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Overview

Isaiah 58 is a unique chapter. YHWH is condemning Judah for participating in a fast for the wrong reasons. They fast for their own pleasure. They fast to provoke a fight. Their fasts are not acceptable to the Lord. 

Isaiah 58:3-4

‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.

This really is a strange chapter. Judaism only really has one official fast, during the Day of Atonement. But I think this speaks to a deeper spiritual issue. Judah continues to worship God—their own way and not with the right motives. Fasting typically stems from mourning, from a heart of broken dependency on God. This is not the vibe you get reading Isaiah 58. YHWH literally tells Judah—because you are doing this wrong, I will not listen to you. 

This reminds us that our worship is meant to come from the heart. Yes, did God have rules that the Israelites needed to obey with regards to the sacrificial system? Of course he did. But true obedience stems from the heart. You can bring a pristine, flawless lamb, but with the wrong heart—it is not acceptable to the Lord. The obvious application is church attendance or maybe even giving. God wants you to desire to come and worship Him. God wants you to desire to be with the people of God—not filling out your checklist of good works. 

Isaiah 58:11-12

“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.”

The book of Isaiah seems like a lot of doom and gloom, but in truth, YHWH is extremely patient and gracious. Isaiah 58 begins with YHWH coming down pretty hard on those who fast with wrong motives. Ultimately, revealing His anger towards false or hypocritical worship. But then—YHWH provides hope. He reveals His perfect heart, desiring His people to thrive and grow. 

How encouraging for us? God will satisfy our desires even when we are in desert places, even when our bodies are weak and frail. If we will trust in Him, He promises to care for us—even in desperate times. But what I love is found in verse 12. There will be a renewal, a restoration. Judah will build again. Scholars debate if there is a present fulfillment of this in the New Covenant or if this is still future. I will let them debate. Ultimately, God will restore the broken foundations of our souls and this current world. I know He has begun a good work in me and in you—but He is not done. Evil is still here. His enemies still are roaming and strategizing. Someday His foot will silence them. Until then, let us wait well. Cling to His promises. He has already won. He overcame sin and death and now we are also overcomers. Remember that today.