Let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You for these words. Thank You for the warning and the promises and Lord, encourage anyone who reads this to read the rest of the chapter too. Because we all should read all of it. But bless them for reading this much Lord. Reveal what we’re doing that You would like us to repent and change from doing. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
Isaiah 58:5-7 – Amplified Bible
Firstly, I want to encourage you to read the whole chapter, it’s relatively short and there are so many more negative things of explanation in it. And so many promises too.
Please read Isaiah 58:5-7 Slow way down as the words aren’t what you would assume they are as you read them. These words are God’s words. He is the One speaking.
5 “Is a fast such as this what I have chosen,
a day for a man to humble himself [with sorrow in his soul]?
Is it only to bow down his head like a reed
And to make sackcloth and ashes as a bed
[pretending to have a repentant heart]?Do you call this a fast and a day pleasing to the Lord?”
6 “[Rather] is this not the fast which I choose,
To undo the bonds of wickedness,
To tear to pieces the ropes of the yoke,
To let the oppressed go free
And break apart every [enslaving] yoke?
7 “Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not to hide yourself from
[the needs of] your own flesh and blood?”
Oh it’s hard for me to not include more. Because every word of it is from the mouth of the Lord. And as such, we would do very well to listen. Especially for the warnings. But also for the promises. Because they are great in this chapter. But this is a quick study so here you are.
You cannot pull a fast one on God. He knows not just what you do but the intention behind it.