The Power of Selfless Service

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)

Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. (Daniel 4:27)

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:25-40)

Jesus positions himself with the suffering and powerless. Jesus even became such a person, he had nowhere to live without the hospitality of others. (Luke 9:58) Remarkably, righteous Daniel's advice to a king who is threatened with disgrace is to overcome sin by doing good to the suffering and powerless. Why would that be? Why does God want us to fast by doing good to others?
That is what God himself does. If we are to be like the God that gives and sustains life freely and abundantly we will need to be generous givers.
It turns our thoughts from ourselves and thus helps us to be transformed by thinking about Jesus and other good things.
We become aware of reality more clearly, and so we are driven to Jesus to heal and save us and so we are healed and saved.
This is about selfless service, not just giving. Selfless service is the substance of love and love is the fulfilling of the law. Jesus set the example of love, though he had few possessions. Those who have been given great resources to manage must beware lest they make excuses to retain them.
You can't afford not to love, no matter how little you have left. You can't afford not to love, no matter how much you have been given.

Jesus the Super Hero

And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. (Ezekiel 36:23)

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (Ezekiel 36:27)

Jesus is the hero of the Bible. The pre-incarnate Christ guided the Israelites only to have them reject him for an image that misrepresented him. The Israelites repeatedly preferred worshipping as the pagans do rather than as God desires and God sent them into captivity as he said he would. But this made Jehovah look bad in the eyes of the Gentiles, making it harder for them to trust in him and be saved. So Jehovah resolved to bring them out of bondage and work a transformation in their lives that would show that Jesus is the hero not any other man. They rejected Jesus, but the church has the same opportunity. Jesus wants to transform us to be like him and thus show the world how good he really is. The greatest evidence for Christianity is a loving and loveable Christian. Amen.

Heroic Heavenly High Priest

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; (Hebrews 10:19-21)

We can enter into the holiest because of the blood of Jesus. What does it mean to do that? We can come into the presence of God. What does that mean? We can pray directly to God without a man between us. We have the ear of the ruler of the universe, in incredible privilege. Our sins are removed in some way, or we could not approach God.
The blood of Jesus makes us clean because his blood was spilled on our behalf, his life was taken to we could be given mercy.
The veil represents Jesus flesh according to verse 20. I don't understand the implications of that. Jesus way of coming before God was new, it did away with the old system which was a shadow of Jesus to come.
We do not need a high priest today except for Jesus, who is a perfect high priest that prays for us when we will come to him in our great need. Jesus is the hero, he does the work, all we can do is choose to accept the credit for it and become more like him or choose to resist and become worse and worse.

Standing In The Breach

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:6-12)

This gathering in heaven almost seems like a kind of council or parliament. Satan comes apparently uninvited. I believe he claims the right to be there because he took it from Adam. But Jehovah challenges his right to be there on the basis that one man on earth does not have even one toe in Satan's service. Satan argues that "God" has bought Job out, and Jehovah allows Satan to do some limited tormenting. This passage is useful to understand what is happening behind the scenes in our lives. Regardless of whether God prospers us or not, will we not resolve to be an ambassador like Job to keep this world from Satan's complete control? Who will stand in the breach?

Teaching Giving

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2)

7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment… 16 Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment (Ezekiel 18:7,16)

The verses in Ezekiel are taken from the context of God declaring that despite what some people may think, each person is only punished for his own sin. To oppress the poor and not act in the good way that God commands is actually sin. This raises the stakes.
Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes about the meaning of life. He starts off by explaining that life is meaningless without God. Our passage comes from the end of the book, where Solomon describes the things that are good to do in life. He pragmatically reasons that being generous is wise because hard times may come in the future and you need to have good friends. Many people will take advantage of you, these would not be the kind of wise investment Solomon is talking about. But if you pour out life, means (money) and energy into the church you will make friends that will not turn from you in hard times. Teach others to give selflessly to those who need it. Set an example by doing it yourself. Then when you or yours are in need there will be people ready to give.

Note on title: The title should be read as seen but it's interesting to note that in Koine Greek the word for teaching and giving is the same.

Who to Give to

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)

He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. (Prov 22:9)

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: (Prov 25:21)

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. (Prov 28:27)

Whenever I think about charitable giving I think to the eventuality that I will run out of money. I think of people taking advantage of my generosity and me going bankrupt. But not only in moral literature but in pragmatic wisdom literature, God promises that you cannot out-give him. As was discussed previously, some discernment should be exercised, or you will undoubtedly go into debt. But giving to genuine needs in measure to how God has blessed you will result in spiritual vigour and not in poverty. It is good for you to give, especially to your enemy. I am not convinced that formally organised charities are included in this command to give. There are thousands of charities that will gladly take your money and may not have need for it. But individuals that are not willing vagrants will normally only accept charity in real need. It is to individuals we personally come into contact that we are to give especially. This will bring the greatest personal blessing and the greatest benefit to the other.
By the way, I give to a charity and to mission organisations regularly, I am not trying to justify myself.

Selfless Servant

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)

16 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; 17 Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; 18 (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;) 19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; 20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; 21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: 22 Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. (Job 31:16-22) (Words of Job)

He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. (Psalm 112:9)

Job clearly understood that acts of selfless service were obligatory for the righteous. It seems a bit of a pity in a way to conclude that charity is compulsory for the Christian because it means we don't get any credit for doing it. There is love in charity but you cannot wait to love people before you help them. You must help them first and then you may start to love them. You shouldn't expect credit for charity. Jesus is helping you out but he requires you to help others out. Jesus will give you infinite riches, there is no greater reward. Do the right thing or you would be better to have your arm pulled off. Doing good for others helps you to be sanctified and ready for heaven.
Jesus is the ultimate selfless servant, you can never be really selfless like him, but he calls you to imitate him as much as you can and he will take care of you (Luke 12).

Generosity: How Much Is Too Much?

