Isaiah Chapter 58:
Isaiah describes the Israelite's view about fasting - That there is no need because they are doing everything else; Because it is hard and doesn't feel good; And sometime they are grumpy and cause arguments when they fast; Some fast for the sake of pride to show how good they are; others show their fasting and how difficult it is in their demeanor.
3 ¶ aWherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your bfast ye find cpleasure, and dexact all your labours.
4 Behold, ye fast for astrife and bdebate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not cfast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?
But the Lord is trying to teach us about the blessings of the fast - that if we do not act in the manners described above that there are great blessings that await us: To loose us from our addictions and trials, To lift our heavy burdens and help us be free from the things that bind us; To allow us to lift the hungry and those that are in need of some help. And, when we shall do so, Our light will shine forth, our health will be improved, our example will bless the lives of those around us and God, himself, shall protect us; and when we call on Him He will be there.
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the abandsof wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go bfree, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the ahungry, and that thou bring the bpoor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from cthine own flesh?
8 ¶ Then shall thy alight break forth as the morning, and thine bhealth shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lordshall be thy crearward.
9 Then shalt thou acall, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the bputting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the ahungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light brise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
11 And the Lord shall aguide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in bdrought, and cmake fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a dspring of water, whose waters fail not.
Is this not a wonderful blessing opportunity?! Is this not something to look forward to and get excited about?! When we fast and then bless the lives of others with our offerings and with our example and with our love and caring the blessings that are available to us are amazingly rich.
