The Fast God Chooses
"Share your bread with the hungry"
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What does it say?
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The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
God's people complained that they fasted and God didn't notice, but on their fast days they mistreated workers and fought. God said the fast he chooses is to break the chains of wickedness, set the oppressed free, share bread with the hungry, and shelter the poor. Then, he promised, "your light will break forth like the dawn," and when they called, he would say, "Here I am."
Where it is in the Bible: Isaiah 58
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cry Aloud | 58:1-2 | God's people look religious but miss the point |
| 2. "Why Don't You See?" | 58:3-5 | Their fasting is mixed with cruelty |
| 3. The Fast God Chooses | 58:6-7 | Set people free and feed the hungry |
| 4. Your Light Will Break Forth | 58:8-12 | God promises light, healing, and help |
| 5. The Sabbath a Delight | 58:13-14 | God's day of rest is a gift |
Before You Read
Who it's for. God's people after they came home from exile. They were rebuilding, worshiping, and fasting. But something was wrong.
What a fast is. Fasting means going without food for a time, to pray and turn to God. God's people fasted on special days.
What this passage is. God answers people who complain that he isn't noticing their fasting. He tells them what kind of fast he really wants.
How to read it. Notice the big "if... then" promises in the second half.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 5Cry Aloud
"Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram's horn" (58:1). A ram's horn was blown like a trumpet.
God tells his prophet to tell the people their sins.
They look like they love God. They come every day and seem eager to know his ways.
Section 2 of 5"Why Don't You See?"
The people complain: "Why have we fasted, and You have not seen?" (58:3).
God answers. On their fast days, they still do whatever they want. They mistreat their workers. They fight and argue.
Bowing your head and sitting in ashes isn't what God is looking for.
Section 3 of 5The Fast God Chooses
"Isn't this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke?" (58:6).
The oppressed are people being crushed by others.
"Isn't it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him" (58:7).
Section 4 of 5Your Light Will Break Forth
"Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will come quickly" (58:8).
"Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry out, and He will say, 'Here I am.'" (58:9).
If they stop blaming and gossiping, and give themselves to the hungry, their darkness will become like noon.
"You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (58:11).
They will be called "Repairer of the Breach" (58:12). A breach is a hole in a wall. They will rebuild what was broken.
Section 5 of 5The Sabbath a Delight
God's holy day isn't a burden. "If you call the Sabbath a delight" (58:13).
Instead of doing whatever they please, they can rest in God. "Then you will delight yourself in the LORD" (58:14).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Why have we fasted, and You have not seen?" (58:3) | They thought God owed them for their religion. |
| "You oppress all your workers" (58:3) | Their worship didn't match how they treated people. |
| "Set the oppressed free" (58:6) | God wants people freed from what crushes them. |
| "Share your bread with the hungry" (58:7) | Real worship includes caring for people in need. |
| "He will say, 'Here I am.'" (58:9) | God is near to people who care for others. |
| "Repairer of the Breach" (58:12) | God's people help rebuild what's broken. |
Back Then
Sackcloth and ashes were signs of sorrow. People wore rough cloth and sat in ashes when they fasted or mourned.
Workers were paid daily. Holding back a worker's pay hurt families who needed it to eat that night (Deuteronomy 24:15).
Jesus taught about fasting. He said not to fast to be seen by others (Matthew 6:16-18).
Literal Reader Alert
Is fasting bad? No. Jesus fasted, and many Christians fast in Lent. God was warning about fasting while being cruel to others.
Do I have to earn God's answer by helping people? God answers because he is gracious. But God loves to be near people who share his care for the hungry and oppressed.
Should I bring homeless people into my home? Talk with a trusted adult about how your family can help people in need safely. There are many ways to share bread and clothing.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The people | Frustrated | They thought God ignored their fasting (58:3) |
| Workers | Mistreated | They were oppressed (58:3) |
| The hungry | Satisfied | God's people share their bread (58:10) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What would God's kind of "fast" look like for you? Tap one.
Share
Share your food, clothes, or time with someone who needs it.
Stand up
Help someone who is being treated unfairly.
Stop pointing
God mentions "the pointing of the finger." Stop blaming.
Rest
God calls his day a delight. Take time to rest in him.
You Might Have Heard
"Going to church makes you a good person."
What's true: Worship is good. God wants his people to gather.
What the passage is mainly about: God's people worshiped and fasted, but treated workers badly and fought. God wanted worship that shows up in kindness: setting people free, feeding the hungry, and sheltering the poor.
Where Jesus is: Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me" (Matthew 25:40).
Good News
God doesn't just want rituals. He wants his people to share his heart for the hungry and oppressed.
"Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry out, and He will say, 'Here I am.'" (58:9).
Jesus broke every chain. He fed the hungry and set people free. And he makes his people into repairers and restorers.
God's chosen fast is to set people free and share bread with the hungry. Then his light breaks forth like the dawn.
Big Idea
God doesn't want empty fasting. His chosen fast is to set the oppressed free and share bread with the hungry. Then your light will break forth like the dawn.
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther said fasting can be good training for the body, but it never earns God's favor. True worship flows into love for our neighbor.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Isaiah 58:1-9a on the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany. In Year C, it reads Isaiah 58:9b-14 in August (Lectionary 21). It is also read on Ash Wednesday.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will come quickly.
How did that feel?
You finished The Fast God Chooses.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany Year AFirst reading, Isaiah 58:1–9a [9b–12]
- Lectionary 21 Year CFirst reading, Isaiah 58:9b–14
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The Fast God Chooses, explained in plain words. God's people fast and complain he doesn't notice. God tells them what he wants. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/the-fast-god-chooses/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church