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:7)

And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: (Isaiah 58:10)

Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. (Job 22:7) Eliphaz the Temenite

God wants us to give our resources generously to those who need them. We need to be careful though to minimise the wickedness used against us. We should give people the benefit of the doubt, but when it is clear a person is a professional beggar that is time to stop. People who do not give like to criticise those who do. When you turn away a wicked beggar he will probably make trouble. Soon you may have wealthy people who only give in public speaking the words of Eliphaz to you. Job was very generous but his friend did not recognise this. Many people quote Job's friends to teach false doctrines, reading Job 22 gives a magnificent collection of popular falsehoods. What is God's assessment of Eliphaz's doctrine?

And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. (Job 42:7)

Feed the hungry and you are feeding Jesus, but beware of professional beggars and self-serving charities.

Not a Revolutionary

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. (1 Timothy 6:1)

This last reference was one I did not notice on the list at first, and it is an interesting one to go with Isaiah 58:6. We must break the yoke of oppression in Isaiah but in 1 Timothy we must teach people to submit to their masters. Why would God teach us to do this through Paul? A hint is in verse 6: But godliness with contentment is great gain. If I am a servant I must learn to be content. If I am not a servant I must still learn to be content. In every situation in life I must learn to be content. To do otherwise leads to wasteful fighting. If I were a slave in the Roman Empire I would have been grateful for the assurance that I did not need to rebel against my master. The punishment for rebellion was cruel, it was crucifixion actually, the thing that Jesus went through.
Jesus suffered the penalty for rebellion so we would not have to, though he was innocent. We can be content with our situation and strive out of love to maximise our usefulness to God and man and not get tangled up in useless infighting.

Not Peace and Safety

And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment? 2 Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones; 3 Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron. 4 Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

5 Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. 6 Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. 7 Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God. (Micah 3:1-7)

Verses 2 and 3 of this passage were the last cross reference for Isaiah 58:6. A bit of a graphic picture really. God's leaders taking advantage of his people in a way that God compares to cannibalism. God declaring that the prophets that mislead God's people will lose their ability to see visions. It seems that real prophets can receive real visions but they can still use their gift to mislead people. Interestingly the main message of these prophets seems to be "peace and safety". Interesting because we normally associate false prophets with doomsaying. There are two men I have heard of called Hazen Foss and William Foy who received visions with a message that would not have been popular among their friends. They refused to speak God's messages and God's people suffered for it, and still do to this day. They lost the prophetic gift, just like the Bible says in Micah 3:6.
That reminds me that we have a message for the people of the world. It is not a popular message. "Peace and safety" is the popular message today as always. We are to warn people of judgment and God's solution, which involves personal sacrifice. We must tell them or we will lose the truth ourselves and be forever lost.

Not a Fair Weather Martyr

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)

10 I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury. 11 Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. 12 Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. (Nehemiah 5:10-12)

8 This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them; 9 That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother. 10 Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go. 11 But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids. (Jeremiah 34:8-11)

When the people went back on their promise and enslaved each other again, God declared that they would be killed and exiled far and wide. They did the right thing and released their slaves, but when they did not end up following through it was as if the revival had never happened.
What is verse 6 of Isaiah 58 telling us about the proper way to fast and live in the time of judgment? We should be freeing our slaves. Who are our slaves? Those of us who live in supposedly "developed" countries have the benefit of slave labour in many of our cheap commodities. We can use the only means I know of to prevent this: namely boycotting brands that are associated with slave labour. I think this is the modern application of this injunction, I don't think it needs to be spiritualised; correct me if I'm wrong.
There is a more personal application though. In our business dealings, we should not try to squeeze others or be obsessed by bargains. When a product is reduced for quick sale, that is different. But if I go to a supermarket because I can get milk 20c cheaper there I am actually destroying the livelihood of dairy farmers. Massive corporations are reducing the price of milk by forcing farmers to sell it for less, and eventually the farmer sells the farm to the corporation to pay his debts and the farm becomes just another cog in the corporate machine. I'm not being political, the government cannot solve the problem. Jesus will solve the problem in the future, but you don't want to be on the wrong side of it when he does. Pay more to shop ethically and go without the excesses of what the media has taught us is essential. To do otherwise is to enrich yourself at the expense of the poor as surely as if you confiscated the bread from their very pantry.
Real love takes real sacrifice. If you think you can change the world by whinging (protesting) or throwing a tantrum (civil disobedience e.g. the piratical Sea Shepherd) you have no idea what you are doing. You are doing no good and probably doing actual harm. To really save the world you are going to need to really suffer in ways you don't want to.
There are some ways I don't mind suffering. I don't mind being hated or physically threatened, I have had such suffering, it wasn't so bad and it happens rarely now. But it hurts me deeply to be misunderstood, and this now happens frequently, it is a great part of the cross I must bear. We must all bear a cross we don't want to have. Jesus did not want his cross, neither will his servants. Will you join me in taking up the cross you have been given today?

Keeping the Day of Atonement

Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? (Isaiah 58:5)

Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? (Zechariah 7:5)

And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: (Leviticus 16:5)

A day for a man to afflict his soul. That is the Day of Atonement. And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls… (Leviticus 16:29) Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls… (Leviticus 23:27) The reference in Zechariah to fasting and mourning in the seventh month must be to the fasting of the Day of Atonement, since that was the only fast in that month, which was otherwise full of festivals. The typology of the feast days point to Jesus return and eternity in paradise. Before this time comes a time of afflicting the soul: soul searching and repentance. The way we do that soul searching cannot be limited to outward displays: this is a critical principle. In the past people showed repentance by wearing itchy clothes and making their hair itchy. What about today? What do we do to show the world we are repentant today? Good things usually I would say, but we will go on next to look at what we should be doing. I know I am skipping a lot of cross references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge for this verse, but the other ones are all for the words "to spread" and "an acceptable". I might go back to them later, but please, look them up yourself. I think I have gone over this verse (Isaiah 58:5) often enough, it  seems to climax the preceding verses without adding many new ideas. If you want to add something you can comment. If you want biblical evidence that we are living in the anti-typical Day of Atonement please feel free to contact me. Tomorrow we proceed to how to keep the Day of Atonement in our age.

