Isaiah 58:1-12 – Feeding on Christ: Fasting (Part 1)

Introduction

Yes/no…either/or…on/off…0/1. We as people live in the idea of this or that, one or the other. In general, humans are binary creatures. But God…God is a God of the both/and. Justice and Mercy. Wrath and love. Why do we as his creatures who are to image him so quickly move to polarization? In a word…sin. Tuck that away for a moment.

Now, what comes to your mind when you hear the words social justice in relation to the church? Maybe a liberal church that has abandoned the inerrancy and infallibility of the Scripture. And possibly the urge to steer clear of anything remotely close to this. Or maybe you might say that the church should be more engaged in that and are saddened that we aren’t engaged in our community in this way. 

What if I told you that justice and the church is one of those both/ands? What if I told you that God said that the one thing he requires of us is to seek and do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly before him (Is. 1:17; Micah 6:8)?

Today is the first of two sermons on fasting. In this sermon we are going to see what fasting is and isn’t. We will see that religious rites without a heart that aligns with God is empty and worthless, our life in Christ is a both/and not an either/or. To have a biblical fast is to do so out of a life aligned with the character of God which cares for others, seeks and does justice, loves mercy, and walks humbly before God.

Background

The book of Isaiah can be easily divided into three sections. The first section (1-39) tells of Judah’s sins, God’s plans to judge them, and salvation coming through the Prince of Peace, Jesus.

The second section (40-55) prophesies of the Messiah who will come as a Suffering Servant who will die and rise for humanity.

The last section, (56–66) tells of salvation and judgment, and the ultimate hope, a new heaven and new earth where God is worshipped and glorified forever. This is the section where our passage falls under.

Exposition

Let me begin by looking a brief history of fasting from the Bible.

First, in the OT, there is only one command to fast and that is found in Lev. 16:29-34, Lev. 23:26-32, and Num. 29:7-11. This fasting was only one time a year, and it was on the Day of Atonement. The Israelites were to quite literally, “afflict themselves” or “afflict their soul”. How do you do that? It was understood as the idea of abstaining from food, but it was more than that. They were to demonstrate in their life the humbling of their souls by wearing sackcloth, mourning, and praying. It represented that they were saved by God’s grace and needed God’s redemption.

It seems that during the times of the kings and prophets, fasting developed into more than simply something that was done on the Day of Atonement to represent God’s people’s humility and dependence upon him. It ended up including much more.

Second, in the NT fasting carries the idea of abstinence from food, but can also hold a metaphorical meaning of “keeping from evil or pollution”, or perhaps a “humiliation of mind” before God.

And so, both the OT and NT believers fasted. This is why Jesus says, “whenever you fast” not “if you fast.” It appears to have been used to express grief, penitence, to punish oneself for wrongdoing, and a way to humble oneself. It was also used to secure guidance, help, and a hearing from God. Apart from the idea of punishment, all of these ideas can be found in Scripture, and depending on the heart of the individual, excepting punishing self, they are not wrong. You see, you shouldn’t punish yourself, to pay for your sin, instead you go to Jesus, repent, and find forgiveness in him. Afflicting our bodies doesn’t earn us anything.

For our first point, let’s look at What fasting isn’t

There are inherent dangers in fasting if our hearts are not right. Isaiah 58:1-12 tells us everything we need to know about the inappropriate and appropriate heart attitude of fasting.

In these verses, God is talking to his people. In verse 1, God tells the prophet Isaiah to really let his people have it. They need to be told about their transgression and their sins. In verse 2 we see that they are apparently seeking God daily and taking pleasure in knowing God's ways, what he wants, as if they were a people that lived in righteousness and were obeying God's law, as if they were trying to figure out God’s will and taking great pleasure in drawing near to God. In other words, externally, things look good.

But we see something wrong in verse 3a. They are frustrated with God, so they ask him a question, “Why are we fasting, when you aren't paying any attention to us? Why are you ignoring us. Why are we fasting, humbling ourselves, but you aren't listening or paying attention? You aren’t doing what we expect! Why are you ignoring us?”

