Hypocritical Fasting

5. How do the Jews try to gain divine favor, and with what reaction from Jehovah?

⁵ In an effort to gain divine favor, the Jews go through the formality of fasting, but their pretended piety only alienates them from Jehovah. In apparent bewilderment they ask: “For what reason did we fast and you did not see, and did we afflict our soul and you would take no note?” Jehovah responds frankly, saying: “Indeed you people were finding delight in the very day of your fasting, when there were all your toilers that you kept driving to work.

Isaiah 58:3

6. What actions by the Jews betray their fasting as hypocritical?

⁶ While fasting, feigning righteousness, and even asking for Jehovah’s righteous judgments, the people pursue selfish pleasures and business interests.