Prayer of Intercession

Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? (Isaiah 58:5)

3 And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: 4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; 5 We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: 6 Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7 O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. 8 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. 9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; 10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11 Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. 12 And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. 13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. 14 Therefore hath the Lord watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice. 15 And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.
16 O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are about us. 17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. 18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name. (Daniel 9:3-19)

Daniel humbled himself outwardly using sackcloth and ashes, but the difference between him and the Jews Isaiah was writing to was that he did not stop there. He personalised the sin of his nation, no doubt he felt guilty with them in some way, though we have no record of Daniel sinning. This is a private prayer of confession and intercession for God's people. The Day of Atonement was also a time for personal confession by the people and intercession for the people by the high priest. Today Jesus is interceding for us in the Holy of Holies. We must confess our sin and intercede like Jesus and Daniel for God's people, our brothers and sisters. We must ask for mercy on their behalf because many of them are not asking for mercy on their own behalf. In our lives we must influence others to prepare themselves for judgment. We will find out how later in Isaiah 58. If you want revival, don't just do a few things outwardly and then walk away as if nothing happened. Spend time alone with God and plead for revival and repent of your sins so that revival can begin with you.

Model Bride

Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? (Isaiah 58:5)

Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them. (Nehemiah 9:1)

3 And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. (Esther 4:3, 16)

The Nehemiah reference is to do with taking infidel wives as already discussed. Infidels are not model brides for believers, enough said on that.

The references to Esther are interesting. Esther was placed in a privileged position with the potential for influence. Like Daniel, she did not attain this potential by ambition, it just happened. However she maximised her opportunity through a humble willingness to be taught by those in authority over her. As a mere concubine she would have had little real influence; but by making the best of her opportunities in a God honouring fashion she became the queen. Daniel's case was similar: he maximised his influence by obeying God's commandments to the full at any hazard and by a willingness to be different.
Esther may be in many ways a model woman for God's last time remnant. With God's people under persecution there will be a universal death decree against them. God's people will fast and mourn and afflict their souls like they should be doing now. There will be influential young women who have a choice. To stand with God through his people or to hide from confrontation. The danger will be real. Though it is worth nothing I would like to speculate that most who stand for truth will indeed be killed and thus spared the time of trouble. But a small remnant will survive, and blameless in character be translated alive at the glorious coming of Jesus. The bride of Christ, remodelled and flawless will include all of us who have been faithful to him, even to death.
We must not withhold our lives from Jesus; what are you withholding?

Conclusion of Malachi

16 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another:

and the Lord hearkened, and heard it,

and a book of remembrance was written before him

for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts,

in that day when I make up my jewels;

and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked,

between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.


Chapter 4

1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven;

and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble:

and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts,

that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.


2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;

and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

3 And ye shall tread down the wicked;

for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet

in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.


4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant,

which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel,

with the statutes and judgments.


5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet

before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children,

and the heart of the children to their fathers,

lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (Malachi 3:16-4:6)

Most times preachers turn to the book of Malachi it is for a sermon on tithing. I believe in tithing and I am not opposed to using Malachi to support it. But there are other lessons in Malachi that are precious and often ignored. This is especially sad since it is the last prophetic book before the coming of Christ, and it has so much relevance to Jesus.
They that feared the Lord spoke often to one another… And they shall be mine… What a wonderful principle! We who humbly serve God should ensure we give time to his other servants just to speak with them. Share experiences, encourage each other, often.
Then ye shall return and discern between the righteous and the wicked… We know that we should not "judge" people; but the Bible also teaches that the righteous differentiate between the righteous and the wicked. Parents have a responsibility to keep the influence of the wicked from their children and help them learn from the righteous but they can only do this if they know who is who.
For behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven… Jesus is coming and all the wicked will be burned up in a final execution of justice where every injustice will be righted and the problem of evil will be ended.
…with healing in his wings… grow up as calves... Jesus will restore every faithful person to full physical and mental health to enjoy an eternal growing process in paradise on earth.
…they shall be ashes under your feet… Jesus will reduce the wicked to ashes. Do ashes have conscious awareness of anything? We will walk on these ashes as we explore the new earth Jesus will create.
Remember ye the law of Moses… without the law we cannot know what is loving and right. As you read the law and think about it plead with God to teach you and he will. In this way God will transform your life to become more like Jesus who is the one pictured in the law.
…I will send you… the dreadful day is still coming and is it possible that there will be a kind of Elijah for the last time? Let the families be healed or we will suffer. This is the final message of the Old Testament.

Depressing Decisions

Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? (Isaiah 58:5)

And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. (2 Chronicles 20:3)

Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away. (Ezra 10:6)

Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast to plead with God for salvation from an enemy army that he could not overcome himself. Ezra fasted to ask God's forgiveness for his people in the midst of a national revival. The people had intermarried with unbelievers and Ezra convinced them to divorce them.
Today God's people might be on the verge of a general revival. It is common for believers to marry unbelievers and be led into worldly thinking. Often the unbeliever in the marriage is a nominal believer. It is common for believers to follow their unrestrained passions into a marriage that is calculated by the Devil to destroy their effectiveness in reaching the world with the gospel. If Ezra used the doleful evil of divorce as a remedy for them, then how sinful must such marriages be? Do not even think about going there.
Jehoshaphat was victorious over his enemy because he humbled himself under God. When we allow God to be the hero in our lives he will show us what a hero he can be. In these last days we are called to fast. Not necessarily a literal fast; we will discover the kind of fast in later verses. But fasting means hating sin and wanting change, it means acting to bring about change in the way God has commanded.
If we humble ourselves under God he will give us victory over sin in our lives and victory in spreading the gospel. If we humble ourselves under God he will forgive us for the sins we have been involved in even though we may not have done the things ourselves. Ask the Father to forgive his people their sins and bring a revival of basic right living (primitive godliness) and be prepared to be part of that revival. Jesus deserves the power of God, and he has put it at your disposal. You need it. Use it.

