Introduction:

This week's SSLesson deals with the integral part of God's dealing with human family. His plan of salvation waging His great LOVE permeated from generation to generation through the human race. Inspiration says, "The Christian's life is now but just begun. He must, as exhorted by the apostle, "go on unto perfection." He must bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. If we believe in Jesus, we will love to think of him, love to talk of him, love to pray to him. He is supreme in our affections. We love that which Christ loves, and hate that which Christ hates. {RH, May 30, 1882 par. 10}

The salvation of man cost a dear price, even the life of the Lord of glory, which He freely gave to lift man from degradation, and to exalt him to become heir of the world. God has so ordained that man shall aid his fellowman in the great work of redemption." -- {1T. 545}

Outline of the Study:

Plan of Redemption: The High Cost of Salvation - Free! - Isaiah 55:1-7

The Invitation for Blessings: verses 1-2

The Invitation to be Led: verses 3-5

The Invitation to be Forgiven: verses 6-7

Beyond our Understanding: Glorious ways of God - Isaiah 55:8-13

A Reminder of the Difference and Distance between God and man: verses 8-9

The Glorious Operation of the Word of God: verses 10-11

The Joy and Blessing of Restoration: verses 12-13

Fasting: Fasting that Displeases God - Isaiah 58:1-5

Blessings of True Worship

God's People Ask: "Why do our Prayers go Unanswered? - verses 1-3a

God Exposes the Shallow Worship of His People - verses 3b-5

Fasting that Pleases God: Isaiah 58:6-12

The Character and Blessings of True Worship

The Kind of Worship and Fasting most Acceptable to God - verse 6-7

The Blessings God Promises for the True Worshipper - verses 8-12

Sabbaths: Delighting in God - Isaiah 58:13-14

Memory Verse:

“If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday” (Isaiah 58:10, NKJV)

Prayer Thought:

"God bids us fill the mind with great thoughts, pure thoughts. He desires us to meditate upon His love and mercy, to study His wonderful work in the great plan of redemption. Then clearer and still clearer will be our perception of truth, higher, holier, our desire for purity of heart and clearness of thought. The soul dwelling in the pure atmosphere of holy thought will be transformed by communion with God through the study of the Scriptures.

"'And bring forth fruit.' Those who, having heard the word, keep it, will bring forth fruit in obedience. The word of God, received into the soul, will be manifest in good works. Its results will be seen in a Christlike character and life. Christ said of Himself, 'I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart.' 'I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me.' And the Scripture says, 'He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.'" {2TG 26.12}

The Plan of Redemption:

The High Cost of Salvation - Free:- Isaiah 55:1-7

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isaiah 55:1)

Invitation for blessings: Verses 1-2

Soon there is to be trouble all over the world. It becomes everyone to seek to know God. We have no time to delay. With earnestness and fervor the message must be given: "Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1. "Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for My salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the Son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil." Isaiah 56:1, 2. {9T 228.1}

It is peace that you need—Heaven’s forgiveness and peace and love in the soul. Money cannot buy it, intellect cannot procure it, wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by your own efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to you as a gift, “without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1. {CSA 29.3}

No human agent can supply that which will satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul. But Jesus says, . . ."I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." John 6:35. . . . {FLB 109.4}

Verse 1, 2: The word "Ho" signifies "whosoever, or "anyone that will hear". It was not so in the Old Testament time, for the Jew then thought the Bible was for the descendants of Abraham only. "Come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money." Water is the most essential article to sustain life; both human, animal, and vegetable. It is the most abundant substance, and without it life is impossible. In this verse it is meant to represent spiritual life, which is bounded by Eternity. Jesus, speaking to the woman at the well, said, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14.

Water is composed of two elements; namely, oxygen and hydrogen. Without hydrogen life cannot exist, and without oxygen, life would cease in less than fifteen minutes. Water is never sold; it is free. The price we pay in the cities is not for the water, but for the service rendered in bringing this necessity to us for daily use. Neither is it for sale in the Scriptures, but is offered free. No price can be set for life eternal. If it was sold, no one could buy it, therefore the symbol used here is perfect. It would be impossible to substitute any other earthly articles to represent spiritual life.

Ho: The prophet calls out, loud and clear, to all that can hear. This is an important announcement and is therefore prefaced with this unique call.

Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters: It is an invitation to everyone – specifically, to everyone who thirsts. Only those who thirst will come to the waters. If we aren’t thirsty for what the Lord can give us, then we will never come to His waters. Jesus may have had this passage from Isaiah in mind when He cried out, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. (John 7:37)

You who have no money, come, buy, and eat: Those who do thirst, and answer the Lord’s invitation, don’t need to bring money. Their money won’t really do them any good. They can simply bring their trust and faith and receive what God has to give them.

Waters…. wine…milk: It’s all free. It isn’t that the entrance into the Christian life is free, and then we must be charged to advance in the Christian life. It’s all free; our growth is just as much a gift of grace as our salvation.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? In His invitation, God asked His people to ask themselves – “Why do I spend money for what can’t satisfy?” This is a remarkably relevant question, in light of all the things we can pour our time and money and effort into – things which will never satisfy the way the Lord can satisfy.

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance: The invitation is clear. The offer is made, the provision is made, and everything is available – but we must still do some things.

First, we must listen carefully. The satisfaction God promises eludes those who will not both listen and listen carefully. It takes time, attention, and effort to listen carefully, and some aren’t willing to do this.

Second, we must eat what is good. This requires some discernment. We must choose what is good, and then eat that. Many just simply eat whatever spiritual meal is set before them, without taking care to see that it is good.

Third, we must let your soul delight itself in abundance. Even when we listen, even when we eat what is good, we still must let our soul delight itself in abundance. You can sit down at a great spiritual meal, but by your stubborn or bad attitude, simply not let your soul delight itself in abundance.

When God speaks, it is your duty to listen and obey. Remember that everything in the world is judged by appearances; therefore, study carefully the Word of God, and see that the words of instruction given to ancient Israel affect your arrangements and plans. While you shall not conform to the world, remember that our faith bears the stamp of singularity, and makes us a peculiar people. Therefore, all odd notions and individual peculiarities and narrow plans that would give false impressions of the greatness of the work, should be avoided. None of the workers should manufacture crosses and duties; for the Bible has given the rule, the cross, the way. {TSA 11.3}

Invitation to be led: Verses 3-5

Verse 3: Incline your ear: The thought carries over from the idea of let your soul delight itself in abundance. Whoever will genuinely “feast” upon the word must consciously incline their ear towards what God will say. This explains why two people can listen to the same message, and one benefit and the other not. Often, the one who did not benefit simply did not incline their ear to the Lord.

That voice which has long been speaking to your heart, but to which you would not listen, comes to you distinct and clear, "Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction." Micah 2:10. Return to your Father's house. He invites you, saying, "Return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee." "Come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." Isaiah 44:22; 55:3. {PK 319.3}

Hear, and your soul shall live: The benefit from inclining your ear to God is impressive. When we do it, we have life for our soul.

And I will make an everlasting covenant with you – the sure mercies of David: For the one who will listen to the Lord, God promises a covenant. From Isaiah’s perspective, this covenant is still in the future (I will make). The covenant is also characterized by the sure mercies of David.

God showed His great mercy to David; not only by sparing David’s life when he was guilty of murder and adultery, but also in blessings and preserving and guiding David every day of his life. If God promises us the same mercy He showed to David, we are blessed indeed.

As well, the mercies of David are sure. They are certain. God never gave up on David, never stopped showing him mercy. We can count on God when He promises to us the sure mercies of David.

I have given him as a witness to the people, a leader and a commander for the people: God promised the blessing of good and wise leadership as a part of His sure mercies. God gave David and his remarkable leadership as a gift to Israel; here God promised that He would keep giving this gift according to the pattern shown in David.

David was a witness in the sense that he had a real relationship, a real experience with God, and could speak to Israel as a witness of what he had seen and heard in that relationship with God. Notice that David was a witness to the people. A witness to, not of the people. David did not lead through popularity polls or just giving the people what they wanted. He witnessed something from God, and he gave testimony of it to the people.

David was a leader for Israel, leading them spiritually, politically, and militarily. He led both by his godly example and his shepherd’s heart. Notice that David was a leader and a commander for the people. Not a leader and a commander of the people, but for the people. He led with a shepherd’s heart that genuinely desired God’s best for the people.

