In our reading today, we have two of the four Servant Songs in Isaiah 40-55 that prophesy the coming of the Servant of the LORD. In Isaiah 49:1-7 and 50:4-9, we have a more detailed explanation of the identity and work of this Servant, who was initially introduced to us in Isaiah 42:1-9. He is seen as accomplishing the vocation of the nation Israel.
The Servant Of The LORD
In the Book of Isaiah, as well in the rest of the Old Testament Scriptures, the nation of Israel was entrusted with the task by their covenant LORD to bring the nations to a knowledge and worship of the one Holy God (Isaiah 2:1-5). But this was a next-to-impossible task for a nation that could not find its own way to God. In Isaiah 42:18-20, as well as in many other places in the Book of Isaiah, Israel is depicted as a people that are blind and deaf to God’s word and working. They have hardened their hearts and have rebelled against the Holy One of Israel (Is. 6:9,10).
It is in this context that the Servant of the Lord will come and do what the nation Israel has failed to do. Cyrus, the Persian king, will be God’s instrument to bring the Israelites back from Babylonian exile to their Land. His military and political power will accomplish this. But the returned exiles are going to need a transformed heart if they are going to live faithfully with Yahweh God in the Land. Who is going to accomplish this? And how is he going to accomplish this?
The 4 prophetic Servant Songs in this section of Isaiah (Is. 42:1-9; 49:1-7; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12), tell us who will accomplish this full renewal of God’s people and how he will accomplish it. It is the Suffering Servant of the LORD. His main weapon will not be a physical weapon, but it will be his mouth and the words he speaks. In Is. 49:2, we read these words: “He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver”. God’s word is powerful and living, able to transform the most hardened human heart. God’s word will not return to him without accomplishing his purposes for the earth (Is. 55:10,11).
Isaiah prophesies that one day the Servant will come who, in some ways, will be hidden to many, but in other ways, he will be the long-expected and well-prepared Word from God. He will not only reconcile the estranged Israelites back to Yahweh God (Is. 49:5), but will also be a light to all the Gentile nations (Is. 49:6). He will bring God’s salvation to the ends of the earth. He will fulfill God’s promise to Abraham to bless the whole world through his descendants (Gen. 12:3). This Servant of the LORD is called Israel in Isaiah 49:2 because he will stand in the place of the Israelites, and as their representative, he will fulfill the nation’s calling from Yahweh God.
The Saving Word From God
The Servant of the Lord will accomplish his saving work not by dominating and overpowering people. Instead, he will experience the same frustrations and vulnerabilities that the people he has come to redeem experience (Is. 49:4). He will allow himself to experience sufferings and abuse at the hands of those he has come to reconcile to God (Is. 50:6; 52:13-53:12). He will accomplish for the people of God, both Jews and Gentiles, what Cyrus or a mere human prophet of Israel could never accomplish – the salvation of the world.
Christians believe that this saving Word from God is Jesus of Nazareth. In John 1, he is described as being with God in the beginning and being God himself (Jo. 1:1). He became flesh and dwelt among us as God incarnate (Jo. 1:14). He came full of grace and truth (Jo. 1:17). No one has ever seen God, but God’s Only Begotten Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known (Jo. 1:18).
He was the Prophet (Deut. 18:15-20), the Living Word of God, who’s word in our hearts transforms us in the deepest way possible (Heb. 4:12). He is the one who’s ears were fully open to the LORD and who fully obeyed Yahweh God (Is. 50:4-6). He did for us what we could not do ourselves. He was pierced for our transgressions, and by his wounds, we are healed of our spiritual waywardness (Is. 53:5). He is the Pioneer and Trailblazer for Israelites and Gentiles. In his hands, the will of the LORD will prosper (Is. 53:10b). All of God’s promises are Yes and Amen in him (2 Cor. 1:20).
In response to God’s merciful and powerful work promised in His Servant, the Israelites are urged to turn back to the LORD and to listen to him (Isaiah 51). If they respond in faith and obedience, the LORD will be able to comfort them and liberate them from all their bondages. He will be able to transform their spiritual barrenness into spiritual abundance. Despite their disobedience and God’s judgment, this does not have to be the final word in their lives. There is still hope because of the faithfulness of Yahweh God.
QOTD: Are your ears wide open each day to hear and obey God’s Word in your daily life?