Isa 58:3 | MHM | STEP | A Charge against the People. In these verses, God addresses the hypocrisy of the people’s religious practices. The people complained that God did not notice or reward their fasting and outward shows of religion. They believed they deserved blessings for their rituals, but God explains that true worship must come from the heart and must be shown in their actions toward others. v. 3 : The people ask, Why have we fasted, and you do not see? Why have we afflicted our soul, and you take no notice? (Isaiah 58:3 ). They are upset because God does not reward them for their outward religious actions. They boast about their fasting and believe God owes them something. But God points out their mistake. They expect blessings only because of what they do on the outside, not because of a real change of heart. God does not accept worship that is only for show (Job 21:14–15; Malachi 3:14 ). v. 3 (continued) – v. 4 : God explains why their fasting is not accepted. Even while they fast, they continue to do wrong. They still act selfishly and are hard on others. You exact all your labours —they are unfair to their workers and do not show mercy, even during religious days. They also fight and quarrel, even coming to blows— you fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness (Isaiah 58:4 ). Their hearts are not changed. God says, if you fast like this, your prayers will not be heard in heaven. True fasting means turning away from sin and treating others with love and fairness, not just going through religious motions (Isaiah 1:13 ).

‏ Isaiah 58:3

A Charge against the People.

In these verses, God addresses the hypocrisy of the people’s religious practices. The people complained that God did not notice or reward their fasting and outward shows of religion. They believed they deserved blessings for their rituals, but God explains that true worship must come from the heart and must be shown in their actions toward others.

v. 3: The people ask, Why have we fasted, and you do not see? Why have we afflicted our soul, and you take no notice? (Isaiah 58:3 ^a). They are upset because God does not reward them for their outward religious actions. They boast about their fasting and believe God owes them something. But God points out their mistake. They expect blessings only because of what they do on the outside, not because of a real change of heart. God does not accept worship that is only for show (Job 21:14–15; Malachi 3:14 ^b).

v. 3 (continued) – v. 4: God explains why their fasting is not accepted. Even while they fast, they continue to do wrong. They still act selfishly and are hard on others. You exact all your labours—they are unfair to their workers and do not show mercy, even during religious days. They also fight and quarrel, even coming to blows—you fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness (Isaiah 58:4 ^c). Their hearts are not changed. God says, if you fast like this, your prayers will not be heard in heaven. True fasting means turning away from sin and treating others with love and fairness, not just going through religious motions (Isaiah 1:13 ^d).