1 THE SERVANT OF THE LORD ISAIAH 42:1-25
2 Text: Isaiah 42:1-25, THE SERVANT OF THE LORD ISAIAH 42 1. Here is my servant whom I support, my chosen one in whom I take pleasure. I have placed my spirit on him; he will make just decrees for the nations. 2. He will not cry out or shout; he will not publicize himself in the streets. 3. A crushed reed he will not break, a dim wick he will not extinguish; he will faithfully make just decrees. 4. He will not grow dim or be crushed before establishing justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait in anticipation for his decrees. 5. This is what the true God, the LORD, says the one who created the sky and stretched it out, the one who fashioned the earth and everything that lives on it, the one who gives breath to the people on it, and life to those who live on it: 6. I, the LORD, officially commission you; I take hold of your hand. I protect you and make you a covenant mediator for people, and a light to the nations, 7. to open blind eyes, to release prisoners from dungeons, those who live in darkness from prisons. 8. I am the LORD! That is my name! I will not share my glory with anyone else, or the praise due me with idols. 9. Look, my earlier predictive oracles have come to pass; now I announce new events. Before they begin to occur, I reveal them to you.
3 10. Sing to the LORD a brand new song! Praise him from the horizon of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and everything that lives in it, you coastlands and those who live there! 11. Let the desert and its cities shout out, the towns where the nomads of Kedar live! Let the residents of Sela shout joyfully; let them shout loudly from the mountaintops. 12. Let them give the LORD the honor he deserves; let them praise his deeds in the coastlands. 13. The LORD emerges like a hero, like a warrior he inspires himself for battle; he shouts, yes, he yells, he shows his enemies his power. 14. I have been inactive for a long time; I kept quiet and held back. Like a woman in labor I groan; I pant and gasp. 15. I will make the trees on the mountains and hills wither up; I will dry up all their vegetation. I will turn streams into islands, and dry up pools of water. 16. I will lead the blind along an unfamiliar way; I will guide them down paths they have never traveled. I will turn the darkness in front of them into light, and level out the rough ground. This is what I will do for them. I will not abandon them. 17. Those who trust in idols will turn back and be utterly humiliated, those who say to metal images, You are our gods. 18. Listen, you deaf ones! Take notice, you blind ones! 19. My servant is truly blind, my messenger is truly deaf. My covenant partner, the servant of the LORD, is truly blind. 20. You see many things, but don t comprehend; their ears are open, but do not hear. 21. The LORD wanted to exhibit his justice by magnifying his law and displaying it.
4 22. But these people are looted and plundered; all of them are trapped in pits and held captive in prisons. They were carried away as loot with no one to rescue them; they were carried away as plunder, and no one says, Bring that back! 23. Who among you will pay attention to this? Who will listen attentively in the future? 24. Who handed Jacob over to the robber? Who handed Israel over to the looters? Was it not the LORD, against whom we sinned? They refused to follow his commands; they disobeyed his law. 25. So he poured out his fierce anger on them, along with the devastation of war. Its flames encircled them, but they did not realize it; it burned against them, but they did not notice. (NET) Introduction: It is well known that Cyrus was used as a servant of the Lord; God opened his heart to deliver the Jews from Babylonian captivity. In context, we can observe that Cyrus might be included in this great section. However, God gave an amazing announcement concerning the Servant of the Lord, and the great work that He would do. (Isaiah 42:1-8) There is no denying, that ultimately, the Servant is none other than the Messiah Himself. (Matthew 12:17-21) Even though Cyrus may be included in this passage, the final and ultimate application of this passage is to the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. The Messiah came into a dark world to open the eyes of those who were not seeing and to give light to even Gentile people. He is, A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (Luke 2:32) God made a second announcement that is recorded in Isaiah 42. He announced the coming deliverance of Israel from Babylon. He said His people would sing a new song, a song of deliverance. He also said He would make the way for His people to return to Jerusalem. (Isaiah 42:16) However, God wanted
