Isaiah 58 - Hypocrisy Exposed and Rebuked

Having revealed the ways and the doom of the wicked in chapter 57, the prophet was inspired to reveal and rebuke the hypocrisy that was rampant in national Israel in this chapter.

Isaiah 58:1 (HCSB) “Cry out loudly, don’t hold back! Raise your voice like a trumpet. Tell My people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sins."

Isaiah is told by God to trumpet national Israel's sins to them - make it know widely to all. This is similar in intensity to the prior command to proclaim the good news, make it known to all (chapter 52). The balance of this short chapter is just that.

Isaiah 58:2-3a (HCSB) "They seek Me day after day and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not abandon the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.” “Why have we fasted, but You have not seen? We have denied ourselves, but You haven’t noticed!”

YHWH taunts Israel, acknowledging they APPEAR to seek Him, like a nation that does right in the eyes of God. They ask for righteous judgment and delight (this word is used several times in this chapter) in being close to Him. And yet - their actions speak louder than their words, as we shall see. Israel pointed to their pious actions and complain that God has not noticed. When Moses pleaded with God to NOT destroy the Hebrew nation, He did not tout their pious acts - He pleaded for God to remember His promise and act to keep His name from being profaned among the pagans. When people brag on their deeds of piety they are waving a flag of self-righteousness. Our desires to be close to God MUST be based on His righteousness for His glory and NEVER on our acts of piety.

Isaiah 58:3b-7 (HCSB) “Look, you do as you please on the day of your fast, and oppress all your workers. You fast ⌊with⌋ contention and strife to strike viciously with ⌊your⌋ fist. You cannot fast as ⌊you do⌋ today, ⌊hoping⌋ to make your voice heard on high. Will the fast I choose be like this: A day for a person to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? Isn’t the fast I choose: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to ignore your own flesh ⌊and blood⌋?"

Here is YHWH's response. He exposes their hypocrisy, as they treat the fast as a trifle while dealing wickedly with their workers and others. The fast respected by YHWH is one where a person denies himself in true humility and thanksgiving; when he breaks the chains of oppression rather than forges them, when he frees workers from the heavy yoke and shares bread with the hungry and his home and clothing with the poor. We see here a preview into the kingdom that Christ would bring to His people - where bearing one another's burden fulfills the law of Christ (Gal 6:2; James 2:1, 8-9; Matt 25:31-46)

Isaiah 58:8-12 (HCSB) Then your light will appear like the dawn, and your recovery will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the LORD’s glory will be your rear guard. At that time, when you call, the LORD will answer; when you cry out, He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you get rid of the yoke among you, the finger-pointing and malicious speaking, and if you offer yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted one, then your light will shine in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday. The LORD will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose waters never run dry. Some of you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the foundations laid long ago; you will be called the repairer of broken walls, the restorer of streets where people live.

IF the people of Israel would truly humble themselves they would see a great light dawning and be healed. They would be clothed with His righteousness and the glory of YHWH would guard them. At that time, if they called upon Him, YHWH would answer - He would be near.

IF they got rid of the heavy yokes of oppression, the blaming, sharp tongues; IF they bore one another's burdens, poured themselves out as a drink offering their light would shine (Matt 5:14-16). YHWH would lead them, heal them, satisfy them - they would be like tree near the water (Psalms 1:3). The ruins and walls would be rebuilt upon the ancient foundation and the city would habitable again. When blessings depend on man's faithfulness, they are hard to come by.

Isaiah 58:13-14 (HCSB) “If you keep from desecrating the Sabbath, from doing whatever you want on My holy day; if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the holy ⌊day⌋ of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, seeking your own pleasure, or talking too much; then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride over the heights of the land, and let you enjoy the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Israel profaned their Sabbath as they had their fasts. Rather than resting in the providential care of God, they did what they pleased. Upon their return from exile, while rebuilding the wall and town of Jerusalem, the Hebrews demonstrated their disdain for the Sabbath - the very sign and testimony of the covenant YHWH had made with Israel (Exodus 34:27 & 28; Deuteronomy 4:13;Nehemiah 13:15-22). They went their own way, seeking their own pleasure, talking endlessly. But IF they kept it, IF they honored it - THEN they would delight in seeing how wonderfully God had been providing for them. THEN God would cause them be victorious over the land, enjoying what was promised to Jacob (this was the land promise made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). This is what YHWH has spoken - it is sure.

The sum of the matter is simple: no man has pure devotion, true piety, true humility that he can parade before God in a demand or plea for His favor. Not to us, not to us, but to thee be the glory! The only plea we have - for we can never be in position to demand ANYTHING from God - is to cry out for mercy. The work of Christ on our behalf is the only work that is pure, the only work acceptable to God. His righteousness is the only cover that can shield is from His wrath.

Venture on Him, venture wholly

Let no other trust intrude

None but Jesus, none but Jesus

Can do helpless sinners good