- Home
- Bible
- Isaiah
- Chapter 58
- Verse 58
Isaiah 58:6
Verse
Context
True Fasts and Sabbaths
5Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? 6Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? 7Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Let the oppressed go free - How can any nation pretend to fast or worship God at all, or dare to profess that they believe in the existence of such a Being, while they carry on the slave trade, and traffic in the souls, blood, and bodies, of men! O ye most flagitious of knaves, and worst of hypocrites, cast off at once the mask of religion; and deepen not your endless perdition by professing the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, while ye continue in this traffic!
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
loose . . . bands of wickedness--that is, to dissolve every tie wherewith one has unjustly bound his fellow men (Lev 25:49, &c.). Servitude, a fraudulent contract, &c. undo . . . heavy burdens--Hebrew, "loose the bands of the yoke." oppressed--literally, "the broken." The expression, "to let go free," implies that those "broken" with the yoke of slavery, are meant (Neh 5:10-12; Jer 34:9-11, Jer 34:14, Jer 34:16). JEROME interprets it, broken with poverty; bankrupt.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Is not this the fast that I have chosen?.... Which God has appointed, he approves of, and is well pleasing in his sight; these are works and services more agreeable to him, which follow, without which the rest will be rejected: to loose the bands of wickedness; which some understand of combinations in courts of judicature to oppress and distress the poor; others of bonds and contracts unjustly made, or rigorously demanded and insisted on, when they cannot be answered; rather of those things with which the consciences of men are bound in religious matters; impositions upon conscience; binding to the use of stinted forms, and to habits in divine worship, which the word of God has not made necessary: to undo the heavy burdens. The Septuagint render it, "dissolve the obligations of violent contracts"; such as are obtained by violence; so the Arabic version; or by fraud, as the Syriac version, which translates it, bonds of fraud. The Targum is, "loose the bonds of writings of a depraved judgment;'' all referring it to unjust bonds and contracts in a civil sense: but rather it regards the loosing or freeing men from all obligation to all human prescriptions and precepts; whatever is after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ; so the traditions of the Scribes and Pharisees are called "heavy burdens, grievous to be borne", Mat 23:4 these should not be laid and bound on men's shoulders, but should be done and taken off of them, as well as all penal laws with which they have been enforced: and to let the oppressed go free; such as have been broken by oppression, not only in their spirits, but in their purses, by mulcts and fines, and confiscation of goods; and who have been cast into prisons, and detained a long time in filthy dungeons; and where many have perished for the sake of religion, even in Protestant countries: and that ye break every yoke; of church power and tyranny; everything that is not enjoined and authorized by the word of God; every yoke but the yoke of Christ; all human precepts, and obedience to them; all but the commands of Christ, and obedience to them; no other yoke should be put upon the neck of his disciples but his own.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
58:6-7 True fasting creates an awareness of injustice and oppression and prompts the practitioner to reach out to help the needy in their struggles (see 42:7; Matt 25:35-36; Jas 1:27).
Isaiah 58:6
True Fasts and Sabbaths
5Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? 6Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? 7Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Prayer as a Way of Walking in Love - a Personal Journey
By Francis Chan6.2K1:05:25PSA 27:4ISA 58:6JAS 1:5This sermon emphasizes the importance of dwelling in the presence of God, seeking His beauty, and abiding in Him as the ultimate source of strength and peace. It highlights the need to prioritize prayer and intimacy with God over performance, expectations, and pressures from others. The speaker shares personal experiences of answered prayers, moments of deep connection with God, and the power of walking in love through prayer.
Oh God, How Long Shall the Enemy Reproach
By Carter Conlon2.4K1:04:06ReproachISA 58:6MAT 8:20MAT 16:24MAT 25:35LUK 4:21ACT 1:8In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the church resembling the original pattern set by Jesus. He highlights the need for believers to take up their cross and follow Christ, just as Jesus yielded himself to the provision of his Father. The preacher references Isaiah 58:6, which speaks about the true meaning of fasting and how it involves helping those in need and showing compassion. He encourages believers to walk with God, talk to Him, and trust in His guidance, promising that God will satisfy their souls and make them like a watered garden.
