WHY THE CONFUSION?
“They will surely fast in those days.” –Luke 5:35 In Isaiah’s time, people were confused about fasting. The Israelites cried out to the Lord: “Why do we fast, and You do not see it? Afflict ourselves, and You take no note of it?” (Is 58:3) Isaiah prophesied: “Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?” (Is 58:5) In Zechariah’s time, people were also confused about fasting. Bethelsarezer asked the priests and the prophets: “Must I mourn and abstain in the fifth month as I have been doing these many years?” (Zec 7:3) The Lord answered: “When...