Shine of Oil

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. (Isaiah 58:4)

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:16-18)

Jesus does not value piety which is calculated to impress other people. Anointing your head and washing your face are normal parts of grooming, Jesus is not commanding that we deliberately conceal our piety. When I fast, or give beyond my means I have found that concealing my piety is too easy, and people are not blessed by my example as they could have been. But there is a fine line here between that and doing good in a way that will maximise the value others put on me. I know very well the burning desire that others might know what a good thing I have just done. I know the fanciful longing that at least one person that I would want to impress would have been watching. I know the way I have found an excuse to tell people about it. It should be enough for me that God knew. It should be enough that God was watching. It should be enough that Jesus will tell everybody about it some day.
Sometimes relating a good deed you have done is useful and acceptable, and sometimes concealing it is unhelpful. We are going to need to ask the Father to transform us in the name of Jesus so that we might desire above all to please him and not humans. When we seek to please God we will not conceal the goodness that he has commanded to be a light on a hill.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
But we will be deliberate in maximising the pleasure of God not the praise of men.

Avoid and Overcome

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Romans 13:14)

Are you struggling with temptation? Ask Jesus to be Lord of your life and get the source of temptation out of your reach. Jesus who overcame temptation is able to deliver us from temptation also.

Tips for Taxis

3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.

6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

8 The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:3-12)

I'm happily busy again, but I must take some time to learn from God. This chapter of Proverbs is especially good for Taxi Drivers, I'm training to be one at the moment. Hopefully because of the flexibility I will be able to work around my erratic missionary schedule. I'm not a foreign missionary, I'm a part-time missionary in my home country.

Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. (Proverbs 13:18)

I will get taught today, and I ought to listen. If I get reproved I ought to as well. Do you want to be "successful"? The word of God suggests then that you do the same.

Prevailing Prayer

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. (Isaiah 58:4)

13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God? (Joel 2:13-14)

7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: (Jonah 3:7)

There is a right way to fast. To come to God with a broken heart. Even when your heart does not feel broken, you can come before God and search your heart and confess your sin. Have you been selfish, proud or undisciplined? Confess it to God and ask to be forgiven and changed in Jesus' name. You can go without food in a special time of soul-searching, or go without other things. Perhaps you should continually go without some of the luxuries life offers and give the money to worthy causes instead. These all help you to receive God's instruction and discipline. God will give it because Jesus has made his unlimited credit available to you if you follow him.
The (wicked) king of (wicked) Nineveh knew to proclaim the kind of fast recommended by God in the book of Joel:
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. (Jonah 3:8-10)
God is not controllable, but he is reliable. If you do what he tells you to, he will not fail to do what he has promised, no matter how bad you have been.
I am starting to include regular soul-searching in my morning prayers, from my study of the sanctuary I think it's something you should consider doing too.

Understand

O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. (Proverbs 8:3)

For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6)

Please excuse a brief digression into Proverbs. We learn things from other people, but often what they teach us is not quite right. God commands us to be men and women of understanding: to know the truth and how it fits together (or something like that).
I just realised that my writing style is like the book of Proverbs: [idea]: [repetitiously enlarge on the same idea]. I have been over-using semicolons though: I just looked them up and normally they are supposed to be for contrasting ideas. I need to use colons more often: particularly when I'm repeating and enlarging. I often repeat and enlarge; but I frequently use semicolons in the proper way too.
This similarity to Proverbs may come from the fact that I read a chapter of Proverbs daily for a few years when I was in my last few years at school and was really developing my writing style.
God commands us to become men and women of understanding.
Do you want to know what's right in a situation and what is best? You need wisdom and understanding.
Wisdom is a gift from God; ask and you will receive (Jas 1:5).
Understanding comes from God's word: found in the Bible.
It's right there and you can receive it; go ahead.

Low Blow

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. (Isaiah 58:4)

1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. (Acts 23:1-2)

14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: (Philippians 1:14-15)

These passages are connected to the word "smite" in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. In one passage we see a man misusing his power from God to hurt God's servant. In the other we see men using the hurt of God's servant to spread his message. I can imagine Paul today, having his sermons parodied on YouTube, and even this bringing souls into the kingdom. Why isn't that kind of thing happening? I guess it's basically because we are not really doing anything worth mocking or persecuting.

In Isaiah 58:4 we find that God's people are fasting in order to punch someone unjustly. This could be literal, but when I read it I picture a professed believer fasting in order to score points in a debate. It is good to pray and fast together to resolve a debate. But not to use these sacred things as tools to manipulate the outcome of the debate.

There are many ways we can manipulate the church using good words and fair speeches (Rom 16:18). "Don't you want to help the starving children?" is not a good reason to sanction entertainment that is contrary to God's commandments, regardless of what it is raising funds for. "We can be a witness to them." is not a good reason to invite teachers of lies into God's church. These or similar lines of argument are used so often that they are almost a fact of life. But they always hurt, because they force those who will be faithful to God to appear devoid of feeling. If you relate to this then beware the danger that you do may actually become hardened in reality, and that is a perilous thing. You will need to be very generous to compensate for the false giving you need to abstain from.

If I do church God's way and it succeeds; then God gets the credit (glory). If I do church any other way and succeed; I get the credit and I betray God. I want to labour for God's cause in God's way.

Greater Damnation or Greater Charity

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. (Isaiah 58:4)

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (Matthew 6:16)

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. (Matthew 23:14)

Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. (Luke 20:47)

Did you know it is possible to be punished more in hell than others? The way some people understand hell, this would be impossible since everyone would be punished infinitely. But Jesus teaches that those who claim to represent God and be very holy but are not the real thing will be punished more (than those who make no such claims I suppose). Even today there are some circles where you can get praise of men for doing some right things such as fasting. Not many today… but some. In the past there were many people who would praise and reverence you for seeming religious.
There are some people today however who are praised for seeming good, and if the goodness of those people is fake then they will receive the greater damnation (condemnation/ punishment). I am thinking of believers and unbelievers alike who advocate fashionable causes that are promoted as highly ethical and derided as highly idealistic. I would like to be careful to promote things that do much good but are not too impractical. Children in Africa don't really need powdered cows milk, many of them are lactose intolerant anyway. What they need is mothers that do not die of AIDs. What African mothers do not so much need is more medicines for AIDs. They need the security and justice that would protect them from contracting the disease in the first place. You can look very good and be very bad, or look very bad and be very good. I would choose the latter over the former.

