Isaiah 58:5-9

Is it such a fast that I have chosen?

The fast which God has chosen

I. GOD’S PURPOSE IN COMMANDING MEN TO FAST.

1. To lead us to prayer (Isaiah 58:4), prayer so real that our voices are “heard on high,” that God will hear and answer.

2. To aid us in realizing communion with Him (Isaiah 58:9); that His voice be heard by us as truly as ours by Him; our voice to Him (Isaiah 58:8), His to us.

3. To aid in repressing self in all its forms. In John 3:30, we have thegeneral principle, also in Philippians 2:8.

II. THE NATURE OR CHARACTER OF TRUE ABSTINENCE.

1. To loose our bands (Luke 13:16), “whom Satan hath bound” Luke 11:21; Matthew 5:29).

2. To undo our burdens (Psalms 55:22; Matthew 11:28).

3. To break every yoke, every habit that enslaves (Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 6:12). “I will not be brought under the power of any.”

4. To bring the flesh into subjection to the spirit (Galatians 5:17).

III. THE EFFECT OF TRUE ABSTINENCE.

1. “Then” thy light shall break forth like morning (Philippians 2:15; Matthew 5:16).

2. “Thy righteousness shall go before thee ‘ as a leader to higher grace and 2 Corinthians 3:18).

3. Thy prayer shall be heard (verse 9).

4. There shall be light from on high, and His guidance for ever (verse 10; Psalms 32:8; Exodus 33:14).

Conclusion: To keep this season properly, we must be ourselves “free” as now creatures in Him. We must act habitually in the spirit of freedom Galatians 5:1). We must do what in us lies to make others free Numbers 10:29). (H. Linton, M. A.)

Philanthropic piety

In these verses you have the religious instinct working, not through selfishness, but through love, not in formal religious devotions, but in earnest philanthropic services.

I. ITS RITUAL IS PHILANTHROPIC SERVICE. “Pure religion and undefiled is this, to visit the widow and fatherless,” etc.

II. ITS INFLUENCE IS GLORIOUSLY BENEFICENT. What is it? “Light.” “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning. Prosperity will come on them as the genial dawning of a long and blessed day. “Health.” “Thine health shall spring forth speedily.’ All weakness and disease will depart, and healthful vigour will come into the soul. “Righteousness.” “Thy righteousness shall go before thee.” The eternal law of rectitude--not expediency, not caprice, not passion, not morbid sentiment, will guide the footsteps as a leader through the winding path of life.’ “Glory. “The glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward” (margin, “shall gather thee up, that ye shall bring up the rear’).

III. ITS SPIRIT IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD. “Then shalt thou call and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am.” The idea is that if men would only be real in their religion, show their love to Him by labouring earnestly for the good of suffering humanity, then He would respond to their prayers, and grant them their request. (Homilist.)