Contemplative Bible Reading

Isaiah 58:6-7 (New Living Translation)

6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

fast: verb—to eat no food for a period of time

That is the specific, well known definition of fasting. In general, however, fasting is the act of going without something for a period of time. The theme of sacrifice is in fasting. I relinquish something of value to me.

This passage in Isaiah emphasizes the general thought of fasting.

• Do for those less fortunate.
• Free the wrongly imprisoned
• Lighten burdens
• Free the oppressed
• Remove chains
• Share food
• Provide shelter
• Clothe the needy
• Be available to help

I guess we call this charity today. I guess we pay taxes so the government can do these things—sort of, I mean isn’t that the purpose of social programs?

Perhaps God wants me to do these things directly. Perhaps I should get to it.