Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 58:7

"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 (ASV)

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?

That is the kind of fast that the Lord approves,– to deny yourself that you may give to those who are in need.

Is it not to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor that are cast out to your house? when you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you do not hide yourself from your own flesh?

For they are your own flesh and blood. Though they may be total strangers to you, yet they are human beings like yourself. This is the fast that God delights in, when people take care to look after the poor, and to relieve the distressed when this is done—

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?

When you know that there are poor persons, perhaps of your own family and friends – and, in one respect, we are all of one flesh – when we know that there are such, and yet refuse to help them, it is idle to talk about fasting. But if we would see to this, then comes this promise.