In Isaiah 58:1, the Lord instructs the prophet to deliver a forceful address of His people’s continued rebellion:

 “Cry aloud, spare not;

Lift up your voice like a trumpet;

Tell My people their transgression,

And the house of Jacob their sins.”

Such a bold condemnation of this people is somewhat surprising since verse 2 gives this description of them:

 “Yet they seek Me daily,

And delight to know My ways,

As a nation that did righteousness,

And did not forsake the ordinance of their God.

They ask of Me the ordinances of justice;

They take delight in approaching God.”

These were religious people; they delighted in approaching God in religious observances, hearing His ordinances read and praying to Him. Verse 3 even indicates they fasted and afflicted their souls. So where is the transgression God is powerfully condemning?  Verses 6 and 7 provide the answer; God asks:

“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?”

Religious observances are of no value if a man will not love his neighbor and help the needy (Lk. 10:27-37). Jesus warned of the condemnation coming on the scribes and Pharisees who outwardly appeared so religious but devoured the poor and needy (Mt. 23:1-33; Mk. 12:38-40; Lk. 20:45-47). Indeed, Jesus will judge us regarding our treatment of those in need (Mt. 25:31-46) God identifies with the vulnerable in society. He describes Himself as a helper of the helpless and fatherless (Psa. 10:14; 68:5).  Thus, if we give to the poor, we give to our Maker and please Him (Prov. 14:31; 19:17). Isaiah was crying out against individuals who observed special days of fasting and religious activities, but were exploiting their workers (Isa. 58:3). Later, to the same stripe of people, God asked through Zechariah if their fasting was really for Him, for if their religion was really for pleasing the Lord then it would include showing kindness to the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, and the poor (Zech. 7:4-10). Phony religion is easy to practice and easy to find all around us, but, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (Jas. 1:27).

–Mark Day