So what is a simple gospel truth for this topic?
Do good and you will be rewarded for ever in God's paradise.
If you just do things that will make people like you, why should God give you more reward?

Ask Jesus to make you a good person when nobody is watching. May he transform every one of us.

Get Rich Fast

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. (Isaiah 58:4)

9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: 10 And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. 11 And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. 12 They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people. 13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. (1 Kings 21:9-13)

The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? (Proverbs 21:27)

What a stark example of wrong fasting! This one is a shocker! Queen Jezebel helping Ahab out by using valid religious ceremonies to wickedly murder a man who refused to break God's law. What an abomination to God that whole fast must have been. Don't think it can't happen again; if Isaiah 58 is relevant today then it is probably happening now in God's church. Are leaders calling religious rituals like fasting in order to build themselves up and to bring others down? I'm not sure I've seen that. But I do know that my behaviour is influenced by other people in ways I'm not very comfortable with. I'm inclined to fast when others are doing it because I don't want them to think I'm impious (devoted to God). We need to take other people into account when we make decisions, because we should avoid causing another to stumble (1 Cor 8:13). But if my motivation for any kind of piety (devotion to God) is selfish that piety will not help me to perfect the christian character that I need to be a citizen of heaven.
Only Jesus can change our motivations, we must pray that he transform our motives and thoughts.

Exacting or Exhorting

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. (Isaiah 58:3)

28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matthew 18:28-35)

I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke. (Isaiah 47:6)

23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. (Exodus 2:23-24)

Bear in mind that this message is to those who forsake not the ordinance of their God. They are essentially good people as we would judge it. It seems that we need to forgive more and not require so much of others, it's hard to know what this means practically though. Should we ignore the failures of those who claim to represent God and remain under their influence. I doubt it. And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. (Ezekiel 9:4) We need to mourn for the wicked in God's church; it seems this is a condition of receiving the seal of God. It's not that we need to separate from the midst of Jerusalem, but to come before God in sorrow over its evils not before men. However the Rechabites (Jeremiah 35) were commended for their conservative lifestyle and living outside the city; they escaped the fate of the other Jews for this reason. So it is not true that we all ought to live in the midst of wickedness; but we ought to sigh and cry for the wickedness of God's professed people.
But back to exacting labours. If we believe that soon Jesus will come and the elements shall melt with fervent heat (2 Pet 3:12) then it doesn't make sense for us to care a lot about getting the most out of those who serve us. It makes sense for us to want to give the most to those we serve. That doesn't sound so new. Well, it shouldn't be new, but it's not how we live. The public system of education trains us to get as much as we can for as little effort as possible. That sounds like a good idea doesn't it? It's not a good idea. We were made to give. God's economy is give and it shall be given unto you not take and take then give a bit when you have to. God's economy will tend to make us impoverished in this age but rich in the next, and rich in character today.
At this time in earth's history more than any other we need to be willing to follow Jesus' instructions in the Sermon on the Mount and deal generously with others to our own disadvantage; because that is what God is like.

Slavery

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. (Isaiah 58:3)

Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. (Nehemiah 5:7)

He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. (Proverbs 28:8)

9 That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother. 10 Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go. 11 But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids.
12 Therefore the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 13 Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondmen, saying, 14 At the end of seven years let ye go every man his brother an Hebrew, which hath been sold unto thee; and when he hath served thee six years, thou shalt let him go free from thee: but your fathers hearkened not unto me, neither inclined their ear. 15 And ye were now turned, and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming liberty every man to his neighbour; and ye had made a covenant before me in the house which is called by my name: 16 But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom ye had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids. 17 Therefore thus saith the Lord; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the Lord, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. (Jeremiah 34:9-17)

Is there a liberty that we ought to be proclaiming? Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Rom 8:21) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me (Jesus), because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:18-19)

We have a gospel to tell. A gospel that relates to every aspect of life and brings healing in every area of life. A gospel that when followed brings healing from physical sickness, and peace and harmony in social relations. A gospel that when followed brings freedom to slaves and all oppressed. A gospel that when followed causes the wealthy to give up their slaves and thus sacrifice earthly riches for heavenly riches. There are many who do not understand the full implications of this gospel but are trying to follow it sincerely. Do not condemn them; but speak the truth in love as it is in Jesus and pray that their lives might be powerfully transformed. It will happen, and the work will be done before we know it and Jesus is coming soon.

Miserable

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. (Isaiah 58:3)

When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. (Psalm 69:10)

2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. (Daniel 10:2-3)

For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. (Jonah 3:6)

In the day that you fast you have a great time and go about your business. Compare that with I wept... with fasting... and I Daniel was mourning... and laid his robe from him... and sat in ashes. This makes it pretty clear what the problem was with their fasting at its root. They were doing the right thing but really it wasn't such a big deal to them. In the other cases of fasting here the suppliant was downright miserable. Generally speaking we should be joyful and positive, but there is a place for mourning. When there is something worth moaning about and the time and place are appropriate then moaning is the right thing to do. Paul writes If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. (1 Corinthians 15:19) But he writes that the hope of the resurrection changed that. I conclude that we should expect that at some times our joy in life will come only from the hope of the resurrection. Some people would call that negative, I call it the truth.
Do you want revival? Do you want reformation? Do you want the gospel to reach the world?
Agonising for these things in your heart will bring them closer. Outward fasting can help you to agonise, but in itself it is no replacement for actual agonising.

Affliction, Atonement and Azazel

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. (Isaiah 58:3)

29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: 30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. 31 It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever. (Leviticus 16:29-31)

27 Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord. (Leviticus 23:27)

In Daniel 8:14 there is a record of prophetic time culminating in the cleansing (atonement) of the sanctuary, which is described here. As people living since that time the Day of Atonement (cleansing) is particularly relevant to us, and unsurprisingly that ritual is connected to Isaiah 58. This is the ritual of the Day of Atonement; where the High Priest would go into the inner sanctum of the temple for the only time that year and would enact a unique ritual. This ritual included casting lots over two sacrificial goats and driving one (misnamed "scapegoat") away to die in the wilderness instead of killing it on the spot. This happened after the sanctuary was ritually cleansed and the ritual corruption of sin was put on the goat that would be led into the wilderness. This is quite different from the other sacrifices which were killed to represent Jesus' death and their blood used to represent Jesus' blood which was spilled to save us from sin (the Christian Scriptures (NT) make it clear that it is Jesus' blood that saves).

