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Verse Takeaways
1
Heart Over Ritual
Commentators stress that God rejected the people's fasting because it was purely external. While they performed the religious ritual, their hearts were filled with anger, strife, and violence. Scholars like Calvin and Spurgeon explain that any religious act, no matter how pious it appears, is worthless or even offensive to God if it's not accompanied by a sincere heart that genuinely seeks to honor Him and love others.
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Book Overview
Isaiah
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Commentaries
9
Albert Barnes
On Isaiah 58:4
18th Century
Theologian
Behold, you fast for strife and debate – This is a third characteristic of their manner of fasting, and a third reason why God did …
Charles Ellicott
On Isaiah 58:4
19th Century
Bishop
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate. —The words possibly point to the psychological fact that an unspiritual fasting ir…
Charles Spurgeon
On Isaiah 58:4
19th Century
Preacher
Behold, you fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: you shall not fast as you do this day, to make your voice to …
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John Calvin
On Isaiah 58:4
16th Century
Theologian
Behold, for strife and contention you fast. This verse ought to be connected with the end of the preceding verse; for, having in the forme…
John Gill
On Isaiah 58:4
17th Century
Pastor
Behold, you fast for strife and debate Brawling with their servants for not doing work enough; or quarrelling with their …
Matthew Henry
On Isaiah 58:3–12
17th Century
Minister
A fast is a day to afflict the soul; if it does not express true sorrow for sin, and does not promote the putting away of sin, it is not a fast. Th…