(Clip) Last Days Lovers of Self
By Carter Conlon2.2K01:10ISA 58:6This sermon emphasizes the importance of focusing on others rather than ourselves, especially in the context of the last days where self-centeredness and love of money are prevalent. It highlights the need to live a life that reflects God's love and truth, with a warning against teachings that prioritize personal gain over true biblical principles.
No Peace for the Wicked
By Chuck Smith1.9K33:26WickednessGEN 1:1PSA 32:1ISA 57:20ISA 58:6ISA 58:11MAT 6:33REV 22:21In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of King David and his guilt after taking the widow of a fallen soldier as his wife. David felt restless and burdened by his wrongdoing, describing it as an inner roaring that left him with no rest day or night. However, when David confessed his sin, God forgave him and brought him peace. The sermon also touches on the importance of trusting in the Lord and not fighting against His laws, as doing so leads to sorrow and separation from God.
Times Square Church Fast - Day 1
By Carter Conlon1.5K1:06:06ISA 58:6MAT 17:20This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God earnestly with a genuine heart, focusing on the need for compassion, purity of motives, and a deep seeking of God through prayer and fasting. It calls for a transformation in the lives of believers to reflect the heart of Christ, reaching out to those in need and being vessels of God's love and power in a society filled with evil and darkness.
Fasting Breaks Enslavement
By Shane Idleman1.5K54:46ISA 58:6This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's help through prayer, fasting, and spiritual disciplines to overcome addictions, strongholds, and struggles. It highlights the need to surrender to God, ask for His strength, and rely on Him to break free from bondage. The message encourages seeking breakthroughs, relying on God's power, and avoiding pride and arrogance in spiritual practices.
Proving God
By Keith Daniel1.2K1:03:06ISA 58:6MAL 3:10This sermon emphasizes the importance of honoring God in all aspects of life, especially in matters related to money and finances. It shares powerful stories of individuals who chose to prioritize integrity and faithfulness over financial gain, leading to blessings and prosperity beyond measure. The message highlights the significance of living a life of no compromise, even in the smallest details, to truly honor God and experience His favor and provision.
Lifting Up Our Eyes - Part 4
By K.P. Yohannan1.2K07:22ISA 58:6This sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer, fasting, and evaluating one's lifestyle in order to align with God's heart. It challenges listeners to invest their lives in eternal things, serve God wholeheartedly, and support missionaries in various nations. The message encourages taking risks for God's kingdom and being willing to step out in faith, even if it means sacrificing comfort or security.
Fasting: A Delight, Not Drudgery
By Shane Idleman55855:58ISA 58:6This sermon emphasizes the importance of fasting and prayer in drawing closer to God and experiencing His power. It highlights the need to address sin, repentance, and surrender to God, focusing on the significance of fasting as a spiritual discipline to break strongholds, seek direction, and deepen one's relationship with God. The message calls for genuine worship, repentance, and obedience to God's Word as essential components of a believer's life.
Staff Teaching
By George Verwer41956:54MissionsISA 58:1ISA 58:61CO 10:41CO 10:12In this sermon, the speaker shares his observations about the dangers that can hinder the work of God. He emphasizes the importance of unity and warns against the destructive power of disunity within ministries. The speaker also highlights the danger of becoming set in one's ways and allowing traditions to replace the leading of the Holy Spirit. He references a passage from Isaiah that calls for a cry to show God's people their transgressions and sins, emphasizing the need for self-examination and a willingness to change.
3 Characteristics of a Sacred Assembly
By Shane Idleman3024:13RepentanceSacred Assembly2CH 7:14PSA 51:17ISA 58:6JOL 1:14JOL 2:12ZEC 7:5MAT 5:4ROM 12:2JAS 4:81PE 5:6Shane Idleman emphasizes the significance of a Sacred Assembly, highlighting three key characteristics: the necessity of fasting to prepare the heart, the importance of gathering in a holy place to seek God, and the need for genuine repentance and brokenness before the Lord. He draws from the book of Joel, urging believers to turn to God with all their hearts, recognizing the urgency of the spiritual condition of society and the need for heartfelt prayer and worship. Idleman calls for a collective response to the moral decline around us, encouraging a deep, sincere connection with God that transcends mere ritualistic practices.
