Isaiah 58 Footnotes

58:1-8 The people who had been fasting questioned its value since it seemed to have brought no result (v. 3). In spite of their supposed “delight” to know God’s ways (v. 2) and their desire for his righteous judgments, he had not responded. The prophet’s explanation suggested that their fasting was a religious ritual that made no difference in how they conducted their lives; they continued to quarrel and to oppress the weaker members of their community (vv. 3-4). The “fast” the Lord wanted, and to which he would respond, was to deal with the inequities that had broken the solidarity of the covenant community (vv. 6-7). God is not to be coerced by rituals that seek to bend his will to that of the worshiper, as pagan rites were intended to do. He responds to heartfelt commitment to his purposes, as defined in the covenant. The law had said, “There will be no poor among you” (Dt 15:4).