I’ve named this the conditional statement chapter. A conditional statement is one where some hypothesis is followed by a conclusion.
The old IF….THEN statement. You’ve seen this, especially if you’re a computer programmer.
Before we begin, a few words about the word translated “If.” Most translations use “when” for verse 7. The KJV does; however, after verse 9 it uses “if.” The Septuagint (LXX) translates all of the ones I’ll present as “if.” The JPS Tanakh translates them all “when.”
Part of the issue translators face is this Hebrew word “ki” is not easily translated into English. It’s a short word, but some people say it has up to twenty different meanings depending on the context. Rashi said it had four meanings (if, rather, lest, when). I’ve also seen “perhaps” and “for” suggested.
Regardless, the point remains the same-you are left with a conditional statement.
Theme of Isaiah 58
The theme of Isaiah 58 is people believing they are pleasing God by fasting. However, these people’s hearts are not right with God. They are oppressing the needy and taking advantage of others. They are doing this outward ritual but it’s blemished by horrible actions.
Imagine coming to God with an outward show of appreciation, believing he can’t see the depths of your heart. That he can’t see all of your misdeeds. True audacity, right?
These people fast, but turn a blind eye to those who are hungry or homeless. They provide no help…..but yet they fast and think God will turn his eyes to them.
Before we dive in, understand I’ll use a mix of KJV and the Orthodox Study Bible (LXX) for copyright purposes.
Brief Commentary
“Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not?” (Isaiah 58:3 KJV)
God tells them, I don’t see your fasting because of all the bad things you do to others.
“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 KJV)
God tells them instead of fasting, they need to “loose the bonds of the wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free….and break every yoke” (Isaiah 58:6 KJV)
If Then Statements
Here, I’ll begin using the Septuagint (LXX) as we step into the IF THEN statements.
“Break your bread for the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house. IF you see a naked man, clothe him, nor shall you disregard your offspring in your own house. THEN your light shall break forth as the morning, and your healing shall spring forth….THEN you shall cry out, and God will hear you.” (Isaiah 58:7 “Scripture taken from the St. Athanasius Academy Septuagint™. Copyright © 2008 by St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”)
In other words, feed the hungry, give housing to the poor, and clothe the naked, THEN God will hear you. If you do these things, your healing will come, and God’s light will come into your life.
At the same time, one must understand, we don’t do these things trying to coax something out of God. It’s not to get stuff. We do these things because he asks us and we love him. We do them out of love for our fellow man.
“IF you take away your fetter and the pointing of the finger, and the word of grumbling, and IF you give bread to the hungry from your soul, and satisfy the humble soul, THEN your light shall ruse up in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as midday. God shall be with you CONTINUALLY and you shall be satisfied as your soul desires.” (Isaiah 9-11 St Athanasius Academy Septuagint)
God means business about feeding the hungry as he mentions it again. Except here, he says to give from your soul. This is to show us; It’s not only a physical act. It is one from the depths of your soul. Your heart has to be in it. He elaborates on more of their sins-grumbling amongst themselves and blaming each other.
I absolutely love the THEN part of these verses. Then God will be with you, not some of the time, but CONTINUALLY. You will be completely satisfied by God!!!
I’m going to switch back to the KJV:
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:11 KJV
These verses are incredibly beautiful. God will guide you CONTINUALLY. Once again, not some of the time, but continually. Your bones will be fat-I personally think this is talking about the marrow in your bones being nourished. This imagery of water reminds of Jesus words, “But 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.”
Another IF THEN statement in Verse 13:
IF thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
THEN shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it…..IF you honor his holy day THEN you will ride upon the high places of the earth.” Isaiah 58:14 KJV
Wrap Up
This might be one of my favorite chapters in Isaiah. Anytime you are discouraged, read these conditional statements of God. The THEN part. All of the wonderful things he shall do for you if you obey his words. He has promised to:
- Lead you continually
- Satisfy your soul
- Heal you
- Nourish your bones
- Be with you continually
Does it get any better than this? I believeth not!
The Book Of Isaiah continues to keep us reminded that God wants our hearts, not shallow rituals. We already saw this in a prior blog post.