Isaiah 58:5-9 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush… I. GOD'S PURPOSE IN COMMANDING MEN TO FAST. 1. To lead us to prayer (ver. 4), prayer so real that our voices are "heard on high," that God will hear and answer. 2. To aid us in realizing communion with Him (ver. 9); that His voice be heard by us as truly as ours by Him; our voice to Him (ver. 8), His to us. 3. To aid in repressing self in all its forms. In John 3:30, we have the general principle, also in Philippians 2:8. II. THE NATURE OR CHARACTER OF TRUE ABSTINENCE. 1. To loose our bands (Luke 13:16), "whom Satan hath bound" (Luke 11:21, 22; Matthew 5:29, 30). 2. To undo our burdens (Psalm 55:22; Matthew 11:28-30). 3. To break every yoke, every habit that enslaves (Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 6:12-18). "I will not be brought under the power of any." 4. To bring the flesh into subjection to the spirit (Galatians 5:17). III. THE EFFECT OF TRUE ABSTINENCE. 1. "Then" thy light shall break forth like morning (Philippians 2:15, 16; Matthew 5:16). 2. "Thy righteousness shall go before thee ' as a leader to higher grace and glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). 3. Thy prayer shall be heard (ver. 9). 4. There shall be light from on high, and His guidance for ever (ver. 10; Psalm 32:8; Exodus 33:14).Conclusion: To keep this season properly, we must be ourselves "free" as now creatures in Him. We must act habitually in the spirit of freedom (Galatians 5:1). We must do what in us lies to make others free (Numbers 10:29). (H. Linton, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? |
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