The Cry of the Prophets - a Call to Anguish
By Shane Idleman2055:42RevivalAnguishISA 58:6JER 9:1Shane Idleman emphasizes the urgent need for anguish in the church, drawing from the cries of the prophets and the deep emotional connection to God's heart. He argues that true revival and a powerful prayer life stem from a place of deep distress over sin and the state of the world, urging believers to embrace godly sorrow and seek a deeper relationship with God. Idleman highlights that without this anguish, the church risks becoming complacent and ineffective, losing sight of its mission to call people back to God. He calls for a return to fervent prayer and fasting, as well as a commitment to humility and a hunger for righteousness, to align with God's will and spark revival.
An Unforgettable Illustration - the Power of Prayer and Fasting
By Shane Idleman1807:49FastingPrayerNEH 1:4EST 4:16ISA 58:6JER 29:12JOL 1:14MAT 17:21Shane Idleman emphasizes the transformative power of prayer and fasting, illustrating that true desperation for God can be gauged by our willingness to sacrifice meals for spiritual growth. He likens prayer to a tool that can accomplish tasks, while fasting serves as a powerful sledgehammer against strongholds and spiritual battles. Idleman references biblical figures like Joel, Esther, and Nehemiah, who called for fasting in times of crisis, highlighting that intercession can change the course of events. He encourages believers to approach God with urgency and sincerity, reminding them that access to the Father has been granted through Jesus. The sermon concludes with a call to corporate prayer, urging the congregation to seek God earnestly.
The Cure for Chaos - Call a Sacred Assembly
By Shane Idleman1742:26Fasting and PrayerRepentance2CH 7:142CH 20:3ISA 58:6JOL 1:14MAT 6:16LUK 9:23ROM 12:12TI 1:7JAS 4:81PE 5:6Shane Idleman emphasizes the urgent need for the church to reclaim its voice and boldly proclaim God's truth in a chaotic world. He calls for a Sacred Assembly, urging believers to prepare their hearts through fasting and prayer, as a means to invite God's presence and power into their lives and communities. Idleman highlights the importance of repentance and unity among believers, stressing that true revival begins with individuals turning back to God. He warns against complacency and the dangers of allowing the flesh to dominate, advocating for a return to holiness and a passionate pursuit of God's Spirit. Ultimately, he reminds the congregation that hope and redemption are found in Jesus Christ alone.
Fasting - the Good, Bad, and Hungry
By Shane Idleman1244:11Spiritual DisciplineFastingISA 58:6MAT 6:18MAT 26:41GAL 5:17Shane Idleman emphasizes the significance of fasting as a spiritual discipline that helps believers overcome the weakness of the flesh and grow closer to God. He explains that fasting is not merely about abstaining from food but is a means to starve the flesh and be filled with the Holy Spirit, leading to spiritual insight, power, and victory. Idleman highlights the historical importance of fasting in the lives of early church leaders and encourages the congregation to embrace fasting as a way to deepen their relationship with God and experience His presence more fully.
Fasting - They Found the Secret
By Shane Idleman1048:27Spiritual DisciplineFastingISA 58:6MAT 6:18MAT 26:41GAL 5:17Shane Idleman emphasizes the transformative power of fasting in his sermon 'Fasting - They Found the Secret.' He explains that while the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak, and fasting serves as a means to strengthen the spirit by denying the flesh. Idleman highlights the historical significance of fasting in the church and its benefits, including spiritual insight, power, and healing. He encourages believers to embrace fasting as a way to humble themselves before God, seek His guidance, and break free from the burdens of sin and addiction. Ultimately, fasting is presented as a vital spiritual discipline that can lead to a deeper relationship with God and a renewed sense of purpose.
How to Break a Fast
By Evangelist James Miller0PSA 35:13ISA 58:6JOL 2:12MAT 6:16ACT 13:2Evangelist James Miller shares his personal experience of fasting for 28 days without food, only consuming liquids, during which he continued to preach multiple times a day. He emphasizes the importance of breaking a fast gradually with fresh fruit juices, diluted with water, and then transitioning to thin soup to avoid discomfort. Miller highlights the benefits of fasting, such as giving rest to the stomach and digestive tract, and the spiritual blessings and healing he received from God through fasting.
