Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:6-8
“The prophet informs them that fasting is useless if it is not accompanied by abstaining from evil… The people were hypocritically fasting once a year to obtain pardon for their sins while continuing to behave badly on that very day. Humbling oneself is useless if it is merely a matter of appearing humble…
The good behavior the Lord wants to see in place of vain religious practices is still appropriate for Africa today: opposing slavery and misery. The exhortation to welcome the hungry, the homeless, and the destitute should again encourage the church to emphasize the strong African traditions of hospitality…
We should give ourselves on behalf of the needy… We should not give the poor only those things that we do not want ourselves. Jesus emphasizes, we should treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated. Those who are involved in such activities and who also seek the Lord sincerely will be blessed by God and will contribute to the reconstruction of their country.”
Edouard Kitoko Nsiku in “Isaiah” in Africa Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 873-874.
Nsiku inspires us today, in the spirit of Isaiah, to avoid useless practices and to instead apply ourselves to useful service like sharing with others in need. He also reminds us that in so doing we can contribute to the transformation of our context or country.
May God shape our settings through our generous sharing for His glory. Amen.