ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
Isaiah 58:1-14
I. Going Through the Motions
a. What is Isaiah instructed to do in verse 1?
b. Were the people truly seeking God or was something else taking place?
c. Is there sarcasm in verse 2? What do you think is really
being said here?
d. How does God answer their question as to why they fast, and He doesn’t
answer?
II. Fasting That Pleases God (vs. 6-12)
a. What kinds of things does the Lord prescribe accompany a true fast that
the Lord would pay attention to?
b. If the people would fast and do right things for the right reasons, what
does the Lord say He would do?
c. What very positive things would be spoken of those who took seriously a
Godly focus that ultimately benefited many?
d. How long lasting would the effects be of the truly righteous?
III. Rewards of a Godly Focus (vs. 13-14)
a. What was the point of “people not doing their own things on the
Sabbath” that the Lord makes here?
b. Was it enough to just abstain from work on the Sabbath or was the Lord
wanting more?
c. What blessings are promised toward those who will seek the Lord and His
righteousness first?
Application:
As Christians, we don’t observe the Sabbath, but what principals from this passage are applicable to the Christian?
Is God still looking for people who will truly love Him and honor Him in word and deed, or is it enough to simply go through the motions?
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