Set Free Through
God’s Perfect Servant, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ
(The First of Four Servant Songs), Isaiah 42:1–25
See
My servant, a whom I uphold; My Chosen One in whom I delight. I
have put My Spirit upon Him; He will reveal justice to the nations of the
world. 2He will be gentle—He will not shout nor quarrel in the
streets. 3He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the dimly
burning flame. He will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair. He
will see full justice given to all who have been wronged. 4He won’t
be satisfied b until truth and righteousness prevail throughout the
earth, nor until even distant lands beyond the seas have put their trust in Him.
5The Lord God who
created the heavens and stretched them out, who created the earth and
everything in it, who gives life and breath and spirit to everyone in all the
world, He is the one who says to His Servant, the Messiah c: 6“I
the Lord have called You to demonstrate My righteousness. I will guard and
support You, for I have given You to My people as the personal confirmation of My
covenant with them. d You shall also be a light to guide
the nations unto Me. 7You will open the eyes of the blind and
release those who sit in prison darkness and despair. 8I am the
Lord! That is My name, and I will not give My glory to anyone else; I will not
share My praise with carved idols. 9Everything I prophesied came
true, and now I will prophesy again. I will tell you the future before it
happens.”
10Sing a new song to
the Lord; sing His praises, all you who live in earth’s remotest corners! Sing,
O sea! Sing, all you who live in distant lands beyond the sea! 11Join
in the chorus, you desert cities—Kedar and Sela! And you, too, dwellers in the
mountaintops. 12Let the western coastlands glorify the Lord and sing
His mighty power.
13The Lord will be a
mighty warrior, full of fury toward His foes. He will give a great shout and
prevail. 14Long has He been silent; He has restrained Himself. But
now He will give full vent to His wrath; He will groan and cry like a woman
delivering her child. 15He will level the mountains and hills and
blight their greenery. He will dry up the rivers and pools. 16He
will bring blind Israel along a path they have not seen before. He will make
the darkness bright before them and smooth and straighten out the road ahead.
He will not forsake them. 17But those who trust in idols and call
them gods will be greatly disappointed; they will be turned away.
18Oh, how blind and
deaf you are toward God! Why won’t you listen? Why won’t you see? 19Who
in all the world is as blind as My own people, e who are designed to be My
messengers of truth? Who is so blind as my “dedicated one,” the “servant of the
Lord”? 20You see and understand what is right but won’t heed nor do
it; you hear, but you won’t listen.
21The Lord has magnified his law and made it truly glorious. Through it He had planned to show the world that He is righteous. 22But what a sight His people are—these who were to demonstrate to all the world the glory of his law; f for they are robbed, enslaved, imprisoned, trapped, fair game for all, with no one to protect them. 23Won’t even one of you apply these lessons from the past and see the ruin that awaits you up ahead? 24Who let Israel be robbed and hurt? Did not the Lord? It is the Lord they sinned against, for they would not go where He sent them nor listen to His laws. 25That is why God poured out such fury and wrath on His people and destroyed them in battle. Yet, though set on fire and burned, they will not understand the reason why—that it is God, wanting them to repent. g[1] (Isaiah 42:1–25)
Introduction: if there has
ever been a day when people needed help, encouragement, rescuing, it is today.
People are sinking ever deeper in the sand under the weight of heavy burdens,
constant and brazen temptations, unimaginable evil, and a growing insensitivity
and indifference to it all. In addition, a host of personal problems are
overwhelming people’s spirits today, problems such as …
·
dissatisfaction,
purposelessness, emptiness
·
tension,
pressure, and anxiety
·
insufficient
income, financial difficulty, bankruptcy
·
unemployment,
loss of job, lack of skills
· a sense of discouragement, failure, inadequacy
People’s
need for help is the reason for the present Scripture. God knows our desperate
need, and with deep compassion He has stepped forward to meet it. This He did by
sending His Servant, the Messiah, into the world. Through His very own Servant,
the Lord Jesus Christ, God gives us the power to endure and conquer the
hardships that threaten to crush us. He meets all the needs of the human heart,
which He created to love and have fellowship with Him. This passage is the
first of four “Servant Songs” in the book of Isaiah (49:1–13; 50:1–11; 52:12–53:12).
This
is, Set Free Through God’s Perfect
Servant, the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ (the First of Four Servant Songs),
Isaiah 42:1–25.
1.
The promise to send the Messiah (vv. 1–4).
2.
The
mission of the Messiah (vv. 5–9).
3.
The
response to the Messiah (vv. 10–17).
