Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as [ye do this] day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
Ver. 4. Behold.] Take notice whence it is, that ye so miscarry in your services, and leave muttering against me.
Ye fast for strife and debate.] Or, Unto strife and debate - i.e., On your fast days ye contend and quarrel; being hungry, you are angry, as emptiness whetteth choler. Sed quid prodest pallor in ore, si sit livor in corde? to what purpose is a pale face and a spiteful spirit? and what is a humbling day without a humbled heart! not only an irreligious incongruity, but a high provocation; like Zimri's act, when all the congregation were weeping before the door of the tabernacle. Get thee behind, saith Jehu to the messenger, "what hast thou to do with peace?" Confessions and prayers are our messengers; but if the heart be not broken, there is no peace to such wicked.
And to smite with the fist of wickedness,] scil., Your servants or your debtors, as Matthew 18:28. They should have had, on such a day especially, Pacem cum hominibus, cum vitiis bellum (which was Otho II's motto), Peace with men, and war with their wickednesses.
Ye shall not fast as ye do this day.] For ye fast not to God, Zechariah 7:5 ; Zec 7:11-12 but bear fruit to yourselves, like that "empty vine" Ephraim, Hos 10:1 and so are not a button the better for all you do; Jeremiah 14:12, "When they fast, I will not hear their cry."
To make your voices to be heard on high.] Out of ostentation of devotion; but secrecy here were a better argument of sincerity. Or, do you think to be heard on high, i.e., in heaven, for such outside services?