Isaiah 58:5-9

Why, why is it so hard for us to accept the life of Christ as the template for our own lives? Throughout the Scriptures the same words are repeated over and over. In the Old Testament and in the New......we are admonished to love God above all and love others as much as yourself...why is this so hard for us to accomplish as mainstream Christians? Our government should reflect our Christian values.

The people’s fast was not an acceptable day to the Lord because it focused on self-righteousness and not on justice for others. Yoke is a metaphor for social oppression. 

Job 31:16-17
¹⁶ “If I have kept the poor from their desire, 
Or caused the eyes of the widow to fail, 
¹⁷ Or eaten my morsel by myself, 
So that the fatherless could not eat of it 

Matthew 25:37
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹ Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 

Isaiah 58:5-9
And an acceptable day to the Lord? 
⁶ “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: 
To loose the bonds of wickedness, 
To undo the heavy burdens, 
To let the oppressed go free, 
And that you break every yoke? 
⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, 
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; 
When you see the naked, that you cover him, 
And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 
⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the morning, 
Your healing shall spring forth speedily, 
And your righteousness shall go before you; 
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 
⁹ Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;