4. The summons to believe God’s promise (vv. 18–25).
The Promise to Send the Messiah
See My servant, a whom I uphold; My Chosen One in whom I delight. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will reveal justice to the nations of the world. 2He will be gentle—He will not shout nor quarrel in the streets. 3He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the dimly burning flame. He will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair. He will see full justice given to all who have been wronged. 4He won’t be satisfied b until truth and righteousness prevail throughout the earth, nor until even distant lands beyond the seas have put their trust in Him.[2] (Isaiah 42:1–4)
This is a prophecy predicting the coming of the Messiah, a prophecy given some seven hundred years before the Lord Jesus Christ came to earth. The godly nature and character of the Messiah is discussed first, for the eternal fate of people hinges on their understanding of who the Messiah is. God Himself is speaking about the Messiah, which indicates the extreme importance of this passage:
a. The Messiah will be God’s Servant (v. 1). “Behold! My Servant.” Behold means to sit up and take notice. “Here is My Servant” (NIV). Pay attention to Him. “Look at My Servant” (NLT). God is presenting His Servant, the Messiah, to the world. So, He commands the world to look, to pay attention to Him. Being God’s Servant means that the Messiah will be devoted to God. His heart will be set on doing exactly what God commands. God is sending the Messiah into the world on a very specific mission, and since He is God’s Servant, the Messiah’s task will be to carry out the mission assigned Him. This is the announcement God is making. “Behold! My Servant.” He is coming to accomplish God’s will on earth, and God declares that He will uphold Him. No matter what the difficulties or how great the opposition, God Almighty will sustain, strengthen, and protect His Servant. He will make sure the Messiah accomplishes His task. Nothing will defeat Him or keep Him from doing God’s will.
b.
The Messiah will be God’s Chosen One. He has been
called, appointed by God Himself. He has not been conceived or sent on His
mission by an earthly ruler or heavenly being, but rather by God Himself. The
coming of the Messiah into the world was not determined by the wisdom of men,
but rather by the infinite wisdom of God. God and God alone appointed the
Messiah. He is God’s Chosen One. And God takes great delight in the Messiah, in
all that He is in His nature and character and in all the work that He
accomplishes. God expressed His delight in the Lord Jesus Christ on two
different occasions—at His baptism and at His transfiguration:
V “And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:
and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: And lo a voice from heaven,
saying, this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 3:16–17).
V “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light. And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, this is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him” (Mt. 17:1–5).
c. The Messiah will have God’s very own Spirit. This passage stresses that the Messiah will be filled with the fullness of God’s Spirit. God’s Spirit will rest on Him, fully equipping Him to carry out His task. Down through history, God had given His Spirit to His servants, but they were mere human beings, so the power of the Spirit to work through them was always limited. But that will not be the case with the Messiah, the Savior of the world. The Spirit of the Lord—all the fullness of God Himself—will rest upon Him (11:2; Col. 2:8).
d. The Messiah will be righteous and just, possessing within His very nature the perfection of virtue and decency. Thus, He will bring true justice to the nations and the people of the world. Note how important this is to God, for it is mentioned three times in these four verses (v. 1, 3, 4). Keep in mind that true justice is the result of acting exactly as one should, always doing what is right, and treating others as they should be treated. True justice and salvation are strong counterparts in that righteous behavior is oftentimes a good indication of a person’s salvation, and salvation leads to righteous behavior. The point being emphasized is this: the Messiah’s very nature compels Him to save the world by establishing justice among its nations and peoples. Of course, when the Lord Jesus Christ returns to set up God’s kingdom on earth, His justice will be all that is needed to save the world and to eliminate all wicked and evil behavior.
e.
The Messiah will be peaceful, not boisterous, threatening, or lawless (v.
2).
He will not be a rabble-rouser or a troublemaker. He will not take part in
riots, uprisings, or revolts. He will not be violent, but rather have a calm,
restful spirit. As a man of peace, He will share the message of harmony between
people and between God and people.
V “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good
will toward men” (Lu. 2:13–14).
V “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid” (Jn. 14:27).
V “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In
the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the
world” (Jn. 16:33).
V “The word which God sent unto
the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:)”
(Ac. 10:36).
V “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ” (Ro. 5:1).
V “For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the
middle wall of partition between us”
(Ep. 2:14).
V “And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to
reconcile all things unto Himself; by him, I
say, whether they be things in
earth, or things in heaven” (Col. 1:20).