Hos. 3:4, 5 -- "For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days." http://bit.ly/3kUOBR1

In this part of the prophecy, you see, we are told that after they have sojourned among the Gentiles for "many days" without a king, and without any sign of identification (having been entirely lost sight of as a nation and as a people), they shall finally have antitypical David rule over them. This would not be ancient David as he was already dead when this prophecy was made. Neither could this promised David be Christ Himself, for Christ is the son of David (Matt. 22:42), not David himself; and if He shall, moreover, sit on the throne of David (Lu. 1:32), then David must have a throne for Him to sit on. {2TG 43.16}

David was anointed king over Israel because God had daily seen him while he was a shepherd boy faithfully doing all he could to take the very best care of his father's sheep. God knew that if David would give even his life for sheep, he would be the right one to rule the kingdom. {12SC 4.8}

It’s curious that David is used here as God’s prototype for a leader. Curious in many ways, because David’s reign can be seen as quite troubled. He came to the throne of Israel through much struggle and difficulty. He slipped into terrible scandal, marked by murder and adultery. There was incest, rape, and murder among his own children. His reign was marred by an ugly civil war, in which his own son almost deposed him. Yet David is here lifted up as a wonderful leader of God’s people! This shows that David’s heart after God meant more than outward success, comfort, and ease. It also shows that God’s best and most effective leaders don’t necessarily have it easy.

David was a commander for Israel. Even with his tender shepherd’s heart, his leadership was bold and out-front. Because he had a sense of the heart of God, being a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), he could boldly lead God’s people.

These prophecies are fulfilled when God gives wonderful, David-like leadership to His people. They will be fulfilled ultimately when David – literal Antitypical King David.

Of that time, Jeremiah 30:9 says, But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

In Ezekiel 34:23-24 the Lord promises, I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them; My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.

Ezekiel 37:25 continues, Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever.

Because of the Lord your God, and the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you: Why do the nations flock to David and/or Israel? Because the Lord has lifted them up, in accordance with His blessings of restoration.

Invitation to be forgiven: Verses 6-7

Seek the Lord while He may be found: The prophet impresses a sense of urgency on God’s people. “This is the time. God can be found now. Seek Him now.” It isn’t that God is hidden and can only be found now. It is that He can only be found when our hearts are inclined to look for Him, and that inclination itself is a gift from God! We must receive the gift and make the most of it while we have it. Not seeking and failing to call upon Him while He is near, means we will not receive the blessings He promises.

Let the wicked forsake his way: The prophet impresses the need for repentance among God’s people. Repentance is simply turning around our way – turning from our own way, turning to God’s way. Simply, this is what it means to return to the Lord, and we can never walk on God’s way until we forsake our own way. The Lord’s glorious restoration works in and through our repentance.

Isaiah made an important point when he wrote, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Wickedness may be demonstrated by our actions (our way), but unrighteousness can be found in our very thoughts. The battleground for a righteous walk with the Lord is often found in our minds, in our thoughts.

The Apostle Paul knew this also when he wrote of bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), and how we must not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).

And He will have mercy on him: What a glorious promise! When we turn to the Lord, He will have mercy on us! In fact, He will abundantly pardon! The problem is never that we turn to the Lord and find that He rejects us. The problem is that we fail to return to the Lord.

“Salvation is a free gift, and yet it is to be bought and sold. In the market of which divine mercy has the management, the precious pearl is represented as being bought without money and without price. In this market all may obtain the goods of heaven […]

The gospel of Christ is a blessing that all may possess. The poorest are as well able as the richest to purchase salvation; for no amount of worldly wealth can secure it. It is obtained by willing obedience, by giving ourselves to Christ as His own purchased possession.” {COL 116-117}

Salvation is available to us for free. God does not want anything in return, it is for free.

However, we must buy it. It is not worthless, but priceless. It had a high cost. If we want it, we must value it, want it, and ask for it (Acts 16:30-31).

The death of God Himself was the cost of our salvation. However, God wants to give it to us for free as a gift of love (Romans 6:23).

Beyond our understanding: Glorious Ways of God - Isaiah 55:8-13.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

A reminder of the difference and distance between God and man: verses 8-9

For My thoughts are not your thoughts: God doesn’t think the way we do. We get into a lot of trouble when we expect that He should think as we do. Because we are made in the image of God, we can relate to God’s thoughts, but we cannot master them.

Nor are your ways My ways: God doesn’t act the way we do. He does things His way, and His ways are often not our ways. We get into a lot of trouble when we expect that God should act the way we do.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth: How far is the distance between God’s thoughts and ours? How far is the distance between His ways and ours? The distance is as great as the heavens are higher than the earth.

The difference and distance between God and man is revealed, not to discourage us from seeking Him, but to keep us humble as we seek. “You may conclude that it is not intended that you should understand the infinite, for you are told that his thoughts and ways are far above you; but you are required to seek him while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near.”

