What does Isaiah 58:5 mean?

"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

Isaiah 58:5 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 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 (KJV) says, "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?"

This verse comes from a prophecy in the Book of Isaiah, in which the prophet admonishes the people of Israel for their hypocritical and empty religious practices. The context of this verse is a rebuke from God to His people for their insincere fasting. The people of Israel were going through the motions of religious rituals, but their hearts were far from God.

The theme of this verse is the true nature of fasting and the sincere worship of God. The people were observing the ritual of fasting by afflicting their souls, bowing down their heads, wearing sackcloth and ashes. However, their fasting was not pleasing to the Lord because it was done with wrong motives and not from a genuine heart of obedience and humility.

The verse uses symbolism to convey the emptiness of the people's religious practices. The image of bowing down like a bulrush and spreading sackcloth and ashes symbolizes outward displays of mourning and repentance, but without genuine inward transformation. The verse challenges the people to examine the true purpose and meaning of their fasting and to consider whether their actions are truly acceptable to the Lord.

The verse also raises important questions about the nature of true worship and the heart attitude that God desires from His people. It challenges us to consider whether our religious practices are motivated by a deep love for God and a desire to honor Him, or if they are merely empty rituals performed for show.

In a broader sense, this verse speaks to the universal human tendency towards religious hypocrisy. It serves as a warning against going through the motions of religious observance without sincerely seeking a relationship with God. It reminds us that God desires authentic worship that flows from a humble and contrite heart.

In the New Testament, Jesus also confronted religious hypocrisy and emphasized the need for sincere and genuine worship. In Matthew 23, He rebuked the Pharisees for their outward display of religious piety while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus taught that true worship is not about external appearances, but about the posture of the heart.

As we reflect on Isaiah 58:5, we are challenged to examine our own hearts and motives in our worship and religious practices. Are we truly seeking to honor God and cultivate a deep relationship with Him, or are we merely going through the motions? Are our outward displays of faith matched by an inward transformation and a desire to live in obedience to God?

Ultimately, this verse calls us to pursue a genuine and sincere relationship with God. It challenges us to align our outward actions with the true posture of our hearts, and to seek to honor God in all areas of our lives. When we approach God with humility, contrition, and a sincere desire to know and honor Him, our worship becomes truly acceptable to the Lord.

Isaiah 58:5 Artwork

Isaiah 58:5 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 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 - "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 - "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?"

Psalms 58:5 - "Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely."

Psalms 58:5 - "Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely."

Isaiah 58:9 (KJVA) 9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Isaiah 58:9 (KJVA) 9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Isaiah 58:10 - "And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:"

Isaiah 58:10 - "And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:"

Isaiah 58:1 - "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."

Isaiah 58:1 - "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."

Isaiah 58:1"Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.

Isaiah 58:1"Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.

Isaiah 58:4 - "Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high."

Isaiah 58:4 - "Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high."

Isaiah 58:6 - "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?"

Isaiah 58:6 - "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?"

Isaiah 58:10 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 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 58:9 (KJVA) 9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Isaiah 58:9 (KJVA) 9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Isaiah 58:8 - "¶ Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward."

Isaiah 58:8 - "¶ Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward."

Isaiah 58:12 - "And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in."

Isaiah 58:12 - "And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in."

Isaiah 58:2 - "Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God."

Isaiah 58:2 - "Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God."

Isaiah 58:13 "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,

Isaiah 58:13 "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,

Isaiah 58:7 - "Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?"

Isaiah 58:7 - "Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?"

Isaiah 5:21

Isaiah 5:21

Isaiah 5:21

Isaiah 5:21

Isaiah 6:5

Isaiah 6:5

Isaiah 53:5

Isaiah 53:5

Isaiah 6:5

Isaiah 6:5

Isaiah 58:14 - "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."

Isaiah 58:14 - "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."

Isaiah 6:1-5

Isaiah 6:1-5

Isaiah 45:5-6

Isaiah 45:5-6

Isaiah 6:1-5

Isaiah 6:1-5

Isaiah 58:9 (KJVA) 9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Isaiah 58:9 (KJVA) 9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Isaiah 37:5 - "So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah."

Isaiah 37:5 - "So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah."

Isaiah 58:11 - "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 - "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 6:1-5

Isaiah 6:1-5

Isaiah 6:1-5

Isaiah 6:1-5