Isaiah 58:3 - ‘Why have we fasted,’ say they, ‘and you don’t see? Why have we afflicted our soul, and you don’t notice?’ “Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and oppress all your laborers.
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What does "Isaiah 58:3" mean?
This verse from Isaiah 58:3 highlights the hypocrisy of the people's fasting. Let's break it down:
"‘Why have we fasted,’ say they, ‘and you don’t see? Why have we afflicted our soul, and you don’t notice?’" This is the people's complaint to God. They're saying they've been religiously observing fasts, depriving themselves, and humbling themselves (afflicting their soul), but they don't perceive that God is acknowledging their efforts or answering their prayers. They feel their piety is going unnoticed and unrewarded.
“Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and oppress all your laborers." This is God's response, pointing out the flaws in their fasting. He's saying:
"you find pleasure": Even while fasting, they are still pursuing their own selfish interests and enjoying earthly delights. This could refer to things like focusing on business deals, indulging in fine foods the moment the fast is over, or pursuing other personal pleasures. It indicates their fasting isn't truly about self-denial and seeking God. It's merely a superficial observance.
"oppress all your laborers": They are exploiting and mistreating their workers, likely by demanding labor even on the day they are supposed to be fasting, or by taking advantage of them financially. This reveals a lack of genuine compassion and social justice.
In essence, the verse is critiquing the people for engaging in fasting as a mere ritual without true repentance or a change of heart. They're going through the motions of religious observance, but their actions contradict the spirit of fasting, which should involve humility, self-reflection, and a concern for the well-being of others. God is highlighting that true fasting involves not just abstaining from food, but also abstaining from sin and injustice. It's not enough to simply deny oneself something physical; they must also deny themselves selfish desires and treat others with fairness and compassion.
Isaiah 58:3 - ‘Why have we fasted,’ say they, ‘and you don’t see? Why have we afflicted our soul, and you don’t notice?’ “Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and oppress all your laborers.
What does "Isaiah 58:3" mean?
This verse from Isaiah 58:3 highlights the hypocrisy of the people's fasting. Let's break it down:
"‘Why have we fasted,’ say they, ‘and you don’t see? Why have we afflicted our soul, and you don’t notice?’" This is the people's complaint to God. They're saying they've been religiously observing fasts, depriving themselves, and humbling themselves (afflicting their soul), but they don't perceive that God is acknowledging their efforts or answering their prayers. They feel their piety is going unnoticed and unrewarded.
“Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and oppress all your laborers." This is God's response, pointing out the flaws in their fasting. He's saying:
"you find pleasure": Even while fasting, they are still pursuing their own selfish interests and enjoying earthly delights. This could refer to things like focusing on business deals, indulging in fine foods the moment the fast is over, or pursuing other personal pleasures. It indicates their fasting isn't truly about self-denial and seeking God. It's merely a superficial observance.
"oppress all your laborers": They are exploiting and mistreating their workers, likely by demanding labor even on the day they are supposed to be fasting, or by taking advantage of them financially. This reveals a lack of genuine compassion and social justice.
In essence, the verse is critiquing the people for engaging in fasting as a mere ritual without true repentance or a change of heart. They're going through the motions of religious observance, but their actions contradict the spirit of fasting, which should involve humility, self-reflection, and a concern for the well-being of others. God is highlighting that true fasting involves not just abstaining from food, but also abstaining from sin and injustice. It's not enough to simply deny oneself something physical; they must also deny themselves selfish desires and treat others with fairness and compassion.