“Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.”
The people's complaint—"Why do we fast but you do not see? Why humble ourselves but you do not notice?"—reveals that their fasting is transactional: they perform spiritual disciplines expecting quid pro quo divine response. The emotional accusation ("why do you not notice?") expresses frustration that their religious performance has not yielded expected divine attention or blessing. This verse captures the mentality of works-righteousness: religious act should obligate divine response. The prophet's subsequent response will demolish this calculus, redefining authentic fasting as radical justice and service.
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