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.

Fasting was a type of legal service that God’s people performed for God in the Old Testament. It showed humility and servitude. At least it was supposed to. God’s people turned it into a “check the box” exercise where they over indulged, fasted, and over indulged again. Sigh. Reminds me too much of myself.

No, these verses speak of the “fasting” that God wants.

Justice – 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.

Mercy – 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.

It is simple, really. Do what is right to everyone. If you see someone suffering, do what you can to relieve the suffering. And the type of suffering doesn’t matter. Lend a hand. Extend some of the vast mercy that God has extended to me.