What Kind of Fasting does God Require?

Throughout the years, I have heard of Christians who have fasted for one reason or another. While I do not criticize those who choose to do such, I have always questioned what God thought about fasting for the day in which we live. As I read Isaiah 58 today, I think I saw a little of God's thoughts on fasting. The people of Israel were fasting but God was not taking notice of them. "Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?" (v.3)

Q. Why was their fasting not acknowledged by God?

"Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure and oppress all your workers." (v.3)

The Israelites were simply "going through the motions" of religion. Their fasting was just one more religious ritual that they did, but at the same time they were fighting with each other.
God then asks a question which reveals what kind of fasting He really requires:

"Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord?" (v.5)

The answer is no. God then goes on to answer what kind of fasting He really requires.

"Is not this the fast that I choose?" (v.6-7)

• "to loose the bonds of wickedness"
• "to undo the straps of the yoke"
• "to let the oppressed go free"
• to break every yoke?"
• "to share bread with the hungry"
• "to bring the homeless poor in your house"
• "when you see the naked, to cover him"
• "not to hide yourself from your own flesh"

Q. If they fasted this way, what would be the result? (v.8-9)

• "light breaking forth"
• "healing springing up speedily"
• "righteousness going before them"
• "glory of God be their rear guard"
• When they called, God would answer, "Here I am"

God explains again the proper way of fasting: (v.9-10)

• "take away the yoke from your midst"
• "take away the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness"
• "pour yourself out for the hungry"
• "satisfy the desires of the afflicted"

Again God shares the results of such fasting: (v.10-12)

• "your light would rise in darkness"
• "your gloom be as the noonday"
• "the Lord will guide you continually, satisfy your desires, and make your bones strong"
• "you shall be like a watered garden, springs of water whose waters do not fail"

So, what kind of fasting does God require? The kind that reaches out to people in love and helps them be freed from the bonds of wickedness and share what we have with those who do not have it. I still believe there may be a place of fasting that involves private communion with God in prayer and the Word, but if this kind of fasting does not "pour itself out for the hungry", then God will not acknowledge it as worthy.

JT