Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm - Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
Session Twenty-six: Favored Fasting
1) GATHERING and OPENING PRAYER
2) READ / LISTEN to Isaiah 58:1 – 59:21
a) What are your initial impressions? Questions? Notable differences in translations?
3) IN A NUTSHELL:
God commissions His prophet to warn His people of their sins as they blithely go through the routines of worship. They must learn what true fasting and worship is – seeking justice and compassion for the needy. When you practice that kind of fasting, the Lord will satisfy your needs. Your problem lies not in some inadequacy on God’s part but in your sins. God will don His special kind of armor and pay back His enemies for their injustice. People who repent will find that God gives them His Spirit.
4) A PRIESTLY INQUIRY: (58:1-3)
a) Shout like a trumpet for all to hear!
b) Sin is the offense
c) (vs. 3a) A pious question – A “Religious” Spirit.
5) OFFENSIVE PIETY: (58:3b-5)
a) Individual Responsibility – “you” and “your” is singular in vv. 3-14.
b) Israel is proud of their humility
c) See Matthew 6:16-18 and Luke 11:42
6) AN ACCEPTABLE DAY OF THE LORD: (58:6-9)
a) (vv. 6-7) True “Liberation Theology.”
b) (vv. 8-9) The Promise of God.
7) HONORABLE, GOD PLEASING PIETY: (58:9-14)
a) God’s Sabbath really is Holy. (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-14)
b) (vv. 14-15) God rewards righteousness.
8) A SERVICE OF REPENTANCE : (59:1-21) see bottom of back page
9) SINS OF THE COMMUNITY: (59:1-8)
a) (vv. 1-3) The Consequences.
b) (vv. 4-8) The Evolution of Evil and the Symptoms of Sin.
10) CONFESSION OF THE COMMUNITY: (59:9-15a)
a) There is a transition to 3rd person plural speech (we, us). Isaiah is including himself.
b) Bears growl out of anger and doves make a sound like the groans of someone suffering. This suggests that the people were both angry and sad about their present situation.
c) The TRUTH hurts.
11) THE DIVINE WARRIOR INTERCEDES: (59:15b-21)
a) (vv. 15b-16) God Himself will deliver.
b) (vs. 17) A warrior God, dressed for battle.
c) (vs. 18) Vengeance is Mine, saith the Lord.
d) (vv. 19-20) The whole world will know.
e) (vs. 21) The Blessing of God’s enduring Word.
12) APPLICATION:
a) Check your motives in worship and religious practice. (Mark 7:6)
b) Do what the Lord requires: (Ge 18:19; De 10:12-13; 1Sa 15:22; Isa 1:17; Ho 6:6; 12:6; Micah 6:8)
13) WRAP UP and CLOSE IN PRAYER
NEXT LESSON:
Showing the Splendor - Read Isaiah 60:1 – 61:11 to prepare.