The other goat did not have it's blood spilled, and so can't represent Jesus' sacrifice; the identity of this goat can be found in his original title: The Goat of Azazel. Azazel was the name attributed to the Devil who was thought to live in the wilderness. The scapegoat is actually the Goat of the Devil, and his part of the ritual shows that the Devil will be revealed as ultimately culpable for sin and be punished accordingly. God commanded his people to have a time of thorough repentance, abstaining from things like food and business and this was for their good. The Jews were fasting and afflicting their souls as commanded in Leviticus but according to Isaiah it was only superficial.

Modern spiritual Israel has been called to figuratively fast, afflict our souls and rest as if on Sabbath while our Great High Priest in heaven makes atonement for us (Hebrews 9:11 etc). The Jewish Day of Atonement was meant to point forward to this time at the end of Earth's history just like the Passover pointed to the cross. But what does this mean for us? Are we not allowed to work? Or eat? That doesn't make sense. There must be some significance to the Sabbath for this time, but from these texts I can't see much more than that. Fasting carries the idea of going without good things for a time. I think Christians in this day ought to be willing to go without many good things in order to show that we really believe this world is nearing its close.

Probably the easiest to understand for me at the moment is the reference to afflicting our souls. It means searching our hearts and by the power of the Holy Spirit being cleansed from sin. It means resolving that nothing will get between me and my Saviour. It means quitting anything that might be dragging you down spiritually, even if you are not sure. Oh there are some things in my life I am thinking of. It means running the race to win (1 Corinthians 9) and not letting anything become an excuse for holding on to sin. With man all this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:21)
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:19)

Reformed Requests

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. (Isaiah 58:3)

And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: (Luke 15:29)

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. (Luke 18:9-12)

Why is it that we have prayer meetings and revival meetings and optional fasting and yet revival has not come? Revival and reformation. A great theme for a church to have at any time. People love revival, from what we have heard (because surely we've never experienced a real one) revivals are exiting and blissful. Revivals bring solutions to all our problems and more willing converts than we can deal with. That is what we have heard anyway.
What about reformation? I am glad not all church leaders have forgotten about reformation in the endless proclamation of revival. In my insignificant opinion, revival and reformation cannot exist in isolation from each other. What is reformation? Reform; turning from our wicked and lawless ways back to Jesus' way. It means tithing, soul-winning, health-reforming, dress-reforming, temperance, daily devotions, free-will offerings, congregations actually singing in church, an interest in doctrine-heavy sermons, expression of praise for God's providential working, diligence to forgive, refusal to become bitter, idle talk replaced with talk of Jesus and the glories of heaven, speculation replaced with study and peer pressure within the church replaced with unconditional love of the brethren. Reformation is what revival looks like. If you want revival, don't criticise the lady that wears skirts or the man that isn't interested in sport. If you want true revival, you will need to let God make you into a conservative. It's not that painful, really. I don't mean all conservatives are revived, the verses above show that the superficially reformed are not always sincerely revived. Don't try to be conservative for its own sake. Immerse yourself in the teachings of Jesus in his book (Bible) and become the person it tells you to. This might mean you get branded as "conservative" and you may even get some things wrong, but if you are not willing to take this risk and follow Jesus you will only hold revival back.
These passages of the Bible show us that when you pray, pray, pray and hear nothing, nothing, nothing there is a problem; not with God but probably with you. Are you asking selfishly, presumptuously or simply harbouring known sin? God - like the prodigal father - wants to give you all the good stuff; is it possible that like the older son you are just not asking for the good stuff?

Sacrifice

1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.
15 And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. 19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba. (Genesis 22:1-19)

No sacrifice you or I can make to have Jesus is greater than the sacrifice he made to have us. Goals, plans and reputation are not too precious. Jesus is lord of all and I give him my allegiance.

Murmuring

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. (Isaiah 58:3)


Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? (Malachi 3:14)

11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. (Matthew 20:11-12)

I took a while to see the connection with the last passage. Here people who have genuinely served God and are rewarded are still disappointed that they are not given more than those who did not serve so much. How is this related to the point of this parable stated twice clearly in sandwich form before and after it is given?
So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (Matthew 20:16)
I'm not sure I fully understand it, but here's something: Those who laboured long did it knowing their reward would be full and eternal inheritance of Jesus' eternal universal kingdom. I'm not sure how you could get a better reward than that, but I can imagine their feelings. Those who are converted late and work (fervently no doubt but...) only for a short time receive exactly the same infinitely wonderful reward. Our normal reasoning would be that they should get less and not that the others should get more, but when they get the full inheritance it makes you feel the conscientious are getting short-changed somehow. That's how I usually feel anyway.
I feel many times and in many ways that I am the late worker, but sometimes I feel that I am the long worker. Is one group unsaved or in some way inferior to the other? That seems to be implied by the reason the parable is told. It seems to imply that the late worker is actually better, but that doesn't fit well with the kind of diligence widely promoted in the Bible.
Is thine eye evil, because I am good? (verse 15) I suppose the problem is their attitude towards the work, and this attitude seems enough to cost them dearly... few chosen. That's a bit scary.

When I think of my work for the Gospel I know I often feel it is a drag. I wish I could spend more time with people that are open to the Gospel and less time looking for new contacts. It seems tough, but I know it builds character and it works for finding people too. I should be so grateful that I can be paid to do it, and somewhere in my mind I am. But the feeling is never far away that I wish I could go back to manual work, where as I long as I do my job I don't need to be really nice, take initiative or get treated like a kind of person that I am not. In short I wish I didn't need to grow spiritually. Of course people can grow spiritually in any job, but God seems adamant that this one is for me. God really does know best and gives me the best; I know that from my own experience. Those doubting and murmuring thoughts that God assigned me the wrong job are Satanic and must be driven from my mind by prayer.