Gloriously, in Jesus Christ, heaven has come down to earth, and we can have our thoughts and ways transformed to be more like God’s thoughts and ways. This is what it means to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). The distance will never be closed; God will always be God, and we will always be human. But when our salvation is complete, and we are united with the Lord in glory, the distance will be as close as is possible.

Our minds cannot understand the mystery of salvation. It can only be understood in a spiritual way (1 Corinthians 2:14). Therefore, God gives us the necessary knowledge to understand it (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

This knowledge grows as our daily relationship with Christ does (Colossians 1:10; 2 Peter 3:18). However, we will never understand it to the fullest. We will keep studying the plan of redemption for all eternity.

The glorious operation of the word of God - verses 10-11

For as the rain comes down: Using the figure of the water cycle, the Lord illustrates the essential principle that His word shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please. Rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return before serving their purpose on earth (they water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud). The rain and snow eventually do return to heaven, but not before accomplishing their purpose on earth. Even so, God’s word, when He sends it down from heaven, does not return to Him void. Instead, it always fulfills His purpose on earth.

This means that God is not just “talk.” When He talks, His words accomplish His intended purpose. The word of the Lord has power, and it never fails in His intended purpose.

“It is an irrevocable word. Man has to eat his words, sometimes, and unsay his say. He would perform his engagement, but he cannot. It is not that he is unfaithful, but that he is unable. Now this is never so with God. His word never returns to him void. Go, find ye the snowflakes winging their way like white doves back to heaven! Go, find the drops of rain rising upward like diamonds flung up from the hand of a mighty man to find a lodging-place in the cloud from which they fell! Until the snow and the rain return to heaven, and mock the ground which they promised to bless, the word of God shall never return to him void.”

Make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater: The use of these pictures to illustrate the operation of God’s word shows that God’s word brings forth fruit. It also shows that the fruit has many different applications. The same grain that gives seed to the sower also gives bread to the eater.

It shall accomplish what I please: God’s word has something to accomplish. God doesn’t just speak to hear Himself talk. His word is not empty or lacking in power. This also means that God’s word has a purpose. He didn’t speak in unfathomable mysteries just to blow our minds, or confuse us, or leave things up to any possible interpretation. When God speaks, He speaks to accomplish a purpose.

It shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it: God’s word doesn’t barely get the job done. It shall prosper in the purpose God has for it. It is rich and full of life. God’s word always succeeds, and always fulfills God’s purpose.

This doesn’t mean that it doesn’t matter how God’s word is presented. Sometimes a terrible sermon has been excused by saying, “God’s word doesn’t return void.” The principle is clear and true from this passage of Isaiah, but because of the preacher’s poor preparation or preaching, there has been little of God’s word set before the people. The preacher can ignore, dilute, or obscure God’s word so that little goes forth. When little goes forth, that little will succeed – but how much better if more of the whole counsel of God went forth to succeed.

The Joy and Blessing of Restoration - verses 12-13

For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace: When God’s people turn to Him, listen to Him, and His Word does His work in them, joy and peace are always the result. The joy is so great, that even the mountains and the hills, and the trees of the field join in.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree: Where before there was barrenness and reminders of the curse (the thorn), now there will be beautiful and useful trees. The picture is clear; in His glorious work of restoration, God takes away the barren and the cursed, and brings forth beauty and fruit.

It shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off: When the Lord restores, all the work is done for His name, and for His glory. When the Lord restores, the work is secure; it is an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

Fasting:

Fasting that displeases God. Isaiah 58:1-5.

“Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?” (Isaiah 58:5)

Blessings of True Worship

God’s people ask: “Why do our prayers go unanswered?” - verses 1-3a

Cry aloud, spare not…tell My people their transgression: God spoke loudly and directly. His people need to hear their transgression – but would they hear?

They seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways: God first described the appearance of their spiritual life. On the surface, it seemed that God’s people loved Him and were devoted to Him. They had the reputation of a nation that did righteousness, and they looked like people who would take delight in approaching God.

Why have we fasted…and You have not seen? With this spiritual veneer, they felt God was unfair to them. It was as if they said, “Lord, we have fasted, but You still don’t answer our prayer. Don’t you know that we seek you daily, delight to know Your ways, do righteousness, and take delight in approaching You? Yet You do not answer our prayers!”

