Carlton Elkins
Text: Isaiah 58:6-8
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. ”
At this time this fast was probably the day before the Day of Atonement, though possibly one called by the prophet. This fast was for one day, from evening to evening. It was a time for reflection and repentance for their sins during the past year. Although the Scripture does not specifically call for releasing of debts, that was clearly the sentiment of the fast. These were probably unlawful debts, and so, prohibited. Kindness was certainly the lesson in the command to love our neighbor as ourselves.
If they had not gotten the point from Moses, the prophet here certainly made it clear, this day of fasting was a time to undo the heavy burdens; to forgive unlawful debts, give freedom to the oppressed, spiritually, mentally and emotionally broken. Servitude or slavery was not permitted in this context, and God specifically demands that they break every yoke of bondage. In fact, many powerful men were using this day to demand greater servitude from their unfortunate victims, shaming them because they were not doing better and paying more.
He further demands that they feed the hungry, bring the homeless into their own homes, clothe the naked, and not hide themselves from their own flesh. Providing for the poor and hungry was part of the Law. They were not to pick their grape vines the second time, nor go back over their olive trees, nor reap their grain to the edges of the field. That was provision for the poor.
We cannot imagine bringing people into our homes. Many of those people could, and many people today can, not only in America, but even in Japan. Naked does not require absolute nakedness, just not having clothing enough to be decent and warm. Ignoring the needs of these people God called hiding ourselves from them. They need not be blood relatives to be our own flesh. Jews considered all Jews their brothers, and in this sense we should consider all men everywhere our kin, though not in the spiritual family in the strictest sense. Still we are responsible for fellow humans, but I think we have seen that God's formula of personal responsibility is better than government or institutionalized relief.
If we do these things, God makes some promises. Light shall break forth. Prosperity and enlightenment is probably meant. It means a new day morally and economically. Healing shall spring forth. This means God's healing from all past calamities resulting from their sins. Righteousness goes along with doing right and practicing justice at one's financial loss. And the glory of the LORD will guard our rear flank. The devil will not be able to successfully attack from unexpected quarters. Yes, this kind of social benevolence, when done in devotion to the Lord brings great spiritual and material blessings.
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