Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV Strong's)
6 “Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
What is Real Fasting
In today’s world focused on body shape and weight loss, fasting has taken on a completely different framework than we read about in Scripture. Today’s fasting is for the purpose of self improvement. It is a pathway to self fulfillment. In the Old Testament God declared a fast for the purpose of pursuing Him and showing a contrite heart. It was for the purpose of seeking God’s favor. Notice what the writer says about King David:
2 Samuel 12:16 (ESV Strong's)
16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.
David sought the life of his sick child. However, the nation of Israel abused the fast. They made it about them, as we do today. For this God spoke the above condemnation. Notice what matters to God in this passage. It is not the way we think of a fast. God sees the fast as showing Godliness. In the above passage we see that the fast is showing mercy to others. It is about caring for others. It is about putting others before self. Jesus put us before Himself. That is the fast God honors. Skipping a meal or meals for your physical well being probably has some physiological benefit. That action could be seen as giving up something (a meal) for some physical benefit. But, the fast that Isaiah is talking about is giving up something for SOMEONE else. That is a real FAST.
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