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.
Original Language Analysis
וּלְהַכּ֖וֹת
and to smite
H5221
וּלְהַכּ֖וֹת
and to smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
5 of 13
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כַיּ֔וֹם
as ye do this day
H3117
כַיּ֔וֹם
as ye do this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
10 of 13
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
לְהַשְׁמִ֥יעַ
to be heard
H8085
לְהַשְׁמִ֥יעַ
to be heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
11 of 13
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
Historical Context
The prophetic era was characterized by religious controversy and factionalism—between true and false prophets, between those advocating foreign alliances and those trusting Yahweh alone, between those exploiting the poor and those defending them. The post-exilic community struggled with similar divisions (Ezra 9-10, Nehemiah 5:1-13, 13:23-27, Malachi 2:10-16). These conflicts often played out in religious settings, with competing groups each claiming divine sanction.
Questions for Reflection
- How can religious activity actually increase rather than decrease strife in communities?
- What does it reveal about our hearts when spiritual disciplines produce contention rather than reconciliation?
- How does Christ's mediation change the basis on which our prayers are heard?
Analysis & Commentary
God exposes the contradiction in their religious practice: "Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness." Their fasts don't produce humility and reconciliation but strife, contention, and violence. The "fist of wickedness" (egrof resha) suggests aggressive conflict—perhaps legal disputes, business rivalries, or social divisions. Religion becomes a weapon to advance factional interests rather than a means of reconciliation. "Ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high." Their fasting produces noise, not acceptable prayer—clamor instead of genuine worship. The implication is clear: God will not hear prayers accompanied by injustice and oppression, no matter how religiously correct the forms. This aligns with the Reformed emphasis on the inseparability of faith and works. Saving faith necessarily produces fruit (James 2:14-26). Religious observance divorced from ethical living demonstrates false profession, not genuine faith. Our prayers reach heaven not through multiplied religious rituals but through the mediation of Christ and hearts transformed by His grace.