Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? ” The 58th chapter of Isaiah is a famous passage on the blessings that can come through fasting. Ironically, fasting has become a forgotten practice in Christianity—even though Jesus (and many other biblical figures) fasted, setting an example for us. (E.g., Matthew 4:1-11) Isaiah 58 not only tells us why we should fast, but also the blessings which can come to us through fasting; and our verse for today comes in the context of Isaiah's discourse on fasting. Though the verse sounds like it is simply saying "Help the hungry and needy," the context gives greater clarification to what exactly Isaiah was trying to teach.
In verse 6, Isaiah says that fasting can free us from the "bands of wickedness" (or our sinful addictions). He tells us that it can free us of "burdens," lifting them from our shoulders and our lives. Fasting has the power to "break every yoke" of sin that binds us. So, it is an act of faith that endows us with the power to prevail over our sins. But Isaiah goes on to say (in verse 7) that when we are fasting, we should care for others and lift the burdens of others. He tells us to not eat but, instead, to give our "bread" or food (which we would have eaten) to the "hungry." He says we should help the "homeless"—perhaps by donating money we would have spent on food (during our fast) to a homeless shelter. He similarly suggests that that same unused money could be used to donate clothing to the naked or under-clothed, perhaps purchasing something warm for a person in need during the winter months.
The point of this passage is that Isaiah 58:7 is not simply saying "do good to the hungry and poor." The Prophet is inviting us to bring back the biblical practice of "fasting," and then use the money we would have spent on food (during our fast) to help others. As we do so, Isaiah promises us that our sins will lose power in our lives, and we will be "set free" from things which we have been battling for years. Talk about a win-win situation!
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ” In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.
