In this chapter, Isaiah condemns the hypocrisy of the Israelites. They have a form of godliness. They even take delight in their fasts and in the keeping of the Sabbath. Yet, their fasts are not what God seeks. He desires them to forsake their wickedness and give bread to the hungry. Instead of delighting in the outward shows of godliness, they need to delight in obedience, in righteousness, and in the Lord Himself.

What Does It Say?

1. Isaiah is told to cry aloud, to spare not, and to lift up his voice like and _____________.
2. The Israelites are condemned because they fast for strife and _________.
3. When they turn to the Lord in righteousness, He will make them to be like a watered ____________, and like a __________ of water whose waters fail not.
4. In their return to the Lord, they will be called, The repairer of the __________, The restorer of __________ to dwell in.
5. To honor God in the Sabbath they must not do their own __________, nor find their own ____________, nor speak their own words.

What Does It Mean?

1. Instead of the outward show of a fast, God desires the Israelites to give bread to the hungry, bring the poor into their house, and cover the naked (v.7). The righteous Israelite is to do this “that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh” (v.7). Why does God call the poor “thine own flesh?” Read Nehemiah 5:1-8 [1] And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. [2] For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live. [3] Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. [4] There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. [5] Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. [6] And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. [7] Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. [8] And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
   See All... and James 2:1-5 [1] My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. [2] For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; [3] And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: [4] Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? [5] Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
   See All.... How do these passages help to explain this phrase in Isaiah 58:7Is 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?
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2. As part of their blessing for turning to the Lord in righteousness, “the glory of the LORD shall be their rereward” (v.8). The general meaning of rereward is rearguard. It refers to the company of soldiers that were placed at the rear of an army when they traveled. They had the important job of protecting the soft backside of the army. In what ways does God act as our rereward? How does this verse compare with Isaiah 52:12For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.
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3. One of the things that those seeking will remove is “the putting forth of the finger” (v.9). Perhaps this refers to an accusing finger pointing at another. According to Proverbs 6:13He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
   See All..., the wicked man “teacheth with his fingers.” Isaiah 57:4Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood.
   See All... speaks of those who make “a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue.” What kinds of outward expressions and gestures should be avoided by those who know the Lord and love Him?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. Read verses 3-7 of this chapter. What do they seem to be doing right in their fasts? What is wrong with the fasts they are keeping? How can we sometimes be impressed with religious actions when God is not impressed? Read Isaiah 66:1-2 [1] Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? [2] For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
   See All.... What is it that impresses God? What does this passage teach you about how you should approach God?
2. In verse 2 of this chapter, Isaiah mocks the Israelites who “take delight in approaching to God.” Though they delight in approaching God, verses 3-5 show that God is not at all pleased with them. However, in verse 14, after they have returned to the Lord in righteousness, God is now pleased with them. He says, “Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD.” What is the difference between the two phrases—one not pleasing to God and other pleasing to God? How can we be wrong even when we delight in approaching to God? What are the keys to make sure that we delight in the Lord and not just in approaching to God?

Suggested Memory Verses

Isaiah 58:1Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
See All..., Isaiah 58:11And 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.
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