This passage of chapter is often used by churches when they are embarking on a season of fasting. I must admit this seems rather strange to me, for the whole tenor of the chapter is that the fasting itself was of no value unless their actions and attitudes were right as well. This is most definitely not to say that we should not fast, just that this passage has a different focus. When we have the right attitudes and actions, then fasting will truly be valuable. It is like giving a gift to someone. If you genuinely care for that person and they know that, then the gift has value. If the gift is a substitute for true love and concern, then the gift is worthless.
So what are the things that the people needed to do? First they needed to get rid of injustice and to free the oppressed. It is to share our food with the hungry, and for us to provide shelter for the poor. It is to care for our own relatives properly.
In politics we talk about left and right, but neither come out well in the measure used here. The right is too willing to see the poor suffer. On the other hand the left talks about helping the poor and oppressed, but it is usually about helping the poor with someone else's money! The teaching here is that we (I, you) should help the poor.
People fast and pray to get an answer, we want to see a change in circumstances, often our own circumstances. Things will change when we promote justice and help the needy. Then the glory of God will shine around us.
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