Make the Sabbath a Delight

Isaiah 58-66 | October 3-9

This section of Isaiah begins with a lesson on fasting and keeping the Sabbath day holy. Isaiah scolded the Israelites for complaining and showing how miserable they were when they were fasting. Isaiah taught that the purpose of fasting isn’t to make you unhappy, it’s to bring blessings to you and others. Fasting should include feeding the poor, praying, and focusing on the Lord and His guidance. Sabbath day worship should also be a delight. Isaiah taught that we should not seek our own ways or our own pleasure on the Sabbath, but to instead delight ourselves in the Lord. It’s important to take time to find joy, peace, and gratitude for the Lord on the Sabbath day.

Isaiah also spoke again of the Second Coming of the Messiah. He warned about the destruction of the wicked and rejoiced in the salvation of the Lord’s people. He taught about the peace that will exist on the earth after Jesus comes.

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Scripture

Isaiah 58:13–14

“If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord…”

Questions

How can we improve our fasting?
How does fasting bless the poor?
How does fasting bless us?
How can we make the Sabbath day a delight?
What do you look forward to at Jesus Christ’s Second Coming?

Quote

“How can you ensure that your behavior on the Sabbath will lead to joy and rejoicing? In addition to your going to church, partaking of the sacrament, and being diligent in your specific call to serve, what other activities would help to make the Sabbath a delight for you? What sign will you give to the Lord to show your love for Him?” Russell M. Nelson