Isaiah 58 reveals a lot about God, and about human nature. It shows us how prone we are to allowing the relationship with the living God—as He has revealed Himself—to become nothing more than a ritual. Those against whom the prophet is speaking genuinely believed they were dutifully laying out their prayer rugs, denying themselves food, putting on some scratchy clothing, and throwing a few ashes onto their heads as a display of humility and submission to the Lord so that their prayers would be heard and answered; yet all the while they were supposedly submitting themselves humbly before God, they were treating those around them poorly, causing division, and behaving unjustly not only to other persons, but to fellow Israelites. God answers them, “Is this what you call fasting; is this what you think submitting to Me and humbling yourselves means? This is not what I call a fast” (Isa 58:5).

The Lord then goes on to tell His people (note, these are the people of God that God is correcting!) that if they were truly humble and submissive to Him, if they truly knew that He was the almighty creator God of the universe, the way they would show it is by behaving towards others as He had commanded; in the way that He had behaved towards them (Isa 58:6-14). “You will walk in My way feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, providing for the needy, being just to the oppressed” (sound familiar?).

In other words, if we are truly humble and submissive before the Lord, we will seek His way for the sake of others rather than going through a set of superstitious rituals designed to get God to give us what we want. Jesus said the same thing: “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Lk 6:46). In Matthew 7 Jesus finishes this parallel account off with the words, “I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.” The literal sense of this last phrase is “you who behave as if I never gave you a law to obey.” Those who decide for themselves the way they want to serve, approach and please God will be disappointed (see Lev 10:1-3). God consistently teaches from beginning to end that the sacrifice that pleases Him is obedience to His command to love Him exclusively by loving those around us in the way He would (and does). The desire of our hearts, what we seek above all things in prayer, should be God (Isa 58:14); and for His kingdom to exist on earth in the way that it does in heaven. That begins with us.

What things in your life have you turned into practical rituals of your own devising? Are you doing what the LORD requires of you; acting justly, loving kindness, and walking humbly with your God (Mic 6:8)?

In your life, “if He is not Lord of ALL, He is not Lord at all.”


Peace,
Bob

"When life becomes more than you can stand ... kneel."