Chapter Summary

Hypocritical professions of religion. Instructions how to keep fasts aright

Discussion Questions for Isaiah, Chapter 58

1. In what ways do you show outward acts of righteousness but have ill motivations in your heart? Why does this kind of hypocrisy anger God?
2. Where does true "delight" come from, according to verse 13? What other examples in Scripture do we see of God judging hypocritical behavior, especially in Matthew 23? What are some examples of how you have experienced "delight" in the Lord?
3. How many times can you find "the Sabbath" in this chapter? What does God mean when He asks His people to keep, or honor, the Sabbath? How are you supposed to keep and honor the Sabbath today?
4. Are our good works enough to earn God's favor? Why do you think that God declares good works in this chapter to be the reason He will respond positively to His people?
5. Is there a connection from verse 3 to any of Jesus's teachings in the New Testament? What are those connections? What is the historical significance of this relationship, and why do you think it is an ongoing problem throughout Scripture?
6. What does this passage teach us about "justice"? What are a few things that we can apply to our lives today about justice in society, and in the church?
7. What will some of the people "rebuild" (HCSB) in verse 12? What is the relationship to this future rebuilt place, and the "house of prayer" (HCSB) that God mentions in Chapter 56?
8. What are the conditions in which God will finally listen when the Israelites call in verse 9? How does that apply to our lives when we practice sin?
9. What effect does gossip have on a community? Why does God point out the particular sin of "malicious speaking" (HCSB)? In what ways do we see the hurt and destruction this causes in our own lives?
10. What is the significance of fasting? Why does God spend so much time addressing fasting in particular in this chapter? How does fasting impact our lives and worship today?

Key Words/Phrase

Hypocritical fasts, v. 4.

Characters

God

Strong Verse(s)

6, 7, 10, 11.