The Fast the Lord Chooses

Isaiah 58:1-12, Psalm 112: 1-10

In our Isaiah passage God tells Isaiah to announce to God’s people, the house of Jacob, their sins. Even though they fast, they oppress their workers, quarrel, and fight. “Is such a fast a day to humble themselves?” God asks. Is it to bow down and lie in sack cloth and ashes – a practice many a devout Jew did? Yet God finds most of them to be hypocritical worship when it’s done in the absence of covenant obedience and the covenant demands for justice and righteousness.

God then after describing the oppressive practices by the pious describes what a true fast God desires. Isaiah here gives one of the scriptures most powerful portraits of faithfulness expressed in social justice. God says to loose the bonds of injustice, to let the oppressed go free. He tells of sharing one’s food with the hungry, bringing the homeless into one’s home, and dressing the naked. This is what is said to bring light and healing to one’s life. The Lord breaks it down further saying if you offer food to the hungry, satisfy the needs of the afflicted – then your light shall rise in the darkness. The Lord will then guide you and satisfy your own needs, taking care of your own health. Their ancient ruins will be rebuilt.

Psalms 112 talks about the true happiness that comes to one who obeys God’s commandments of taking care of the orphan, widow, and stranger. They are truly a light in the darkness. Listed again, are the godly deeds they need to do – the ones Isaiah emphasizes. They are gracious, merciful, and righteous. Their righteousness endures forever since they deal generously and lend and conduct their affairs with justice. They have distributed freely and have given to the poor. The righteous take on the attributes of the God they fear – respect. They treat all people equitably and care for the poor. Their families thrive while in contrast the wicked will gnash their teeth and melt away, their desire coming to nothing.

As the season of Lent is upon us – how can we go beyond just putting ashes on our heads? How can we work to loosen the bonds of injustice? How can we support local food banks and those who provide clothes and shelter for the homeless? Ask the Lord how you can truly fast the fast that God has chosen for us. Amen

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