58:1ffTrue worship was more than religious ritual, going to the Temple every day, fasting, and listening to Scripture readings. sin in our heart and continue our sinful life-style. More important even than correct worship and doctrine is genuine compassion for the oppressed, the poor, and the helpless.
Life Application Study BibleIsaiahChapter 58
Isaiah 58
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1182, 1183
58Isaiah 58
1Tell my people Israel* of their sins!
2Yet they act so pious!They come to the Temple every dayand seem delighted to learn all about me.They act like a righteous nationthat would never abandon the laws of its God.They ask me to take action on their behalf,pretending they want to be near me.
3‘We have fasted before you!’ they say.‘Why aren't you impressed?We have been very hard on ourselves,and you don’t even notice it!’“T will tell you why!” I respond.“It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves.Even while you fast,you keep oppressing your workers.
4What good is fastingwhen you keep on fighting and quarreling?This kind of fastingwill never get you anywhere with me.
5You humble yourselvesby going through the motions of penance,bowing your headslike reeds bending in the wind.You dress in burlapand cover yourselves with ashes.Is this what you call fasting?Do you really think this will please the LORD?
6“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;lighten the burden of those who work for you.Let the oppressed go free,and remove the chains that bind people.
7Share your food with the hungry,and give shelter to the homeless.Give clothes to those who need them,and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,and your wounds will quickly heal.Your godliness will lead you forward,and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.
9Then when you call, the LORD will answer.‘Yes, 1am here,’ he will quickly reply.“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10Feed the hungry,and help those in trouble.Then your light will shine out from the darkness,and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11The LORD will guide you continually,giving you water when you are dryand restoring your strength.You will be like a well-watered garden,like an ever-flowing spring.
12Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.Then you will be known as a rebuilder of wailsand a restorer of homes.
13“Keep the Sabbath day holy.Don't pursue your own interests on that day,but enjoy the Sabbathand speak of it with delight as the LORD'’s holy day.Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
14Then the LORD will be your delight.Twill give you great honorand satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestorI, the LORD, have spoken!”Warnings against Sin
Textual footnotes
- 58:1 Hebrew Jacob. See note on 14:1.
Life Application Notes 3 notes
58:6-12We cannot be saved without faith in Christ, but our faith Jacks sincerity if it doesn’t reach out to others. Fasting can be beneficiat spiritually and physically, but at its best fasting helps only the person doing it. God says he wants our fasting to go beyond our own personal growth to acts of kindness, charity, justice, and generosity. This truly is pleasing to God.
58:13,14The day of rest should be observed and regarded Not only because Sabbath keeping is a commandment but also because it is best for us and it honors God. Keeping the Sabbath Shows proper respect to God, our Creator, who also rested on the Seventh day (Genesis 2:3). It also unifies our family and sets priorities for them. Our day of rest refreshes us spiritually and physically—providing time when we can gather together for worship and reflect on God without the stress of our everyday activities.
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Study feature · page 1183
Jacob.