All these passages show me that I am not alone in feeling at times like God's plans are not for me. I think so often we substitute a show of good Christianity for actually doing what Christ says, which is just so much further from what we want. Satan has worked hard to cultivate in our minds a distaste for useful labour for the Kingdom of Heaven, but Jesus is powerful to change tastes and I throw myself down on his grace for the transformation that I need.

By the way, murmuring against God is a sin.

Pray and Obey

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. (Isaiah 58:3)


9 Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. 10 They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. 11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us. (Micah 3:9-11)

5 Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? 6 And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? 7 Should ye not hear the words which the Lord hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain? (Zechariah 7:5-7)


Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? (Malachi 3:14)

I have seen this Zechariah reference before and I think I have commented on it in this blog; but I may not remember rightly, and I will comment more anyway. These passages make me think of numerous prayer meetings with little prayer. They remind me of my own mixed history of prayer. Prayer really seems to work, I am shocked at answered prayers sometimes. Shocked that the weather has cleared when I needed it for mission work (just in the local community, not an exotic spot) after praying. Shocked that clashes in my schedule worked themselves out in answer to prayer. Shocked that very specific prayers have been answered at times, though often in such a way that I know God just wanted to show me his power but did not really plan to do some of those things. As a small child I prayed for the life of a tree, it was revived but continued to be sickly before I finally put it down. I prayed for a job and got one that day, I liked it, but it only lasted one day, I was simply never called back to work. It was the final nail in the coffin for my wish to have a "normal" job so I did not need to put all my eggs in the church basket. I never aspired to church work, and I still find some aspects of it painful. But God is training me and I know I am privileged to be paid to serve God. Am I like the bad priests mentioned above serving God for hire? Maybe, I hope not and I don't think so. Each one of us must earn money in our working hours, but what we do in our entire life determines if we are serving God or money. I seek to stand for truth and justice and also mercy in my workplace, which we should all do.

So much rambling, I need to go soon and I have barely touched on the verses. Obey God and pray; don't attempt one without the other. That's the message of today. If God calls you to be a church worker like us Jonahs then pray and obey. If God calls you to give more than a tithe of your money to him (in the person of an individual or organisation he is convicting you about now) then pray and obey. If God calls you to change your lifestyle to be consistent with his word then pray and obey.
You need Jesus, ask and you will receive.

Prophet and Profit

Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. (Isaiah 58:3)

And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon every altar a bullock and a ram. (Numbers 23:4)

What an interesting reference to the new verse of Isaiah 58, (courtesy of Treasury of Scripture Knowledge) it reinforces the point quite well.
Balaam was a true prophet, but tried to use his gift for evil gain. Was it wrong for Nathan to be essentially employed by King David? Hardly, earning money from God's gifts is not wrong in itself, but making money by exploitation using God's gifts is.
Balaam agreed to try to curse God's people for money. God met with him as related in this verse and Balaam offered sacrifices to God evidently in the hope of manipulating him into agreeing to curse his people for Balaam's profit. But we find that God simply put words of blessing into his prophet's mouth, showing that when a true prophet prophesies, he or she cannot speak or write any false words. After he prophesied, Balaam gave clever and wicked advice to bring a curse on God's people. This shows that when they are not prophesying, prophets can be wrong.
But back to the general point of Isaiah 58:3...
I'm sure I have had the experience of praying and even fasting for something and God doesn't seem to hear. Is it possible that when we pray and fast - be it for revival, conversions or answered prayers - it is not effective because we are lacking something. It is very interesting how there is a contrast drawn here where people are fasting and praying but still carefully transacting business and enjoying leisure. I have certainly been guilty of this second part. I used to refrain from working on Sunday on principle and often fasted too, but I spent the whole time playing computer games (war games). In my defence, I did not try to pretend to anyone that I was doing it out of devotion to God. I was doing it openly out of devotion to computer games. As I gradually began to worship God as my god, he brought people into my life to show me what the Sabbath really is and who helped me to see godliness for what it really is. When I fast now I know that it must be a lot more than just not eating if I want to draw nearer to God.

Hypocrites

Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. (Isaiah 58:2)

14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:14-16)

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6)

There were a lot of commandments given by the Jewish Rabbis that were additional and often contradictory to the commandments of God in the Bible. Jesus straightened this out in his ministry, but the church needed constant reminding that Jewish laws not found in the Bible were just traditions and were not binding on Christians. Paul is hardly saying that for good people filthy things become pure and for evil people good things like the Bible become filthy.
The pure see the world through God's eyes of love; they avoid (and when appropriate oppose) the filthy, but their thoughts dwell on the pure and the world is a beautiful place. I aspire to this, may I attain it by the power of Jesus in my life.
The defiled fill their minds with evil and often regard pure things as evil. At least in the case of the people Paul is talking about here, they are similar to those in Isaiah 58; they are professed followers of God. They love to talk about the truth and holy living but their character is still defiled as shown by their actions. They speak words of great faith and devotion to God but their behaviour, perhaps including the way they speak shows selfishness and pride.
The last passage included here was referenced in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge but I don't really see that it is relevant at all. It is a somewhat perplexing verse for myself and many others I think. Those who believe we cannot lose our salvation are perplexed by the reference to losing it. Those who believe  we can lose it are perplexed by the stated impossibility of regaining salvation, which would seemingly condemn us all. All I can say to those two is that it must be referring to the blaspheming away the Holy Spirit which would be surely necessary to do in order to leave the early church with all its amazing miracles and first hand knowledge of Jesus. In our day the church has fallen really quite far and as far as most people know it all we have is a book which is only as powerful as the faith people have in it. Perhaps Paul was speaking more to his own time that all times, but I do not profess to have an answer, only to believe that the Bible is inspired and I will obey everything in it that I am able to understand without ignoring some parts of Scripture to do so.

