Conjunctions Matter
I remember singing along with the Schoolhouse Rock songs, like “Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?” Sing along with me. Actually, that's all I remember, and yes, it's an earworm, causing you to hear this song all day. You can thank me in the comments.
Conjunctions matter. Merriam-Webster defines conjunctions as “an uninflected linguistic form that joins together sentences, clauses, phrases, or words.”[1] The beauty of the Hebrew language is that they do so much more, and Isaiah uses conjunctions to emphasize his points. Verse 11 begins with “and,” prompting us to look back, all the way to verse 9c.
If you take away the yoke from your midst,
the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.
Verse 9c begins the first part of an “if—then” conditional statement and sets the stage for identifying the current status of the nation of Israel. Isaiah calls out the Israelites for not correctly observing fasts for oppressed people. He begins 9c with “if you take away the yoke …,” then he lists how they should be observing a fast. In 9c, it reminds them to release the captives. 9d reminds them to stop accusing others (pointing the finger) and speaking wickedness. Verse 10a-b continues with a challenge to meet the needs of the oppressed people. We are to feed the hungry and help people in need.
This all builds in a crescendo to the conclusion of the conditional statement, where the “then” clause begins in 10c. Isaiah proclaims all the blessings God will shower on the nation of Israel, but only when they observe fasts correctly. He reminds them that God is our light, and He will change the darkness into light, just as described in Genesis 1:3. In 10d, he starts with “and” God will adjust our point of view to see the way He sees the world. When we are in sad, mad, or “pippy” moods, time with God will bring us to see the world as a better place.
Over the past four weeks, we have examined God’s guidance, renewal, restoration, strength, and refreshment in verse 11. All the lines started with “and,” meaning they are all given by God.
And the Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail.
Isaiah 58:11 (emphasis mine)
This verse reminds us of several names of God:
1. Adonai Eli Moreh, meaning The Lord, my God, will guide. He will guide us on paths He knows.
2. Yahweh Go-el, meaning God our Restorer. He will revitalize, renew, refocus, and restore us.
3. El Gibbor, meaning The Mighty Lord. He will give us strength and endurance.
4. Mayim Chaim symbolizes God’s Spirit and the refreshing, renewing power of faith.
Isaiah teaches the Israelites to fast correctly to release oppressed people:
● They must release people from bondage. Bondage doesn’t have to be physical; it can also be mental, spiritual, or emotional.
● Stop accusing people of sins. We are to remember that we must remove the plank in our eye before we try to remove the speck in someone else’s eye. (Matthew 7:3-5)
● Cease speaking wickedness means all types of conversations that don’t build people up.
● We must meet the needs of people worldwide. Feed the homeless, give to shelters, help neighbors, visit the elderly, and hold crying kids for overwhelmed parents.
What can you do to help release oppressed people? Drop your favorite way to help others in the comments.
Let us pray:
Adonai Eli Moreh, guide us in the ways You want us to go. Yahweh Go-el, renew and restore us. El Gibbor, pour your strength into us when we are too tired to stand. Mayim Chaim, make us a well of Your living water to give to people around us. Thank you for reminding us of the oppressed people and how we can help them. Amen