- Insight from Butler's Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 58—Sermon for Israel. The prophet delivers a short but pungent sermon to Israel. •Rigor of the sermon: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet and show my people their transgressions” (v. 1). •Rebuke in the sermon: Israel was fasting, but it was only an outward show; it was not affecting their conduct, for they were still oppressing people; therefore, they were not being blessed for fasting. •Requirements in the sermon: If they treat the poor properly, if they feed the hungry, if they help the afflicted, and if they keep the Sabbath, then blessings will come when they fast.