It is so easy to admire and imitate those who talk big about Jesus and don't live out their profession, I've been guilty of it and just realised recently. It's easy for big talkers to obey the superficial things, often but not always traditions; like manner of eating and dressing. These can be good themselves and show consecration, but the greater matters which show a selfless character must be the overbearing current of the words and actions or the big talker is a hypocrite.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Matthew 23:23)
Being conservative in your lifestyle is a good thing, and I believe all consecrated people will move towards being more conservative in their lifestyle. But godly lifestyle without godly character is hypocrisy, Jesus needs to change you from the inside and that will mean big heart-wrenching changes, no matter how good or conservative other people think you are.
So should we ignore conservatives when they are hypocrites or simply not very nice? Not all all, as Jesus taught:
2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. (Matthew 23:2-3)
If the Christians were to obey the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees because of their authority, how much more should we obey the authority of God's inspired law when we are rebuked by a modern hypocrite?

I Hear and Obey

Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. (Isaiah 58:2)

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. (Mark 4:16-17)

For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. (Mark 6:20)

He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. (John 5:35)

It is remarkable really how people can like hearing the truth but still refuse to practice it themselves. There were many in the past like this, and there are many today. The latest manifestation of this is to listen to many rousing sermons at revival meetings and on the internet but not actually make the effort to be transformed. If you hear a message that convicts you then you ought to do something about it afterwards. Hearing is the essential first step, but action must follow.
Many people refuse to hear the truth, they will be condemned for their willing ignorance, but of the few who gladly listen many fail to act on what they hear and for this they will be condemned. Herod and his subjects liked listening to John the Baptist's "challenging" sermons but never "responded to the appeal" and reformed. How many of the professed faithful are like that today? Herod killed John because of peer pressure, and are these professed Christians safe from the same kind of weakness? There may well come a time when many who loved to hear the truth from God's faithful ministers will be the ones who betray them to the enemy.
To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts... (Psalm 95:7-8 quoted in Hebrews 3:7-8)
You know some truth, act on it in faith now or the little that you know will be taken from you (Luke 8:18).

Lip Service

Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. (Isaiah 58:2)

30 Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the Lord. 31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. 32 And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. 33 And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them. (Ezekiel 33:30-33)

7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:7-9)

"It's not about ticking boxes, it's about a relationship." How often is this true statement used as a cover for the iniquity described above? It is true that our obedience should come from a relationship with Jesus, and not as a formula to obtain favour from God or man. But usually the people I hear using such words defy biblical principles and justify themselves or each other by using this statement.
Most churches you find will be full of people drawing near to Jesus with their lips, especially expressing sublime devotion in the songs they sing. But when you get to know the people, a disconnect will be apparent between their words and actions. This seems to me to be especially characteristic of Contemporary Christian Music which tends to focus more on the devotion and love of the worshipper than the worshipped. I read a proverb once that reminded me of the song leaders of this genre:
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. (Proverbs 26:23)
Not to say that many of them aren't converted Christians, but according to some who have been part of that scene; many of these talented young people are open infidels when they are not on the stage. This culture is well and truly taking over the church perhaps because speaking words of passionate love for Jesus while openly spitting in his face through disobedience to his commandments is becoming normal. The church is full of Judases.
But we should take heart in the fact that God has not made it our responsibility to force others to be sincere. Jesus will thresh out his wheat and separate the sheep from the goats. Each one of us ought to carefully obey Jesus and plead with the Father to transform us into his character by the Holy Spirit as we read his word. Then we can be saved as a brand plucked from a blazing world and who knows but we may save others with us.

The Standard of Loyalty

Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. (Isaiah 58:2)


21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal. 22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. 24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. 25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord. (1 Samuel 15:21-25)


The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. (Proverbs 15:8)

What was wrong with Saul? I've had a lecturer (not a Christian) who claimed Saul was really better than David. Though I've since realised that he can't have really believed that, it challenged me to consider why Saul was replaced as king. What is the reason that God removes a man from a position of great honour and power? I think the answer is here in this passage. When confronted with his sin, Saul admits guilt but shifts blame onto others and seems more interested in being restored than remorseful. Saul did not really think his sin was so bad or so much his fault; he was proud and therefore unteachable.
I have had the same kind of attitude often enough. But by God's grace I know what it means to really hate sin and want to overcome it. When I finally hate sin and want to overcome it, the battle of overcoming is already on the way to being won. Things get gradually or suddenly better from the point of real repentance. Jesus won me the privilege of repentance which only the Holy Spirit can give me, but if I refuse it and defend myself when God brings conviction, I destroy the means of my own victory.
God doesn't want us to just fulfil the superficial rituals of truth, he wants us to do that and also be changed deep down. Once the ritual was sacrifice, but loving obedience (which is greater) was also necessary. Now the rituals include churchgoing and baptism, but loving obedience is still the primary standard that Jesus wants us to live up to. Shaking off the rituals of true religion will not save you any more than keeping them, you need the Holy Spirit to transform you to a life of loving obedience to God's deep, searching commandments.

Be or Do

Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. (Isaiah 58:2)


Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness. 2 For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The Lord of hosts is his name. (Isaiah 48:1-2)

And the Lord heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the Lord said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. 29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! (Deuteronomy 5:28-29)

When God's people in this day fail to live up to his requirement for them, people say it is evidence that their doctrine is false or evidence that doctrine is not important. But God is clear that he has specific doctrines and laws for us, which would benefit us greatly if we would be faithful to them. The problem is not the Bible doctrines and Bible laws, but the faithlessness of God's people who fail to live up to them. If I wear appropriate clothes but cause another to stumble by my words and actions, I am a sinner for my words and actions but that does not make my clothes inappropriate.
I notice that those who reject the standards of the conservative Christian defend their licentiousness on the basis that conservatives are mean. Conservative Christians who are mean should correct their behaviour, but that is no reason for them to cease important dress reform. One who dresses properly should not feel perfect on that ground, there are deeper and more challenging gains to be made on the front of character transformation.
Because of the way sonship works; to be God's child is to be like him in character: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:9-10)
We may be the people that can lay claim to being God's commandment-keeping people; but we have a long way to go as individuals before we can really fill those shoes. Some of the ways of doing that will unfold in the latter verses of Isaiah 58.