Isaiah 58-66

<p>The Lord reveals the law of the fast, employing remarkable and powerful symbols, several poetic parallelisms, and a series of seven rhetorical questions (see verses 5&ndash;7). This chapter encompasses the greatest scriptural treatise on this law. Verses 1&ndash;7 are a dialogue between the Lord and Israel. The remaining verses (8&ndash;12) comprise several promises and blessings to those who fast according to God&rsquo;s law.</p> <h3>Isaiah 58:1</h3> <p><em>Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice</em>. God gives this command again in our dispensation (Doctrine and Covenants 34:10; 43:20). <em>voice like a ram&rsquo;s horn</em>. The Lord commands Isaiah to raise his voice, in loudness and clarity, like he is blowing a ram&rsquo;s horn (compare Alma 29:1&ndash;2).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Author:</strong> Donald W. Parry<br /><strong>General Editor:</strong> Taylor Halverson<br /><strong>Associate Editor:</strong> Morgan Tanner<br /><strong>Senior Editor:</strong> Sarah Whitney Johnson<br /><strong>Assistant Editor:</strong> Sam Lofgran<br /><strong>Assistant Editor:</strong> Verlanne Johnson</p>

<p>The Lord sets forth His law regarding the Sabbath and the blessings received for obeying His law. The law of the fast and the law of the Sabbath go hand in hand; both require us to turn away from the things of the world and both provide us with freedom.</p> <h3>Isaiah 58:13</h3> <p><em>turn away your foot from the Sabbath</em>. &ldquo;Foot&rdquo; here symbolizes our actions. We are to walk on the Lord&rsquo;s path during His &ldquo;holy day,&rdquo; and we are not to tread the paths of pleasures. <em>call the</em> <em>Sabbath</em>. The Lord gives the Sabbath three significant, descriptive designations: &ldquo;Delight,&rdquo; &ldquo;the Holy of the Lord,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Honorable.&rdquo; When we keep the Sabbath, we receive the qualities associated with these designations&mdash;we become delightful, holy, and honorable. <em>own ways</em>/<em>own</em> <em>pleasure</em>/<em>speaking idly</em>. These expressions speak of someone who is centered on him- or herself rather than on God and His Sabbath.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Author:</strong> Donald W. Parry<br /><strong>General Editor:</strong> Taylor Halverson<br /><strong>Associate Editor:</strong> Morgan Tanner<br /><strong>Senior Editor:</strong> Sarah Whitney Johnson<br /><strong>Assistant Editor:</strong> Sam Lofgran<br /><strong>Assistant Editor:</strong> Verlanne Johnson</p>