5 it clearly understood that when He brought the people back from Babylon that idolatry must be left behind. He reminded them that they had deserved the troubles of captivity because of their attitudes toward Him. The blind and deaf among God s people, spiritual speaking, are told that it was time to open their eyes and open their ears and to follow God completely. Commentary: Isaiah 41:1-8, Here is my servant whom I support, my chosen one in whom I take pleasure. I have placed my spirit on him; he will make just decrees for the nations. He will not cry out or shout; he will not publicize himself in the streets. A crushed reed he will not break, a dim wick he will not extinguish; he will faithfully make just decrees. He will not grow dim or be crushed before establishing justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait in anticipation for his decrees. This is what the true God, the LORD, says the one who created the sky and stretched it out, the one who fashioned the earth and everything that lives on it, the one who gives breath to the people on it, and life to those who live on it: I, the LORD, officially commission you; I take hold of your hand. I protect you and make you a covenant mediator for people, and a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to release prisoners from dungeons, those who live in darkness from prisons. I am the LORD! That is my name! I will not share my glory with anyone else, or the praise due me with idols. (NET) An announcement concerning the Servant of the Lord Isaiah 42:1-8: God used the expression, Behold, my servant to gain the attention of both Jews and Gentiles. He said, Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. (Isaiah
6 42:1) Even though Cyrus may be included in these verses, there is no doubt that this is a reference to our Messiah, Jesus Christ. He is God s elect. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. (1 Peter 2:6) The Messiah would come in a quiet and gentle way. He would not create a disturbance in the street. (Isaiah 42:2) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7) Matthew left no doubt that this passage applies to Jesus. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; And charged them that they should not make him known: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. (Matthew 12:14-21) The Messiah would deal tenderly with the broken reeds in society. He would not destroy, even the small flicker of hope that some might have. Even though Jesus was tender and compassionate to the weak, He would not accept nor tolerate sin. He would hold man to a high standard of spiritual strength and to a strong standard of morality. Jesus was called and appointed for the righteous purpose of salvation. He came to To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. (Isaiah 42:7-8)
7 Isaiah 42:9-12, Look, my earlier predictive oracles have come to pass; now I announce new events. Before they begin to occur, I reveal them to you. Sing to the LORD a brand new song! Praise him from the horizon of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and everything that lives in it, you coastlands and those who live there! Let the desert and its cities shout out, the towns where the nomads of Kedar live! Let the residents of Sela shout joyfully; let them shout loudly from the mountaintops. Let them give the LORD the honor he deserves; let them praise his deeds in the coastlands. (NET) An announcement concerning deliverance from Babylon -- Isaiah 42:9-12: God s first great announcement in Isaiah 42 had to do with the coming of the Messiah. His second great announcement had to do with the deliverance from Babylonian captivity. The former prophecies concerning Judah going into captivity had now been fulfilled. God now prophesies or decreed a new thing. The captive people would be restored to their own land. This would be a new time in Jewish history. God wanted them to understand that the restoration was no accident. He gave them details before it happened. God called upon them to sing a New song. This new song was to be based upon His mercy. God s praise was to be sung from the ends of the earth. Isaiah wrote, Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands. (Isaiah 42:11-12) People everywhere were to shout out God s glory. Only God could know that the Jews would go forth against the enemies of his nation and prevail. Isaiah 42:13-17, The LORD emerges like a hero, like a warrior he inspires himself for battle; he shouts, yes, he yells, he shows his enemies his power. I have been inactive for a long time; I kept quiet and held back. Like a woman in labor I
8 groan; I pant and gasp. I will make the trees on the mountains and hills wither up; I will dry up all their vegetation. I will turn streams into islands, and dry up pools of water. I will lead the blind along an unfamiliar way; I will guide them down paths they have never traveled. I will turn the darkness in front of them into light, and level out the rough ground. This is what I will do for them. I will not abandon them. Those who trust in idols will turn back and be utterly humiliated, those who say to metal images, You are our gods. (NET) An announcement of vengeance upon God s enemies Isaiah 42:13-17: God promised that He would punish Babylon, and that He would deliver Israel. He had already promised that He would not forsake His people. When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. (Isaiah 41:17) The Lord would go forth like a mighty man. He would go forth, as one jealous for His own honor and jealous for the honor of His people. He would cry or rule over which means that He would utter his battle cry with a loud, clear voice. In a most interesting statement, God said it had felt like an eternity while His people were being punished for seventy (70) years in Babylon. It was difficult for God to refrain Himself from rescuing His people. At the end of those seventy (70) years, God said He would release His emotions just like a travailing woman cries when it is time for her to deliver her baby. When God released His emotions or stirred up His jealousy, there would be destruction against those who had fought against His people. God promised to bring the blind in a way that they knew not. This is a promise that He would bring His people from Babylon, leading them out of captivity, by a way that they were not familiar with. Their deliverance came by the hand of a new King name Cyrus. He voluntarily sent God s people out of Babylon. God illuminated the way for this deliverance to take place. He gave a solemn confirmation of His promise by saying, I will make
