- Has fasting itself any value in God’s sight? What does he look for in his people, and why is such conduct called ‘fasting’? In verses 8-12, what promises of spiritual blessing does God give to those who are right in spirit towards himself and their fellow men?
- Examine your own attitude to Sunday in the light of verses 13, 14.
Notes
- Verse 4. ‘Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife’: fasting, if not done in the right spirit, is apt to make men irritable and contentious, quick to use their fist.
- Verse 9. ‘The pointing finger’: probably a gesture of haughty contempt.
- Verse 13. ‘If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbtath’: i.e, regard it as holy ground, not to be profaned by common business. Cf. 56:2; Neh. 13:15-21.