As one follows the Christian Liturgical calendar, this Sunday is the last Sunday during the period of several weeks that fall between the Feast of Epiphany (January 6th) and Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. One practice that many people follow throughout Lent is that of fasting. The Lord, through His prophet Isaiah, had something to say about what the practice of fasting had become. Let’s look at what the Scriptures say.
The Lord God had a lot to tell the descendants of Jacob, and He wanted Isaiah to give them His message. The prophet Isaiah was to proclaim God’s message forth just like the loud sounding of a trumpet blast (vs. 1). Unfortunately for the people, this message was not a joyous one, but one to point out their sins.
One of the indictments that God had against the people was how, over the years, their worship of Him had become merely ritual, and not from the heart. Many of the people still followed all of the prescribed religious practices given in the Law of Moses, however, their hearts were far from God. They followed what was convenient for themselves, for their own benefit, and what would make them look good in others’ eyes. True worship is more than just going through religious rituals. For some people, both back in Isaiah’s day and also today, their religious acts are just going through the motions. Their supposed righteousness is merely pretense.
There were many people who acted very self-righteous, following the letter of the Law, but treating others, those they felt were beneath them, with contempt. They felt that as long as they were going through their religious rituals, that God was happy with them. However, God wasn’t. When they questioned why He wasn’t, God told them quite plainly. They acted wickedly. They exploited people, oppressed them, and mistreated the poor (vs. 3-7) . God does not want us acting pious when we have unforgiven sin in our hearts. We need to show compassion for the poor, the oppressed, and the helpless.
In ancient Israel, many who would fast would make a big show of it, with wearing sackcloth, pouring ashes over themselves, and beating one’s breast with loud wailing. This was all for show, so that others would think they were pious. Today people may not be so dramatic, but many still do things to make themselves seem pious and holy in the eyes of others. God saw through their act, and He still sees through people’s acts today. He calls them hypocrites. Instead of repenting of their sins, they oppress others, they fight, and they ignore the poor and needy. In God’s eyes, caring for others, particularly the poor, the orphan, and the widow, is more important than religious rituals (vs. 9-10). Jesus cited this portion of Isaiah when He rebuked the false worship of the scribes and Pharisees for their outward show, but hardness of heart (Mark 7:1-13).
God wants true fasting, not just going through the motions. The fasting He wants will bring penitence for our sins, humility, ceasing of oppression, feeding the hungry, and meeting others needs. Ritualistic observances should be secondary to the weightier matters of the Law, such as true and honest judgment, mercy, and faith (Matthew 23:23). As James said centuries after Isaiah, it is not enough to just wish the poor and needy well, or say that we will pray for them. We must also act upon our words (James 2:15-16).
In case anyone might think that this is promoting a works-based salvation, it is not. We cannot be saved by our works without faith in Jesus Christ. However, our faith lacks sincerity if it doesn’t reach out to others. True fasting is more than what we don’t eat. It is pleasing God by applying His Word to our daily actions with others.
In closing, Isaiah gave some promises that the Lord made to those who truly follow Him and His Word. When we follow and obey the Lord, He promises to watch over us. He will be our rearguard (vs. 8). He’s got our back (Romans 8:31). The Lord will guide us (vs. 11). Not some other human, nor even an angel, but the Lord Himself. As He promised in Hebrews 13:5, He has not, and will not ever leave us!
No comments:
Post a Comment