9 darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16) God not only promised that He would lead His people out, but He promised that He would turn back the idolatrous, oppressors of His people. Isaiah 42:18-25, Listen, you deaf ones! Take notice, you blind ones! My servant is truly blind, my messenger is truly deaf. My covenant partner, the servant of the LORD, is truly blind. You see many things, but don t comprehend; their ears are open, but do not hear. The LORD wanted to exhibit his justice by magnifying his law and displaying it. But these people are looted and plundered; all of them are trapped in pits and held captive in prisons. They were carried away as loot with no one to rescue them; they were carried away as plunder, and no one says, Bring that back! Who among you will pay attention to this? Who will listen attentively in the future? Who handed Jacob over to the robber? Who handed Israel over to the looters? Was it not the LORD, against whom we sinned? They refused to follow his commands; they disobeyed his law. So he poured out his fierce anger on them, along with the devastation of war. Its flames encircled them, but they did not realize it; it burned against them, but they did not notice. (NET) An announcement to hear and see Isaiah 42:18-25: In a final announcement, God challenges His people to turn back to Him. He reminded them that they had been in captivity as a result of what they deserved. God s people had been deaf and blind spiritually by choice. Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear. (Psalm 58:4) However, Israel still had the heart, if only they would wake up and listen to God. The Jews should have been God s messengesr to the Gentile nations. Sadly, they failed in their mission. Israel went into captivity because they had seen many
10 things, but had not profited by it. God was well pleased, in His own righteousness, to set forth His law before the Jews. God gave the law at Mount Sinai and He continually sent His prophets to instruct Israel in His teachings. Unfortunately, they did not take His teachings to heart and this led to seventy (70) years of captivity. The Jews were in Babylon, robbed, spoiled and snared in holes or taken captive in pits, to be punished for their sins. God stretched out His arms again to His people and asked, Who among you will give ear? God brought the Babylonians upon His people because of their sins or iniquities. Their sins lead to the burning of their precious city, Jerusalem and to general devastation. None of this changed the minds of the Jews, but seventy (70) years of captivity brought their hearts back to our great God. Conclusion: Our life s goal must be to honor God. God s greatness and the sacrifices He has made should humble us and cause us to bow before Him in loving obedience. God said, I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. (Isaiah 42:8) There is none, with whom God will share His glory. Our eyes and our ears must be open to the message of the great God of heaven. Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551, Greenville, AL 36037 USA
11 Questions on Isaiah 42:1-25 1. Who is the servant of the Lord referenced in Isaiah 42? 2. God promised to free the exiles from Babylonian captivity and to return them home to Jerusalem and the Promised Land. What did God require of those who returned home? 3. List the qualities, characteristics of the Servant of God, the Messiah. 4. Even though was and to the, He would not or sin.
12 5. The Messiah would hold to a of and to a of. 6. Christ s mission was to the, to bring out from the, and them that sit in out of the. 7. Explain what the statement in question 6 means. 8. God s first great announcement in Isaiah 42 had to do with the of the. His second great announcement had to do with the of the Jews from. The former had to do with s going into. 9. What New Song were the people of Judah to sing? What was the occasion of their singing this new song? 10. were to out s. that he would,
13 and that he would. God had that he would not his. 11. In what ways did the Lord turn darkness to light and make crooked things straight? 12. Spiritually speaking how are Christians to work to turn darkness to light and make crooked things straight? 13. God pled with to to. They had been in because they it. They had sinners by. 14. The were in,, and in or taken in, to be for their. out his again to his, Who among you will give ear? The Lord asks the same question of us today. 15. Our s must be to. s and the
14. He has made should us and us to before him in. Will you be open to the of the of?