Isaiah 58 is a chapter about the type of fast that God finds acceptable and worthy of rewarding. I understand almost the entire chapter, except the blue colored text below. What does God mean when he says not to hide yourself from your own flesh? It could mean not to be distant with your own flesh and blood (or family), or it could mean to confront your flesh and sinful nature, or perhaps it means something else entirely. Thank you in advance for your comments, and God bless.
(Young's Literal Translation)
5 Like this is the fast that I choose? The day of a man's afflicting his soul? To bow as a reed his head, And sackcloth and ashes spread out? This dost thou call a fast, And a desirable day -- to Jehovah?
6 Is not this the fast that I chose -- To loose the bands of wickedness, To shake off the burdens of the yoke, And to send out the oppressed free, And every yoke ye draw off?
7 Is it not to deal to the hungry thy bread, And the mourning poor bring home, That thou seest the naked and cover him, And from thine own flesh hide not thyself?
(Young's Literal Translation)
5 Like this is the fast that I choose? The day of a man's afflicting his soul? To bow as a reed his head, And sackcloth and ashes spread out? This dost thou call a fast, And a desirable day -- to Jehovah?
6 Is not this the fast that I chose -- To loose the bands of wickedness, To shake off the burdens of the yoke, And to send out the oppressed free, And every yoke ye draw off?
7 Is it not to deal to the hungry thy bread, And the mourning poor bring home, That thou seest the naked and cover him, And from thine own flesh hide not thyself?