Isaiah58

The prophet is commanded to expose Israel's sins despite their outward religious observances. God reveals that their fasting is hypocritical, driven by selfish desires and strife, rather than true humility. He defines the acceptable fast as acts of justice, mercy, and compassion towards the oppressed and needy. Observing this true fast and honoring the Sabbath will bring divine blessings, including light, health, guidance, and restoration.
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Israel's Hypocritical Fasting Exposed

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? ​

The Fast God Truly Desires

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. ​

The Blessings of Honoring the Sabbath

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. ​

Study Notes for Isaiah 58

Verse 1

The prophet is commanded to deliver God’s message forcefully, acting as a trumpet to reveal the deep contradiction between the people's outward religious practices and their internal ethical failures.

Verse 2

This verse describes the people’s superficial piety. They maintain a façade of devotion, seeking God daily and asking about justice, but their righteousness is only external and ceremonial.

Verse 3

The people complain that God has not responded to their ritualistic fasting. They view worship transactionally, expecting an automatic reward for their affliction, unaware that their actions contradict their prayers.

Verse 4

God reveals the true nature of their fasts: they are self-serving, leading to disputes, violence, and the exploitation of workers, rather than genuine humility or seeking reconciliation.

Verse 5

The prophet uses rhetorical questions to emphasize that God rejects mere external show—such as sackcloth, ashes, and posture—if the heart remains focused on self-interest rather than genuine repentance and justice.

Verse 6

The true fast is defined not by abstinence, but by ethical action. 'To loose the bands of wickedness' refers specifically to ending economic and social oppression, such as debt slavery and unjust labor practices.

Verse 7

The definition of true worship continues, emphasizing practical charity and hospitality. 'Thine own flesh' broadens the scope of responsibility beyond immediate family, encompassing fellow Israelites and the marginalized.

Verse 8

This verse introduces the conditional blessings. 'Light break forth' symbolizes God's presence, favor, and revelation, while 'health' (Marpe) signifies holistic healing and restoration, both physical and national.

Verse 9

Answered prayer is conditioned on ethical change. 'Putting forth of the finger' refers to slander, contempt, or malicious accusation, highlighting the need to eliminate oppressive behavior and malicious speech.

Verse 10

The promise is one of transformation: the life previously marked by 'obscurity' and spiritual darkness will become radiant and clear, reflecting God’s glory.

Verse 11

The imagery of the 'watered garden' and 'spring of water' symbolizes perpetual blessing, vitality, and satisfaction, contrasting sharply with the spiritual drought caused by their previous hypocrisy.

Verse 12

This promise moves from personal blessing to national restoration. Those who embrace true righteousness will be the agents of rebuilding the devastated land and community, earning titles associated with stability and renewal.

Verse 13

The focus shifts from fasting to the Sabbath, emphasizing that its observance requires refraining from personal business, selfish interests ('thy pleasure'), and idle conversation, dedicating the day instead to honoring God.

Verse 14

'Ride upon the high places of the earth' is a covenant blessing symbolizing victory, security, and authority over the land. The reward for Sabbath obedience is deep joy and inheritance guaranteed by God’s word.

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