God answers their question point blank in verse 3b. He tells them that they aren't really seeking him, seeking his face, which is the point of fasting. Instead, they are living for their own pleasure. Their fasting is simply a mechanism they used to get what they wanted. I fast you give. I fast you help. I fast you give wisdom. A this for that. Last time I checked, God doesn’t work like this. God is not obligated to do what we say. God is gracious and so external righteousness doesn’t do anything. Our righteousness is found in Christ and in thirsting for Christ, it is feeding on Christ. Which is what fasting is.

It shows in many ways: First, in the way they treated the people who work for them. They oppress them. They aren't living a life of mercy and kindness. They aren't living as if everyone is made in God's image and should be treated with dignity and respect. Instead, they are using others for their own advantage, just like they are trying to use God! To them, fasting was a mechanism…you put a quarter in a slot which happens to be the currency of you not eating, and out comes guidance for what to do in your life. God doesn’t work like this. He is not a cosmic bellhop for us. He loves us and does good for us, but it is his good in his way and in his time.

Second, their fasting doesn't lead to humility and love in life, it only leads to more quarreling and fighting with one another. In fact, their lives are filled with violence toward others. This kind of thing only happens when they are living for themselves.

The kind of fast that they were doing does absolutely no good. God won't hear them for it. He won't do anything for them because of it. It is just an empty action. Why? Because the fast is coming from an empty heart, or rather, a heart that is full of itself.

For our second point, let’s look at What fasting is

Is it simply a day when a person humbles themself by not eating? Is it a day where a person lays on their face before God and wears clothes and puts ashes on their heads to show a life of sorrow and misery? Is this the kind of thing that God wants? Is this the kind of thing that God is asking for in a fast? Merely external actions?

A fast for freedom

No, in verse 6 we see the fast that God wants. It is a fast from doing evil and a dedication to him, to doing works of righteousness and salvation. God wants his people to fast from their wickedness. He wants them to fast from oppressing those whom they are taking advantage of. He wants them to help free everyone who is being oppressed by the rulers and people who in power. He wants them to use their energy and power to bring redemption and hope to others.

What God is getting at is that the people were living for themselves all the time, he wanted them to live dedicated to him, to live a holy life in worship and service he redeemed them and wants them to live in the reality that they couldn’t do anything without him and are helpless and dependent upon him. He also wants them to help others who are also helpless and dependent. If he would send his Son to die for their sin, to become helpless and dependent, and ultimately die for their sake, then it makes no sense to serve themselves. Fasting and denying themselves food so they can get God to do stuff for them makes no sense.

Fast for others characterized by activity

Instead of not eating to get an advantage for themselves with God, he in verse 7 tells them that he wants them to share their food with others. He wants them to find those who have no food and give their food to them. He wants them to find the homeless and bring them into their homes so that they have shelter from the cruelty of the world. He wants them to find the people without clothes and use their own goods and money to give them clothing. He wants them to take care of those in their own family or clan that are needy. He wants them to stop hiding away in their homes in comfort and living for themselves.

The point of fasting then is to be sensitive to the needs of others. When you fast, you get connected to the heart of God and the heart of God is a heart of compassion, mercy, and grace to others. So, when you have a true fast you have sensitivity toward others as well. Essentially, it is to be more like God. We are to try to rescue others, to release the oppressed, to unload other’s burdens.

To sum it up…we are called to help each other and not hide from other's needs. We are to cultivate sensitivity to God and others. You can’t just love God in your private worship time and not do it in your life. Though the people have their liturgy straight, they aren’t living it out in their life, with a life of compassion and love.

The reward of correct fasting and living

In verse 8 God says that if they do this, then they will shine like a light in their villages, towns, cities. Then God will come and bring healing to them and their land quickly. Then the presence of the Lord will be with them and he will protect them from their enemies. Then when they call on God, he will hear them. Then he will answer them and tell them that he is right there with them.

Essentially, the benefits of a biblically sound fast that comes from a heart that loves God and others are the following:

First, their testimony in their local community and throughout the world will be clear and bright. If you live a life of justice and mercy, your life will be a testimony that is clear and bright, even if they hate your message and it is foolishness to them. The glory of God will shine through them as they behave like their Father in heaven.

