ZOE – SW – L10: Fasting – Isaiah 58

Isaiah 58

Dishonest fast

• To please self
• Still oppressing workers – no compassion
• Still fighting and quarreling – no love for neighbor
• Engaging in accusations, gossip & slander
• Doing religious motions of penance – hypocrisy
• Looking holy on the outside – pride & arrogance, hypocrisy

Proper fast

• Showing love & compassion to others
• …. freeing those wrongly imprisoned – justice
• … lightening the burden of workers – freedom from oppression
• … food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, clothes to the needy – generous to the poor
• … not hiding from relatives who need help – being available to help

Benefits of a proper fast

• Salvation will come like the dawn
• Wounds will heal quickly – quick restoration
• Your righteousness will lead to peace and prosperity
• Glory of the Lord will protect one from the unseen
• The Lord will answer ones call quickly

For ones light to shine in the darkness and gloom to become like midday

• Feed the hungry
• Satisfy the need of the afflicted

The Lord will be a continuous guide

• Giving water when we are dry
• Restoring our strength
• Will be like a well watered garden
• … like an ever flowing spring

Some will be empowered to:

• Rebuild & restore ancient city foundations
• Sort out destroyed family / bloodline  foundations
• Restore walls of protection – where the enemy accesses
• Rebuild homes / families

Sabbath is not for

• Pursuing personal interests
• Idle talk
• Grumbling and complaining about it

Sabbath is for

• Being kept holy and dedicated to the Lord
• Speak of it well with joy
• being honored in everything we do

Blessings for honoring the Sabbath

• We shall take pleasure in the Lord
• We shall be greatly honored in the earth
• We shall be satisfied with the inheritance of Jacob

 

Genesis 27:28-29 (AMP)

• … God’s promise to Jacob

²⁸ 
Now may God give you of the dew of heaven [to water your land],
And of the fatness (fertility) of the earth,
And an abundance of grain and ^[d]new wine;
²⁹ 
May peoples serve you,
And nations bow down to you;
Be lord and master over your brothers,
And may your mother’s sons bow down to you.
May those who curse you be cursed,
And may those who bless you be blessed.