14 day plan

The Poetry of Justice

Day 1 of 14

GNT

Isaiah 58:1

True Fasting

1The Lord says, “Shout as loud as you can! Tell my people Israel about their sins!

For Christians, part of our call as citizens of God’s kingdom is working toward the common good and flourishing of all people, fellow image-bearers of our maker. But what does it look like to build justice in ways that reflect our Lord’s love and compassion? Isaiah 58 offers us a stunning and poetic guide for responding to the brokenness around us with the good news of God’s grace.

Today we start a new series, Poetic Justice, which has been prepared by Dr Kate Harrison Brennan. Dr Kate Harrison Brennan is the CEO of Anglican Deaconess Ministries, and a Board Director of Bible Society
Australia. She studied international development at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and was an Advisor to former Prime Minister Julia Gillard. 

Reflection:  Isaiah 58 is often viewed as one of the most beautiful pieces of poetry in Scripture. Yet its impact is not found in sentimental rhythms or rhymes. Rather, it’s in the power of carefully chosen words and images that call a people from hollow practices to radical response in pursuing God’s justice.  As we read the entire chapter first, we see not just an overview of God’s heart for justice but a significant contrast between pious actions and humble obedience. In verse 1, the Lord commands Isaiah to confront the people’s hypocrisy. How? Not with polite
suggestions but with shouts; not holding back, but by raising his voice “like a trumpet.”  The Almighty takes people’s rebellion so seriously that he provides them with the confronting words of a prophet, just as he will provide them with the Word Made Flesh in the Saviour Jesus. 

Question: What surprises you about Isaiah 58?

Prayer:  Dear Lord, please help me hear your voice calling me to a life of obedience to you and show me where I am filled with hypocrisy. Forgive me for the times I think I
need to appear pious, rather than resting in your saving grace and truth that are found in Jesus. Amen.

Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Bible text from the Good News Translation (GNT) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (www.americanbible.org). LICENSEE shall reproduce the following trademark and trademark notice on the copyright page of each copy of the Licensed Products: ®

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Isaiah 58:1-14

True Fasting

1The Lord says, “Shout as loud as you can! Tell my people Israel about their sins! 2They worship me every day, claiming that they are eager to know my ways and obey my laws. They say they want me to give them just laws and that they take pleasure in worshiping me.”

3The people ask, “Why should we fast if the Lord never notices? Why should we go without food if he pays no attention?”

The Lord says to them, “The truth is that at the same time you fast, you pursue your own interests and oppress your workers. 4Your fasting makes you violent, and you quarrel and fight. Do you think this kind of fasting will make me listen to your prayers? 5When you fast, you make yourselves suffer; you bow your heads low like a blade of grass and spread out sackcloth and ashes to lie on. Is that what you call fasting? Do you think I will be pleased with that?

6“The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. 7 Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.

8“Then my favor will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed. I will always be with you to save you; my presence will protect you on every side. 9When you pray, I will answer you. When you call to me, I will respond.

“If you put an end to oppression, to every gesture of contempt, and to every evil word; 10if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon. 11And I will always guide you and satisfy you with good things. I will keep you strong and well. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water, like a spring of water that never goes dry. 12Your people will rebuild what has long been in ruins, building again on the old foundations. You will be known as the people who rebuilt the walls, who restored the ruined houses.”

The Reward for Keeping the Sabbath

13The Lord says, “If you treat the Sabbath as sacred and do not pursue your own interests on that day; if you value my holy day and honor it by not traveling, working, or talking idly on that day, 14then you will find the joy that comes from serving me. I will make you honored all over the world, and you will enjoy the land I gave to your ancestor, Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken.”

Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Bible text from the Good News Translation (GNT) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (www.americanbible.org). LICENSEE shall reproduce the following trademark and trademark notice on the copyright page of each copy of the Licensed Products: ®