I am always mystified at people who call Judaism legalistic and then manage to ignore passages such as this. For me this is at the heart of the pastoral endeavor: to connect worship and life outside the stained glass. Over the years, pastors may grow inured at being stewards of the mysteries. this may be a good opportunity to read material on liturgy, ritual, or the impact of worship.
1) v. 2 is an interesting summons for Americans. We actually believe that we are a called people. Alternately, we pick and choose what are unrighteous actions. Conservative ministers seem to point to the good old days and imagine some moral decline. Others seem to know that a moral decline would push god's hand to an explosive apocalypse.
Still, what a chilling thought that prayers go unheeded due to societal ills.See also v. 9a
2) Who has not wrestled with unanswered prayer if we are being candid?
3) Why do we ignore the religious call to fast?
4) What societal fasting do you think this passage calls us at this moment in national life?
5)Why do we see little evidence of v. 8?
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