Hypocriitical Fasting

In an effort to gain divine favor, the Jews go through the formality of fasting, but their pretended piety only alienates them from Jehovah.  In apparent bewilderment they ask: "For what reason did we fast and you did not see, and did we afflict our soul and you would take no note?"  Jehovah responds frankly, saying:  "Indeed you people were finding delight in the very day of your  fasting, when there were all your toilers  that you kept driving to work.  Indeed for quarreling and struggle you would fast, and for striking the fist of wickedness.  Did you not keep fasting as in the day for making your voice to be heard in the height?  Should the fast that I choose become like this, as day for earthling man to afflict his soul?  For bowing down his head like a rush, and that he should spread out mere sackcloth and ashes as his couch?  Is it this that you call a fast and a day acceptable to Jehovah?"-Isaiah 58:3-5.

While fasting, feigning righteousness, and even asking for Jehovah's righteous judgments, the people pursue selfish pleasures and business interests.  They indulge in strife, oppression, and violence.  In an attempt to whitewash their behavior, they engage in showy displays of mourning-drooping their heads like bulrushes and sitting in sackcloth and ashes-in apparent repentance for their sins.  Of what value is all this if they continue to rebel?  They show none of the godly sorrow and repentance that should be associated with sincere fasts.  Their wailing-although noisy-is not heard  in heaven.

The Jews of Jesus' day put on a similar show of ceremonial fasting, some doing so twice a week!  (Matthew 6:16-18; Luke 18:11, 12) Many of the religious leaders also imitated Isaiah's generation by being harsh and domineering.  Hence, Jesus courageously exposed those religious hypocrites, telling them that  their form of worship was futile.  (Matthew 15:7-9)  Today, too, millions "publicly declare they know God, but they disown him by their works, because they are detestable  and disobedient and not approved for good work of any sort." (Titus 1:16)  Such ones  may hope for God's mercy, but their conduct betrays their insincerity.  In contrast, Jehovah's Witnesses display true godly devotion and genuine brother love. -John 13:35.

Next time: What True Repentance Involves

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001