Isa. 58:1-10
Background:
Isaiah is one of the prophet who speaks for God to man. He lives in a time that Israel was splitted into north and south, while the northern part is wiped out by Assyrian. The southern part is in a time of danger. People do not pay attention to the Law of God and thus God is going after them by the military attack.
Fasting is a form of prayer in the OT while people do it in a sense of urgency. They pray in great focus and ask something from God.
Sharing:
Not every type of fasting is pleasing to God. In v.3-4 they sinned in 2 aspects: oppressing the needy and striking each other with wicked fists. One one hand they are looking for something from God (that's why they pray). They may looking for peace from a military attack. Something like a light from the darkness (v.8, 10). They know only God can provide such kind of protection to them. On the other hand, they live their live in their own way ("Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please v.3"). What God wants is not only partial surrender to Him, but totally. Can I obey God only partially and expect for His blessing? Do I think I can treat God with partial obedience? I may not have committed the sins of oppressing and striking. What is the thing that God do not want in my life?
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