Sin, Fasting, and the Lord’s Day
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Isaiah
53. An expository study of
Isaiah, chapter 58
Cry aloud against sin!
“Cry aloud; do
not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their
transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins” (v.1). This is a forthright command,
emphatic and clear, that God gives to anyone, who can be considered His
mouthpiece. I can only see two possible reasons why someone would choose to
disobey, to soft-pedal, or undermine the importance of God’s command. 1) He
chooses to ignore it, succumbing to popularity, a feigned compassion and good standing
with people. Such a person is not worthy to be called a servant of God. 2) He
might argue that this is an Old Testament command, directed solely towards
Israel. A little scrutiny of the New Testament will destroy that argument.
My study of the gospels has
shown me that Jesus was more than a gentle, kind shepherd, mingling with
sinners and enjoying their company. Consider the Lord’s statement to His disciples
concerning a major part of His ministry: “If
I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but
now they have no excuse for their sin” (Jn.15:22). He uncovered their sin
and guilt and called it by its name.
Some may speculate that this
was directed particularly to the religious leaders, but the context gives us no
indication that this was anything less than a word to the general population of
sinners. His instruction to both the lame man and the adulterous woman was “Sin no more” (Jn.5:14; 8:11). All the examples
of His dealing with sin during the 3 ½ years of public speaking are too
numerous to list.
He also revealed the
consequences of sin, referring more to hell, than He did to heaven. “Fear him,” He warned, “who can destroy both soul and body in hell”
(Mt.10:28, see other examples, solely in Matthew…Mt.5:22,29,30; 18:9; 23:15).
Paul spoke eloquently against sin and taught his young followers to do the
same. Speaking especially of leaders in the church, he commanded Timothy, “As for those who persist in sin, rebuke
them in the presence of all, so that
the rest may stand in fear” (1
Ti.5:20). This is a command often ignored today, when sin and error are swept
under the rug or, at best, discussed by a few behind closed doors. The general
body of believers must be informed of the sin of leadership, in order to
rightly assess their influence upon all.
He instructed Titus, “The grace
of God has appeared… training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions… waiting
for… our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem
us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people… Declare these
things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you” (Tit.2:11-15).
As the New Testament draws to a close,
more than ever, the apostles Peter, John, and Jude warn against the increasing
deception of sin and its punishment, terminating explosively in the book of
Revelation.
There is a very apparent
hypocrisy in Israel that seems all too much like situations that we observe in
these days. Because it is so, we must give this subject its worthy space and
attention: “They seek me daily and
delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and
did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments;
they delight to draw near to God” (v.2).
Remember… this is a
condemnation of hypocrisy, not of spiritual hunger or time taken in order to know
God and walk in His ways. However, we must surely see this as an attendance to
all kinds of Bible teaching and conferences with biblical themes, but without
an indication of a transformation of heart. I, for one, am not satisfied that
people come away with simply a positive reaction. Is there something in our learning
experiences that goes beyond instruction concerning certain principles related
to Scripture? Where is the fruit of Holy
Spirit-penetration that pierces to the core of human existence? Where is the
awesome silence that follows a confrontation with eternal truth? We know so
little of it in these times.
A true fast
“Why have we
fasted and you see it not?” Again, this is not a condemnation of fasting, but of
an improper attitude involving any kind of religious activity. Perhaps an abuse
of fasting is not a particular subject that needs to be addressed in most Western
Christian circles in our times. Too little fasting is done by too few people,
so apply this to any effort that you will, in which Christians arrive at the
same false conclusions, as the Jews did in Isaiah’s day.
We must clarify also that
Isaiah is not attacking genuine humility, when he quotes the people’s question,
“Why have we humbled ourselves, and you
take no knowledge of it?” He is
referring to certain practices, which were done to give the impression of
humility, such as keeping a downward gaze and wearing sackcloth and sitting in
ashes.
We must apply this to other
outward actions done in our times for the same purpose of flaunting our spirituality.
Why is God not impressed with our radical commitment and devotion? Doesn’t God
see our apparent humility? The real question is, has our pride been broken and
do we have a contrite heart? Notice the evidence of egocentric carnality: “You
seek your own pleasure and oppress all your workers… you fast only to quarrel.”
Where is the evidence that we have gotten God’s attention and where is the proof
that God has accepted our effort? “Fasting
like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high… Will you call
this… a day acceptable to the Lord?” (v.3,4)
Some have tried to imply that
Isaiah is bringing an end to literal fasting and is teaching that humanitarian
activities take its place. That is simply taking a single portion of Scripture
and making it become a general doctrine, which is always a clear indication of
false interpretation. Their conclusion cannot be justified in the New
Testament.
Jesus did not eliminate
fasting as a literal Christian practice. He taught, “When you fast…” (Mt.6:16).
“When the bridegroom shall be taken away
from them, and then shall they fast in
those days” (Mt.9:15). The same
ones, who claim that fasting is not to be a general activity in the church,
will try to say that Christ’s absence is spiritual and as long as we “sense”
His presence, there is no need for fasting.
That is a very far-fetched conclusion,
almost too ridiculous to even be considered, were it not that some believe it.
Whenever Jesus referred to leaving His disciples, it was meant in a literal sense
and that He was going to be with the Father. As long as that is the case,
Christians will fast. Please see Acts 10:30 and 14:23. (In Mark 9:29, only the
Vatican manuscript omits the word fasting…
all others include it.) Besides all this, it is poor doctrine indeed that
claims that Christ will in any way abandon His church in a spiritual sense.