Second, their prayers to God will not only be heard but will be answered. They will call out to the Lord and God will say, “Here I am.” Isn’t this crazy? You pray to God and he says, “I’m right here with you.” As they seek God for himself, not for themselves, but because he is awesome in himself, they will get him for who he is, a present, active God who desires a relationship with his creatures. Isn’t that awesome? If you seek God, if you love God, you will get God in a present, active relationship. It isn’t about religion, religiosity, it is about relationship.

Third, their life of service would shine in the watching community. Their gloominess will go away and they will be seen as bright shining lights as they care for others.

Fourth, they would have a life of fellowship with God. This life of fellowship would be so real that God will guide them continually. He will satisfy their needs and strengthen them. Because of this communion with God they will be a source of life to a watching world.

Fifth, they would be reestablished as a community of God’s people. They would know and experience the reality that God is their God, and they are God’s people as a community. This community will be rich and full, not rich financially, but rich in relationships, will teach its children the way of the Lord, and they will see a solid communion with God for many generations.

The heart of the matter

Can you see what the problem was and what God was driving at? Fasting had become something of a religious talisman, it was corrupted. It was something that the people were using to try to get God to listen to them or do something for them. But the problem was that their hearts were not aligned with God’s heart. They were not living a Godward life. They were living a self-centered life of oppression.

And so, the prophet Isaiah wants the people of Israel to know that a true fast is rooted in the love of God and others.

Application

Now that we have seen that fasting is a matter of the heart, let’s look at it a little deeper. And see how it relates to the present day.

Dangers of fasting

We have seen that there are very real dangers to fasting. First is that when we are living misaligned with God’s justice, we can use fasting to think that we are living a truly pious life when we really aren’t. Fasting can be used to trick us. Fasting doesn’t necessarily mean you are in right relationship with God.

Second, we can use fasting like a talisman. We can use it for selfish gain. We can think that God will listen to us and give us what we want in life if we fast, but true fasting is the humbling of self before God and following his ways of love to others.

Third, along the same lines we can use it as a way of getting noticed by others and getting a reward for being pious and religious. In other words, we can get recognized by others and get praise and privilege.

In all of these things, the danger is that instead of fasting being a matter of the heart where we are drawing closer to God and feeding upon Christ, instead, we are feeding upon others or God to get what we want. It is ironic. There is a kind of fasting that is a gluttony for self. I’m getting stuff for me. I’m feeling good about myself. I’m growing in my religiosity. But fasting is supposed to be a humble reliance upon God.

The heart of the matter

Fasting is a question of where our heart is: the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart. What are our motives for fasting? Are we doing these things because we are grateful for Jesus' work in calling us into his kingdom, or because of the reward he offers us?

Worshipping Jesus

When we look at what God is saying to his people in Isaiah 58, what we are seeing is that God wants his people to live a life that shows the reality of their redemption. They are a people who have been redeemed by the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He purchased our freedom through his work. And this freedom he gave us is to be used to live free and to help free others.

In Jesus’ sermon in Luke 4, he read Is. 61:1-2, which says, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And then after he rolled up the scroll, he said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

When he read this, it was not long after he had finished a 40 day fast in the wilderness. After fasting, he was baptized, empowered with the Spirit, and went out healing the sick, making the lame walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear, casting out demons, and raising the dead. His fast produced action in his life. Why? Because Jesus’ internal heart was aligned with his external actions. His fast was all about God.

Jesus loved God with all his being and loved his neighbor as himself. There was no religiosity in Jesus. His fast was about communion and relationship with God. His heart was in the right place.

As Christians, we have been redeemed by God through Christ’s sacrifice in our place. We have been given his righteousness. Our lives should be actively lived in a way that shows the world who we are, children of God. We should live our lives in single-hearted devotion to God. Our fasting should simply be another piece of living our lives dedicated to God and feeding upon Jesus Christ.

When we fast, we should not live as either/or people, but live as people who are both/and people…dedicated to God and seeking and living out justice for those who are around us.