Implementasi Puasa menurut Yesaya 58:1-12 di Wadah Wanita Ester GPdI Ekklesia, Jember

Abstract

Since Old Testament times, fasting has been a part of the lifestyle of the Israelites, not least in Isaiah 58. However, this chapter does not contain instructions for implementation but God's stern rebuke of the Israelites' practice of fasting at that time. The Israelites at that time had the mistaken notion that piety only needed to be maintained during fasting and did not involve daily life. They ignored the true meaning of fasting. Therefore, in this paper, the author investigates fasting according to Isaiah 58:1-12 in everyday life. The research was conducted through a qualitative method with a descriptive approach by involving the active fasting participants from the forum of Esther GPdI Ekklesia Women. Data were collected through observation and interviews, which then resulted in the finding that participants had understood that the nature of fasting is not only about piety but also caring for others. They have fulfilled this in their daily life by praying, refraining from oppression, and being just.

Abstrak

Sejak masa Perjanjian Lama, puasa telah menjadi bagian dari gaya hidup umat Israel, tidak terkecuali dalam Yesaya 58. Akan tetapi, pasal ini bukanlah berisi petunjuk pelaksanaan melainkan teguran keras Tuhan terhadap praktik puasa bangsa Israel saat itu. Bangsa Israel saat itu memiliki anggapan keliru bahwa kesalehan hanya perlu dipertahankan saat puasa dan tidak menyangkut kehidupan sehari-hari. Mereka abai akan makna puasa yang sesungguhnya. Oleh sebab itu, dalam tulisan ini penulis menyelidiki bagaimana imple-mentasi puasa menurut Yesaya 58:1-12 tersebut di dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Penelitian dilakukan melalui metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan deskriptif dengan melibatkan parti-sipan yang aktif berpuasa dari Wadah Wanita Ester GPdI Ekklesia. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi dan wawancara yang kemudian menghasilkan temuan bahwa partisipan telah memahami bahwa hakikat puasa bukan hanya soal kesalehan melainkan juga mempedulikan sesama. Mereka telah memenuhi hal ini dalam kehidupan sehari-hari dengan cara berdoa, tidak melakukan penindasan, dan bersikap adil.