1. 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?
2. Examine your own attitude to Sunday in the light of verses 13, 14.

Notes

1. 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.
2. Verse 9. ‘The pointing finger’: probably a gesture of haughty contempt.
3. 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.