Isaiah 58:1-8 What is the “fast” referred to in Isaiah 58:3? This must be the fast of the Day of Atonement, the only fast commanded by God (Lev: 16:29, Leviticus 16:31; Lev: 23:27-32). This is confirmed in Isaiah 58:3 by the parallel expression “humble ourselves” (NRSV), which follows the terminology of Leviticus. Humbling/afflicting oneself referred to various forms of self-denial, including fasting (compare Ps: 35:13; … Continue reading –>
Isaiah 55:6-13 Why does God say His thoughts and ways are higher than ours, “as the heavens are higher than the earth” ( Isaiah 55.8-9, NRSV)? What do you think that means? There’s no question that the God who created a universe in which even some of the simplest things contain mysteries that our minds cannot begin … Continue reading –>
Isa: 55:1-7 Read this text: “Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat!” (Isa: 55:1, NRSV). What contradiction do you see there? Suppose you took food and stood on the street in a big city and announced to the hungry and homeless there: “Yo, you who have … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Isa: 55:1-7; Isa: 55:6-13; Isa: 58:1-12; Isaiah 58.13-14. Memory Text: “If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday” (Isaiah 58:10). A Jewish cantor (worship leader) and his wife who lived in Lincoln, … Continue reading –>