V “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Is. 53:5).
f. The Messiah will be compassionate (v. 3). His very nature will be one of love, mercy, and understanding. Because of His nature, His entire life will be focused on pastoral care. Note the reference to a bruised reed. Bruised reeds are useless, so people break them and discard them. But because the Messiah’s heart is full of compassion, He will not break or throw anyone away as useless. To the contrary, His very purpose for coming to earth will be to help the bruised, those who have been wounded and weakened by the trials and hardships of life. Smoking flax, or smoldering wick (NIV) is a picture of people whose lives lack purpose and meaning, who have lost almost all faith and hope. Whatever desires or expectations they did have nearly been snuffed out, and a sense of despair grips their hearts. But God promises that the Messiah will have compassion on the smoldering wicks of the earth. He will cup them in His hands and keep the flame—their hope and sense of purpose—from burning out. The Messiah will be faithful to treat them justly, just as they should be treated, and to strengthen and lift them up. By meeting their need, He will prove faithful and bring true justice to earth.
Thought. Note the people upon whom Christ had
compassion:
(1)
Christ
had compassion upon the weak, the purposeless, and the aimless—upon all who had
lost faith and hope.
V “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them,
because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Mt. 9:36).
(2)
Christ
had compassion on the sick, those who were diseased.
V “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness
and every disease among the people” (Mt.
9:35).
V “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with
compassion toward them, and He healed their sick” (Mt.
14:14).
(3)
Christ
had compassion on the hungry, those who had nothing to eat and were faint from
hunger.
V “Then Jesus called his disciples unto
Him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue
with Me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away
fasting, lest they faint in the way” (Mt.
15:32).
(4)
Christ
had compassion on those who could not pay their debts.
V “Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him,
and forgave him the debt” (Mt. 18:27).
(5)
Christ
had compassion on the blind.
V “So, Jesus had compassion on them,
and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they
followed Him” (Mt. 20:34).
(6)
Christ
had compassion on lepers, those considered most unclean.
V “The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are
cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the
gospel preached to them” (Mt. 11:5).
V “And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him,
and saying unto Him, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved
with compassion, put forth His hand,
and touched Him, and saith unto Him, I will; be thou clean” (Mk. 1:40–41).
(7)
Christ
had compassion on the bereaved, the grief-stricken who had lost loved ones.
V “Now when He came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead
man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and many
people of the city were with her. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion
on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And He came and touched the bier: and they
that bare him stood still. And He
said, young man, I say unto thee, Arise” (Lu.
7:12–14).
(8)
Christ
had compassion on people who repented, who turned away from their sins and
returned to God.
V “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Lu. 15:20).
g. The Messiah will be steadfast and persevering (v. 4). He will not falter, fail, or become discouraged. No matter what difficulty, hardship, or opposition confronts Him, He will persist in His task. He will not give up or stop until true justice—truth and righteousness—are established on earth. He will be totally committed to teaching God’s law, His Holy Word, and to giving hope to the people of the earth. And He will not rest until He has accomplished His purpose—until all the islands, all the distant lands beyond the sea, place their trust and hope in His law (Holy Word).
Thought. What a
powerful example for us! We must be steadfast and persevering in the task of
reaching the world for Christ. We must not falter or be discouraged by
hardship or opposition. We must not allow anything to stop us from taking the
glory of God to the farthest ends of the earth. We must press on until the task
is fully accomplished.
V “And ye shall be hated of all men
for My name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Mt. 10:22).
V “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not
in vain in the Lord” (1 Co. 15:58).
V “And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not” (Ga. 6:9).
V “Only let your conversation [conduct, behavior] be as it becometh the
gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may
hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving
together for the faith of the gospel” (Ph.
1:27).
V “I charge thee therefore before
God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his
appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the
time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own
lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And
they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered,
and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the
faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but
unto all them also that love His appearing” (2
Ti. 4:1–8).
V “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end
for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”
(1 Pe. 1:13).
V “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the
faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that
are in the world” (1 Pe. 5:8–9).
V “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the
error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both
now and forever. Amen” (2 Pe. 3:17–18).[3]
a 42:1 See my servant. Not Cyrus, as in ch. 41, but Christ.
b 42:4 He won’t be satisfied, literally, “He will not burn dimly or be
bruised.”
c 42:5 to his Servant, the Messiah, implied.
d 42:6 I have given you to my people as the personal confirmation of my
covenant with them, or “You will be my covenant with all the people.”
e 42:19 as my own people, literally, “as my servant.”
f 42:22 these who were to demonstrate to all the world the glory of his law,
implied in previous verse.
g 42:25 wanting them to repent, implied.
[1] Taylor, Kenneth
Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible,
Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.
a 42:1 See my servant. Not Cyrus, as in ch. 41, but Christ.
b 42:4
He won’t be satisfied,
literally, “He will not burn dimly or be bruised.”
[2] Taylor, Kenneth Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.
[3] Leadership
Ministries Worldwide. 2005. Isaiah: Chapters
36–66. Vol. II. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible.
Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
https://my.bible.com/bible/116/ISA.42.NLT
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