Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Isaiah 58:6-7 (True Fasting)

Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Reading of Isaiah 58:6-7 (True Fasting)

Tradition-Specific Interpretation

We read Isaiah 58:6-7 as a prophetic call that reveals God's covenantal expectations for His people, emphasizing the ethical and communal dimensions of true worship. This passage aligns with the Reformed understanding of God's sovereign grace, as it distinguishes between mere ritualistic fasting and the genuine pursuit of justice and mercy, which anticipates the redemption fulfilled in Christ. Within the redemptive-historical framework, these verses point forward to the New Covenant reality where Christ embodies and empowers His people to live out this true fasting through the Spirit.

Key Language Decisions

The Hebrew word for 'fasting' (צוֹם, tsom) here implies more than abstaining from food; it involves a comprehensive turning to God that affects all areas of life, underscoring the holistic nature of covenant obedience. The term for 'loose the bonds of wickedness' (הָתֵּר, hater) suggests liberation, a theme central to the redemptive work of Christ, who frees us from sin's bondage. These translation choices highlight the passage's demand for genuine spiritual renewal that aligns with God's redemptive purposes.

Where Traditions Diverge

The Reformed tradition diverges from more moralistic interpretations that may be found in some evangelical or liberal traditions, which might read this passage as primarily a social justice mandate detached from the framework of redemptive history. For us, the ethical imperatives are inseparable from the covenantal relationship with God and His sovereign grace, ultimately fulfilled in the work of Christ. This difference matters theologically, as it grounds ethical living in the transformative power of the gospel rather than human effort alone.

Pastoral Application

In preaching this passage, we emphasize that true fasting is not about outward rituals but a heart transformed by God's sovereign grace through the covenant. We urge our congregations to reflect Christ's love by seeking justice and showing mercy, understanding that these actions are fruits of our union with Christ. As pastors, we remind our flock that our call to social engagement and compassion flows from our identity as God's redeemed people, empowered by the Spirit. A Reformed congregation would expect to hear how this passage challenges us to live out the implications of the gospel in sincere and tangible ways.

Cross-References: Matthew 25:35-40; Micah 6:8; James 1:27; Luke 4:18-19; Amos 5:21-24

Doctrinal Connections: Covenant of Grace; Sovereign Grace; Total Depravity; Effectual Calling; Means of Grace