Isaiah 58:1-12

Ancient lens

What's the historical context?

Aren’t we doing what you’re asking of us?

The people of God are wondering why their fasts and rituals have not accomplished what they hoped. “Why have we fasted and you see it not?” they ask. “Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?” The problem, says Isaiah, is that the people in their fasting have sought their own pleasure and oppressed all their workers (Isaiah 58:3). Though they “seek” God daily, though they “ask” of God his judgments, though they “delight” to draw near to God, their true desire is selfish. They want their own pleasure, and as a result their knowledge of God has been distorted. Their desires have shaped their…