God exposes the shallow worship of His people - verses 3b-5

In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exploit all your laborers: Enough with the image; now God exposes the reality. The reality was that His people didn’t fast with the right heart and did it only as an empty ritual. The reality was that even on a day when they fasted, they still exploited their employees. God didn’t accept their fasting when it wasn’t connected with a sincere heart of obedience.

Indeed you fast for strife and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness: They fasted for needs, certainly; but selfish needs like “Lord, help me win this argument.” “Lord, help me defeat this person.” Though their prayer was accompanied with fasting, it was still a selfish, even wicked prayer – so God did not answer.

You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high: The purpose of their fasting was to glorify themselves, to make their voice heard on high. God says, “No more. You will not fast as you do this day.”

Is it a fast that I have chosen: The kind of fasting God rebukes here is a hollow, empty, show, without the spiritual substance behind it. This isn’t the kind of fast God has chosen. Even though they do all the right things in fasting (bow down his head like a bulrush…spread out sackcloth and ashes), God does not even call this a fast.

The people of Isaiah’s day had the same problem as the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. They trusted in empty ritual, apart from the spiritual reality. Real fasting – fasting that is partnered with real repentance, and isn’t only about image – has great power before God (Matthew 17:21). But God sees through the hypocrisy of empty religious ritual, including fasting. In Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, He told how the self-righteous Pharisee made a special point to say, “I fast twice a week” (Luke 18:9-14).

It isn’t that Isaiah or the Lord are down on fasting. They are down on any empty religious ritual. The answer isn’t to stop fasting, but to get right with God and make your fasting more than superficial. As Jesus said to His people about the empty religious rituals of the Pharisees, These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone (Matthew 23:23).

The Israelites expected God to approve their fasting (Isaiah 58:3). However, God’s responded in an unexpected way: “You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high.” (v. 4)

They were trying to soften God’s heart with their “religiousness” in order to buy forgiveness. God was not requesting that at all.

Fasting that pleases God. Isaiah 58:6-12.

“Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:7)

The character and blessings of true worship.

The kind of worship and fasting most acceptable to God - verses 6-7

Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness: God tells His people, “If you want to fast the way that pleases Me, begin with getting right with your brothers and sisters. Stop oppressing others and reach out to help others.”

Loose the bonds of wickedness…undo the heavy burdens…let the oppressed go free…break every yoke: First, they had to stop acting wickedly towards others. This means that getting right with God begins by stopping the evil we do towards others.

Share your bread with the hungry…cover…not hide yourself from your own flesh: Then, they had to start acting lovingly towards others. This means that getting right with God continues by doing loving things for other people.

The blessings God promises for the true worshipper - verses 8-12

Then your light shall break forth like the morning: If God’s people would couple their fasting with lives of righteousness and love, then they would see their prayers answered. They would have lives full of light, full of healing, full of righteousness, full of the glory of the Lord. When they call out to God, then the Lord will answer.

If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness: Again, the Lord gives them three things to stop doing.

They must stop oppressing others, treating them as animals bound with a yoke.

They must stop pointing…the finger at others and see where they are to blame.

They must stop speaking wickedness.

These are sins of commission. They are sins that we go out and do against the Lord and against others. If we will walk right with God, we must stop and guard against sins of commission.

If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul: Again, the Lord gives them two things to start doing. They needed to minister to the hungry with more than food; they had to extend their soul to the hungry. They had to look for the afflicted soul and seek to satisfy it.

Failing to do these are sins of omission. They are things that we should have done, yet we have not. If we will walk right with God, we must open our eyes and do what is our loving duty before Him.

Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday: To the repentant, God promises blessing. Not only will they have light, but even their darkness shall be as the noonday!

The Lord will guide you continually: This is a promise for those who do more than just empty religious rituals. To have the guidance of the Lord, empty religious ritual isn’t enough. We need to seek God with both sincere hearts and sincere actions.

And satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones: Those who serve God with sincere hearts and actions enjoy a health and life of the soul that is impossible for the superficial follower of God to know.

Those from among you shall build the old waste places: Those who serve God with sincere hearts and actions also accomplish things for God’s kingdom. They build and are called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell in. You can’t build anything for God’s kingdom on the foundation of a superficial walk with God.

How there needs to be a rebuilding work today! “We live in a broken world. In every direction there are breaches which are wide and deep. There are broken hearts and broken homes, and that which once was sacred is but a waste place. Whereas once there was a carefully guarded fence around the sanctity of family life, sex life, and the right to personal privacy, now there is just a waste place. The wall of protection is in ruins, and life has lost all its meaning.”

