Isaiah 58

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:3

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? The fasting' spoken of is probably that of the great Day of Atonement. the only fasting commanded in the Law (Le 16:29, 31). Other fasts were from time to time appointed by civil or ecclesiastical authority ( 1 Kings 21:9 , 1 Kings 12:2 , 1 Kings 20:3 ; Joel 1:14 ; Joel 2:12 , Joel 2:15 ); but they were rare, and do not seem to be here intended. Still, the lesson is general, and would apply to all occasions of fasting. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:3-4

Selfishness spoiling religious habits. "Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure. " That is, you make your religion a mode of pleasing yourselves. You really enjoy your fastings. Two points may be illustrated and enforced. As introductory, it may be shown that externalism is the special temptation of a people who have been cured of idolatry. Pharisaic formalism is the evil that threatens a nation that rebounds from the notion of many gods to the idea of one, spiritual God. "Self"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:3-7

Rightful and wrongful fasting need to be carefully distinguished. Among wrong kinds of fasting may be noticed the following. I. PURELY FORMAL FASTING IS WRONG . The fasting that consists in mere abstinence from food, without any accompaniment of prayer or meditation or almsgiving, has in it nothing religious, and is an indifferent act, unless it be viewed as in some sort a pious exercise. Viewed in this light, it is a delusion and a snare—an encouragement to men to make all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:4

Ye fast for strife and debate . Delitzsch explains, "When fasting, they are doubly irritable and ill tempered; and this leads to quarrelling and strife, even to striking with angry fists." This is quite a possible explanation. Or there may have been two parties, one for, the other against, fasting; and those who practised fasting may have done it, as some preached Christ, "of envy and strife" ( Philippians 1:15 )—to provoke the opposite side. Ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:5

Is it such a fast that I have chosen , etc.? Do you suppose that such can be the fast commanded by me in the Law—a fast which is expressly called "a day for a man to afflict his soul"? Is afflicting one's soul simply bowing down one's head as a bulrush, and making one's couch on sackcloth and ashes? Surely it is much more than this. (On the employment of "sackcloth and ashes" in fasting, see Esther 4:3 ; Daniel 9:3 ; Jonah 3:6 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:6

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? This passage, as Dr. Kay observes, "stands like a homily for the Day of Atonement." Such homilies are found in the uninspired Jewish writings, and are conceived very much in the same spirit. The Jews call the true fast "the fasting of the heart." To loose the bands of wickedness. To set free those whom wicked persons have wrongfully imprisoned or entangled. To undo the heavy burdens ; literally, to untie the thongs of the yoke. The liberation of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:6

A religious fast. "Is not this the fast that I have chosen?" Which? The contrast is seen in the inclusive words from the fourth to the ninth verses. God does not delight in outwardness. The mere mannerism of religion, or the head bowed as a bulrush, with sackcloth and ashes beneath, is hateful to the Most High. I. FASTING IS TO BE REALLY RELIGIOUS . It is to "loose the bands of wickedness"—to free one's own soul from the last shackles of lust and selfishness, and to aid in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:6-7

God's idea of fasting. It should be noticed, as giving special point to this reference to fasting, that, besides the regular fasts of the Jewish religion, there were, during the Captivity in Babylon, special fasts appointed as days of repentance and prayer for Israel. God complains that these fasts did not say to him exactly what those who fasted intended them to say, because he looked at the whole conduct of the men to see if it was in harmony with the fasting. The important principle is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:7

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry? In the early Christian Church almsgiving was connected with fasting by law . It was also accepted as a moral axiom that "fasting and alms were the wings of prayer." Cast out; or, homeless ἀστέγους LXX .). That thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh. Their "flesh" were not merely their near kindred, but their countrymen generally (see Nehemiah 5:5 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:8

Then . When thou hast taken this advice to heart, and adopted it, and made it the rule of thy conduct. Upon such a change in thee, all good things shall follow. Thou shalt have no more to complain of unanswered prayers or covenant promises left in abeyance (see the comment on Isaiah 58:2 and Isaiah 58:3 ). Shall thy lightbreak forth ; i.e. thy glorious, time shall begin (comp Isaiah 50:1 ). Thine health—rather, thine healing; the "healing of thy bruise," or thy recovery from the... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:3-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:3-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:6-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 58:8

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