word

This passage really struck me this morning.

It's the Lord talking directly to Israel, through His prophet, Isaiah.

It's some pretty stern stuff.

But could it be that God is also speaking in this passage directly to us who live in 21st century America?



Isaiah 58:1 "Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast.

  Shout aloud! Don't be timid.

Tell my people Israel of their sins!

2   Yet they act so pious!

They come to the Temple every day

  and seem delighted to learn all about me.

They act like a righteous nation

  that would never abandon the laws of its God.

They ask me to take action on their behalf,

  pretending they want to be near me.


3 'We have fasted before you!' they say.

  'Why aren't you impressed?

We have been very hard on ourselves,

  and you don't even notice it!'



"I will tell you why!" I respond.

  "It's because you are fasting to please yourselves.

Even while you fast,

  you keep oppressing your workers.


4 What good is fasting

  when you keep on fighting and quarreling?

This kind of fasting

  will never get you anywhere with me.


5 You humble yourselves

  by going through the motions of penance,

bowing your heads

  like reeds bending in the wind.

You dress in burlap

  and cover yourselves with ashes.

Is this what you call fasting?

  Do you really think this will please the LORD?



6 "No, this is the kind of fasting I want:

Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;

  lighten the burden of those who work for you.

Let the oppressed go free,

  and remove the chains that bind people.


7 Share your food with the hungry,

  and give shelter to the homeless.

Give clothes to those who need them,

  and do not hide from relatives who need your help.



8 "Then your salvation will come like the dawn,

  and your wounds will quickly heal.

Your godliness will lead you forward,

  and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.


9 Then when you call, the LORD will answer.

  'Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply.



"Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.

  Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!


10 Feed the hungry,

  and help those in trouble.

Then your light will shine out from the darkness,

  and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.


11 The LORD will guide you continually,

  giving you water when you are dry

  and restoring your strength.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

  like an ever-flowing spring.


12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.

  Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls

  and a restorer of homes.



13 "Keep the Sabbath day holy.

  Don't pursue your own interests on that day,

but enjoy the Sabbath

  and speak of it with delight as the LORD's holy day.

Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,

  and don't follow your own desires or talk idly.


14 Then the LORD will be your delight.

  I will give you great honor

and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.

  I, the LORD, have spoken!"