Exposed on the clothes line for all to see

Isaiah 58:1-8

I recall mother hanging out the wash on a clothes line and all was exposed to the neighbors, yes, that was a long time ago, a different culture where doing the laundry was an all morning event, and often we kids were ask to participate.  It was all hung out, undergarments, sheets, towels, etc. for the world to see.  But what went on inside our home was not open for anyone but family to see or hear, we were told often not to share our family issues outside of our home.  Now before your imagination takes off to ax murders, or drunks, those were not the issues.  We were normal for our time, but we did not want the neighbors to see us in any light but being perfect.  That is going to backfire on me later, for 27 years I had one foot in the church and the other in the world; then I ask Jesus Christ to forgive me and take my mess of a life and turn it into something good, and He did, but now those old flesh patterns of our family kicked in, the need to look good, to appear perfect.

It did not happen over night, but I was being a poser, but it seemed the more God blessed me with people and responsibility, the more I needed to look like something both God and I knew was not true.  My flesh then and now likes to be seen, it longs to be first in line, and to be praised, and for years I was not able to share those truths, for I had roots that told me if you knew me there was no way you would like me or want to have me as your friend.  But God always sends an Isaiah to expose a poser like me, and I’m so thankful for the men who loved me and told me God loved me, He knew all about me and loved me anyway, Jack Archer was the first of many mentors.

We find in the first verse of chapter 58, God is giving Isaiah these orders “declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins.”  It is what is happening inside the house of His chosen ones, not the pagans, and it is what is happening inside the church, not the outside world, are you as foolish as the chosen people of Isaiah’s time?  The men that addressed my sins did not proclaim it to others, but God is telling Isaiah to expose them for what they are, rebellious.  These people looked good on the outside, they came to the Temple, they did the outward rituals so others would think higher of them than both they and God knew to be true, they were posers.

These religious folks who were at the top of their game, began a fast with the expectation 

that God would do as they wished, but it was not a fast God desired, in fact, they were not 

observing the Sabbath, one of the most important commands.  And God was silent, all their 

actions only brought more silence, for God said; “Behold, in the day of your fast you seek 

your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers.  Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to 

fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be 

heard on high.” (Isaiah 58:3-4 ESV)  How often do you and I go to a Bible study and the 

Holy Spirit gives us new insights, yet we do not apply them to our lives’?  That is the hard 

work of being a follower of Christ, being obedient the first time God puts His finger on our life.  

How does God desire a fast, it is clear, not to look good to others but to humble our self, and 

to be light to the world around us and to help the under resourced.  These are God’s words:  

“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?    “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of 

wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every 

yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your 

house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 

Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; 

your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.”   

(Isaiah 58:5-8 ESV)  Please pray for me, and others who still have a long way to go.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice