8. Because Israel failed to do this, became oppressive, and disregarded and misused the Sabbath, what did God do?
“Therefore thus saith the Lord; Ye have not harkened unto Me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbor: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the Lord, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.” Jer. 34:17. See also Jer. 17:24-27; 2 Chron. 36:19-21.
9. What fault did God find with the way in which Israel came to celebrate her fasts and seasons of worship?
“Behold; in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact [pg 473] all your labors. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness.” Isa. 58:3, 4.
10. What does God set forth as the acceptable fast to Him?
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” Verses 6, 7.
Note.—All this shows that God loves liberty, and hates bondage and oppression.
11. What was Christ's mission to this world?
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” Luke 4:18.
Note.—The Gospels show that a large part of Christ's time even on the Sabbath was devoted to relieving the oppressed and distressed.