Hope for This Kind
By Don Currin02CH 20:17ISA 58:6MAT 17:14MRK 9:23JAS 5:16Don Currin preaches on the importance of laying hold of the promises of God in the face of unbelief, emphasizing the struggles faced by parents with wayward children who have strayed from the path of righteousness. Through the story in Matthew 17 of the father with the demonized son, we learn that it is not the size of our faith but the sufficiency of the Savior that brings deliverance. The sermon encourages parents to persist in prayer, holding onto God's promises, and to engage in fasting as a spiritual discipline to break strongholds and witness God's power in restoring the lost.
Thoughts on the Benefits of the System of Fasting Enjoined by Our Church
By J.H. Newman02CH 7:14PSA 35:13ISA 58:6JOL 2:12MAT 6:16MRK 2:18LUK 18:12ROM 14:61CO 9:27JAS 4:8John Henry Newman preaches about the importance of adhering to the Church's regulations on fasting, emphasizing the practical wisdom and spiritual experience of the early Church Fathers who established these practices. He highlights the benefits of regular fasting, such as humbling oneself for sins, deepening communion with God, promoting self-denying charity, and uniting the Church in prayer and humility. Newman encourages individuals to overcome obstacles and misconceptions, reminding them of the historical significance and spiritual value of fasting as a discipline for the soul.
The Conditions of Blessing
By Andrew Murray0RevivalSelf-Sacrifice2CH 7:14ISA 58:6MAL 3:10MAT 6:33JAS 5:16Andrew Murray emphasizes the profound responsibility and grace required in the prayer for revival, urging believers to examine their hearts and lives. He challenges the congregation to shift from selfishness to self-sacrifice, to embrace the Holy Spirit's work in their lives, and to be willing to share the transformative power of God with others. Murray encourages a bold approach to giving and expecting God's blessings, reminding the faithful of the potential impact of their prayers and actions on the community.
Precious Faith (2)
By Smith Wigglesworth0Divine PowerFaithISA 58:6MAT 7:7MRK 11:24JHN 14:12ACT 10:38ROM 10:17EPH 3:20HEB 11:1JAS 1:52PE 1:1Smith Wigglesworth emphasizes the transformative power of faith, urging believers to truly believe in God and seek His will with persistence. He illustrates this through personal anecdotes, highlighting that faith is not just a theory but a dynamic force that can bring about miraculous changes in our lives and the lives of others. Wigglesworth encourages the congregation to ask God for heart purity and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, assuring them that God desires to bless and use them for His glory. He reminds them that faith, rooted in the Word of God, can lead to extraordinary works and divine interventions in times of need. Ultimately, he calls for a faith that is active and impactful, capable of bringing healing and deliverance to a needy world.
Supplement to Tract Xviii; on the Benefits of the System of Fasting Prescribed by Our Church
By J.H. Newman0PSA 35:13ISA 58:6DAN 10:3JOL 2:12MAT 6:16MRK 9:29LUK 5:35ACT 13:21CO 7:51PE 5:6J.H. Newman preaches on the importance of fasting in the Christian life, addressing various questions and misconceptions surrounding the practice. He emphasizes the significance of fasting as a means of self-discipline, spiritual growth, and preparation for receiving God's blessings. Newman highlights the historical and biblical roots of fasting, pointing to the examples set by Jesus and early Christians. He encourages believers to approach fasting with humility, sincerity, and a focus on spiritual renewal, rather than legalism or outward show.
On Fasting
By Timothy Tow0EST 4:16PSA 69:10ISA 58:6DAN 9:3MAT 6:16ACT 14:23ROM 14:51CO 8:8EPH 2:8Timothy Tow preaches about the dangers of seeking salvation through works, highlighting the different forms of salvation by works in various religions and denominations, including fasting, charity giving, and penance. He emphasizes the importance of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, as stated in Ephesians 2:8-9, and warns against trying to earn salvation through Church rules and good deeds. Tow also discusses the biblical perspective on fasting, showing that it is a means to draw closer to God through prayer and submission to the Spirit, as seen in examples like David, Daniel, Esther, and Paul and Barnabas.
