious ceremonies, nor with pious statements. By the mouth of another prophet He asks everyone a direct question: "when ye fasted . . . did ye at all fast unto me, even to me?" (Zechariah 7:5). How many things can lurk behind a façade of apparent godliness — the pursuit of our own pleasure, even on the sacred Lord’s day; harshness and selfishness, debates and strife (vv. 3, 4), judgment and criticism (pointing the finger) besides a whole mass of empty words (vv. 9, 13 JND trans.). God’s real demands are these — first and foremost that we relinquish our ties with habitual sins, the chains which hold us to the power of the Enemy (v. 6; Daniel 4:27). Secondly that we put love into practice on every possible occasion (vv. 7, 10). Notice what beautiful promises attend such behaviour!