All in all, this passage shows several characteristics of a life right with God.

It is an enlightened life: Your light shall dawn in the darkness.

It is a guided life: The Lord will guide you continually.

It is a satisfied life: And satisfy your soul in drought.

It is a fragrant life: Like a watered garden.

It is a freshly sustained life: Like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

It is a productive, healing life: You shall build the old waste places.

The things that please God are not related to remaining from eating for some time. He is pleased when we share what we have, and care for others. This is a lifestyle, not a one-time act.

Our fasting pleases God only if we are already showing His love to others in our daily life. Then, He guides us, satisfies our soul, and strengthens us (Isaiah 58:11).

Sabbaths

Delighting in God: Isaiah 58:13-14

“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the Lord has spoken.”(Isaiah 58:13-14)

Call the Sabbath a delight…the holy day of the Lord honorable: The Sabbath was another empty religious observance for the Jewish people of Isaiah’s day. God calls them to take a delight in the heart and in the purpose of the Sabbath – to honor Him, not doing your own ways.

This fits in perfectly with the fulfillment of the Sabbath in light of the finished work of Jesus. We keep the Sabbath when we set aside every day to honor Him, and by not doing your own ways as a means of justifying ourselves.

Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord: When we keep the meaning of the Sabbath, not merely as an empty religious ritual, then you shall delight yourself in the Lord. God will bless us, and we shall delight, not only in the blessings, but in the Lord Himself. We know it is sure because the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

The Sabbath is to be a “delight” and to be “honorable.” In the context of the rest of the chapter, Sabbath is about delighting in learning of the character and purposes of God, and then living that character and those purposes in our relations to others. Knowing how to go through the form of Sabbath observance and worship is not enough. Learning must impact life. Sabbath is time for learning and living priorities.

How are afflicting the soul, helping others, and keeping the Sabbath related?

All three involve concentration upon God, His priorities, and recognition of our dependence upon Him.

By doing all three, we pursue holiness by emulating God, who humbled Himself (Philippians 2:8), demonstrated self-sacrificing kindness (Acts 10:38), and ceased from labor on the Sabbath (Genesis 2:2-3).

Besides being a delight, keeping the Sabbath also brings special blessings (v. 14).

Additional Insights:

Blessings To Jew And Gentile--Blind Watchmen: Isaiah 56

In the beginning of this chapter God asks His people, "keep ye judgment and do justice". The reason given is that His salvation is near to come, and His righteousness to be revealed. The thought is that the scroll is soon to make a turn, and the present order of things must change. If the watchmen to whom God is speaking would not commence a general housecleaning, God would have to get watchmen who would lift their voice like a trumpet and show His "people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." God, in this chapter, asks His people for a strict Sabbath observance, regardless who they are, without distinction of class, race, or people. Thus they shall have the promise of His covenant, and their offerings, and sacrifices shall be accepted upon His altar.

There is a severe charge against His watchmen of their failure to deal with the sins in the church and the result is that His people are devoured by the enemy. "His watchmen are blind: They are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark." Isa. 56:10. The phrase "dumb dogs" is not to humiliate them, but is used here as a symbol. Of all animals a dog is man's best friend, and it is a dog's business to protect his master, or warn him of the danger by the sound of his barking. But if that dog becomes dumb and fails to give the sound, then he is not only useless to his master but dangerous, for he can not be depended upon. Thus, a "dog" is a perfect symbol of a watchman over God's people.

A good faithful minister is man's best friend by warning him of the danger involved in sin, but if that minister will not sound the alarm and give the warning, then he has become as a "dumb dog." Not only useless but dangerous, for thus the sheep are devoured by the enemy. The watchmen are not only charged with failure to deal properly with existing sins in the church, but they are greedy as well. "Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink." Isa. 56:12. This refers to the same watchmen or servants as in Matt. 24:48-50, who are gluttonous, disregard health reform, and do not see the danger. Read "Isaiah the Gospel Prophet," page 25, first paragraph. The watchmen mentioned by the prophet are not those in Babylon (popular churches), but "His watchmen" in His true church. According to Testimonies to Ministers, page 445, Ezekiel 9 is the sealing of the 144,000. Speaking of Ezekiel's prophecy in Volume 5, page 211, we read: "The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light, and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God's power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil. He is too merciful to visit his people in judgment. Thus peace and safety is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs, that would not bark, are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children, all perish together." {1SR 145}