Epistle 83
By George Fox0Church OrderFaithfulnessISA 58:6MAT 23:4MRK 9:41ACT 20:28ROM 2:23ROM 15:1COL 3:22George Fox emphasizes the importance of gathering in the fear of the Lord, urging believers to remain faithful and diligent in their respective roles within the church. He encourages overseers to care for their flock and warns against the dangers of pride and running ahead of God's guidance. Fox calls for unity and order in meetings, reminding everyone to serve with sincerity and to be mindful of their actions to avoid bringing dishonor to God. He stresses the need for patience and clarity in following God's direction, ensuring that all members contribute positively to the community. Ultimately, he encourages faithfulness in service, promising that such dedication will not go unrewarded.
Questions/answers on Fasting
By James Blaine Chapman0PSA 35:13ISA 58:6ZEC 7:5MAT 6:161CO 6:19James Blaine Chapman discusses the practice of fasting, emphasizing the importance of considering one's health and personal circumstances when deciding to fast. He distinguishes between full and partial fasting, suggesting that each individual should choose the type of fasting that suits their situation. Chapman highlights that true holiness of heart and righteousness of conduct are more crucial than outward forms and practices like fasting, as seen in Isaiah 58. He encourages regular and systematic fasting as a spiritual discipline, comparing it to the importance of consistent Bible reading and prayer.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Let the oppressed go free - How can any nation pretend to fast or worship God at all, or dare to profess that they believe in the existence of such a Being, while they carry on the slave trade, and traffic in the souls, blood, and bodies, of men! O ye most flagitious of knaves, and worst of hypocrites, cast off at once the mask of religion; and deepen not your endless perdition by professing the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, while ye continue in this traffic!
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
loose . . . bands of wickedness--that is, to dissolve every tie wherewith one has unjustly bound his fellow men (Lev 25:49, &c.). Servitude, a fraudulent contract, &c. undo . . . heavy burdens--Hebrew, "loose the bands of the yoke." oppressed--literally, "the broken." The expression, "to let go free," implies that those "broken" with the yoke of slavery, are meant (Neh 5:10-12; Jer 34:9-11, Jer 34:14, Jer 34:16). JEROME interprets it, broken with poverty; bankrupt.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Is not this the fast that I have chosen?.... Which God has appointed, he approves of, and is well pleasing in his sight; these are works and services more agreeable to him, which follow, without which the rest will be rejected: to loose the bands of wickedness; which some understand of combinations in courts of judicature to oppress and distress the poor; others of bonds and contracts unjustly made, or rigorously demanded and insisted on, when they cannot be answered; rather of those things with which the consciences of men are bound in religious matters; impositions upon conscience; binding to the use of stinted forms, and to habits in divine worship, which the word of God has not made necessary: to undo the heavy burdens. The Septuagint render it, "dissolve the obligations of violent contracts"; such as are obtained by violence; so the Arabic version; or by fraud, as the Syriac version, which translates it, bonds of fraud. The Targum is, "loose the bonds of writings of a depraved judgment;'' all referring it to unjust bonds and contracts in a civil sense: but rather it regards the loosing or freeing men from all obligation to all human prescriptions and precepts; whatever is after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ; so the traditions of the Scribes and Pharisees are called "heavy burdens, grievous to be borne", Mat 23:4 these should not be laid and bound on men's shoulders, but should be done and taken off of them, as well as all penal laws with which they have been enforced: and to let the oppressed go free; such as have been broken by oppression, not only in their spirits, but in their purses, by mulcts and fines, and confiscation of goods; and who have been cast into prisons, and detained a long time in filthy dungeons; and where many have perished for the sake of religion, even in Protestant countries: and that ye break every yoke; of church power and tyranny; everything that is not enjoined and authorized by the word of God; every yoke but the yoke of Christ; all human precepts, and obedience to them; all but the commands of Christ, and obedience to them; no other yoke should be put upon the neck of his disciples but his own.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
58:6-7 True fasting creates an awareness of injustice and oppression and prompts the practitioner to reach out to help the needy in their struggles (see 42:7; Matt 25:35-36; Jas 1:27).