https://odb.org/2024/10/24/food-for-the-hungry
In Isaiah 58, Isaiah prophesied in verses 3 to 9 about God’s rebuke to the Israelites about their self-serving fasting to fulfil their religious obligations, hoping to gain some personal benefit for themselves. Actually, there is nothing wrong with such an approach to fasting except that at the same time, they ignored the needs of the less fortunate before their eyes – the hungry, the unclothe, and the homeless. It was much worse if they had fasted and were also the ones who oppressed the needy. Verses 6 to 9 are reproduced below:
NIV 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clother them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 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. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk.
The poor and needy will always be there. In a laissez-faire economy, you work and earn your keep. Some for lack of education or opportunities earn less, but if they are willing to hold two jobs, they are likely to get through unless they have large families to feed. There is nevertheless a question of practicalities of living within your means. Still, there are others who live in a cycle of drug addiction, crime, violence, unemployment, and imprisonment to the extent that it might be better for some to be inside than outside without food or shelter.
We as individuals can never solve the needs of society. But we must have compassion. In anything we do, whether we have a role in government policy or not, we should support efforts to eradicate poverty, homelesness, and hunger. Everyone should be given a roof over their heads and a hot meal.
The message in Isaiah 58 is that we must know our God and what is in His heart. He seeks to help the unfortunate the downtrodden and the oppressed. We can not solve the woes of the world, but at the very least, we must not be part of those who perpetuate such injustices. Instead, we must be selfless, have compassion, and do our part whenever we can. In the end, what’s in our hearts must match our actions in praying and fasting. Then, the glory of God, the LORD our God will be our rear guard!
Ronnie's Thoughts 