What are we to learn from
these verses? (v.5-8). First of all, that the humility that should be acquired
through fasting is synonymous with selflessness. It turns our attention away
from selfish desires and even our own needs, in order to concentrate on those
of others. It is the quality that must be present in lives that turns them in
the direction of true missionary work. Beyond a simply humanitarian work, it
produces faith in God, in order that we might work with Him in supernatural
ways. It brings spiritual freedom: “To
loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the
oppressed go free, and to break every yoke.”
When the heart is sincerely
turned in God’s direction, then we can expect to make connection with heaven.
In verse 8, we see three blessings poured out upon His people… light, healing,
and righteousness: “Then shall your
light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you.” Darkness flees and the people of
God will have clear direction and truth will be unveiled. It will be seen in
their daily walk. The decrepit, halting walk in the flesh will be replaced by
the healthy ways of the Spirit and righteousness will be their habitual
practice. These are the fruits of a Holy Spirit-led body.
Prayer will take its proper
place at the head of all activity. It will be a living, productive force, a
source of power, as well as a place of intimacy with the Lord. He will be a
reality and will manifest Himself: “Then
you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here
I am’”. There must always be a removal of the works of fallen man, before
the glory of God can shine through. “If
you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and
speaking wickedness” (v.9). The pointing of the finger was not so much an
accusatory sign, as a sign of disdain and of disrespect.
All the negative traits that mark
the society of fallen man disappear and are replaced with respect, compassion
and a concern for one’s neighbor. It is the difference between night and day.
The prophet describes the gloomiest times of a transformed society as the
noonday. Divine guidance will not be an exception, but the normal rule of life,
and so will there be a continual supply of blessing, which the text compares to
a spring of water. The Lord will intervene in times of difficulty and turn them
into days of satisfaction. The inward parts of the people will be made strong
and there will be a freshness and vitality in their lives and their labors. (v.10-11).
Man’s control always has
negative connotations. When God blesses His people, there is every evidence of
life and edification. Instead of decay and ruin, there will be repair. They
will build the foundations for many generations to come. They will be known for
fixing things that are in disrepair, and builders who provide proper
habitations (v.12).
The Lord’s Day
“If you turn
back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and
call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor
it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then
you shall take delight in the Lord” (v.13,14). Not too far back, I
promised that I would have something to say about the Christian Sabbath. I will
not comment on the spiritual rest that is typified by the Sabbath, but I do
want all to know that I certainly recognize that it is the doctrine, to which
the writer refers in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4. Only Jesus Christ brings us into
true rest, when we lean upon the work that He alone can do for us, in order
that we should have peace with God. He must rest from our efforts to attain it
and trust in Him, for our eternal rest, beginning here and made perfect in
heaven.
There is also a point made at
the end of the Gospels about the first day of the week. The seventh day of the
week was the day, when the Lord rested from the work of creation, blessing that
day. God commanded the Israelites to keep the Sabbath as a day set apart from
the rest of the week to honor the Lord by averting manual labor. Obviously the
day following the Sabbath was the first day of the week.
It was on that day that Jesus
rose from the dead. On the Sabbath, the women who prepared spices for His body “rested according to the commandment, but
on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb… behold, two
men stood by them in dazzling apparel… The men said to them… ‘He is not here,
but has risen…’” (Lk.23:56, 24:1,4,5,6). Then in John 20:19: “On the evening of that day, the first day
of the week… Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with
you.’” In verse 26, “Eight days
later… Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” The
eighth day was again the first day of the week. John is making sure that the
reader will not miss the fact that Jesus rose and appeared to His disciples on
the first day of the week.
Pentecost took place 50 days
after the Resurrection, therefore the Holy Spirit was poured out on the first
day of the week. It was the day, when they began to assemble: “On the first day of the week, when we were
gathered together to break bread…” (Ac.20:7) and “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside
and store it up…” (1 Co.16:2). That
day came to be known among Christians as the Lord’s Day, therefore John said in
Revelation, “I was in the Spirit on the
Lord’s day…” (1:10).
In the early church, it became
a day set apart to honor the resurrected Lord. They began the week giving Him priority
in their lives, meeting, praying and reading from His word, dedicating the upcoming
week to Him on the first day. This custom became very firmly established in the
early church. When Paul wrote, “One
person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days
alike” (Ro.14:5), he was
referring to Jewish Christians and the Jewish holy days, which were very
difficult for the Jewish believer to leave behind (so infer Jamieson Fausset
Brown, Matthew Henry, Adam Clarke).
Albert Barnes adds, “The ‘Lord’s day’ was doubtless observed by ‘all’
Christians, whether converted from Jews or Gentiles. The propriety of observing
‘that day’ does not appear to have been a matter of controversy.” He
reprimanded the man, who used this verse as an excuse for not honoring the Lord
Jesus, as stated in verse 6. Fasting has become unpopular among “Christians”
and so has the recognition of the Lord’s Day.
True Christians have honored
the Lord on this day from the 1st Century to the time, when I was a
youth. I have watched this day become common and unholy during my lifetime, as
Barnes further said, people began “violating
it and devoting it to pleasure or gain.” Our arrogance has allowed us to
think that we know better than all the believers throughout the history of the
church. The subject is rarely brought up these days and that is the reason that
I am particularly emphasizing it.
Now go back and read what
Isaiah had to say about taking delight and pleasure in honoring the Lord, “not going your own ways, or seeking your
own pleasure, or talking idly.” Isaiah concludes the chapter with a promise
of a superior way of life for the Jews, one into which we can be grafted, as
Gentiles, under the New Covenant: “Then
you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of
the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the
mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
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