Reading: Isaiah chapter 42 verses 1-7.
• This is the first of four servant songs, four poetic prophecies.
• The other three are in chapters 49-53.
Note: In the book of Isaiah the word ‘Servant’ appears 20 times:
• But it does not always refer to the same person or object.
• Amazingly there at least 6 different possibilities regarding Isaiah’s servants!
Sometimes the word refers to:
• (1). Isaiah himself;
• Coded way of saying: “I am God’s servant, so you had better listen to me.”
• (2). At certain times it refers to King Cyrus (who lived 150-200 years after this prophecy)
• Through him God would accomplish the deliverance of his people.
• (3). At certain times it clearly is a reference to Jesus Christ.
• (4). At certain times it is referring to the nation Israel;
• (5). At certain times it refers to the remnant of Israel.
• (6). Some people even say it is a prophetic reference to the Church and its work.
Ill:
• Let’s take a modern example of how one word; can be used in different ways.
• Take the word video,
• Imagine somebody 3,000 years in the future;
• Looking back in time and understand what we meant by the word video?
(a).
• Suppose I say to Kathy, this afternoon we are going to watch a video;
• She knows that we are not going to sit and stare at a video cassette recorder,
• Instead we are going to insert a cassette into the VCR and watch a film.
(b).
• Someone over hearing our conversation might say;
• We have a video at home, could we watch the film after you.
• Now they are using the same word video;
• But this time it does not mean the cassette but the video cassette recorder
(C).
• Someone else might say I’m glad you have a machine,
• There is a programme on later on tonight, could you video it for me?
• This time the word is being used as a verb; to video something.
• It’s being used to describe the process of recording information.
So we use the word video to mean at least three things:
• The cassette, the machine & the process of recording & watching information.
• On each occasion you understand the word by the context that surrounds it.
• The same is true when Isaiah uses this word ‘servant’.
• The key is to note the context that the word is used in!
The context for chapter 42:
• While facing military threats from Assyria and eventually Babylon:
• Isaiah comforted the people of God by saying God will send his servant to help.
• In chapter 41 Isaiah actually pointed them 200 years into the future when he said;
• God’s servant King Cyrus will defeat the Babylonians and restore the people to the land.
Now in this chapter (42) he points them 700 years into the future and encourages them to see another far greater servant:
• This servant is the Messiah, the Christ.
• God’s Son!
• We know that these verses apply to Jesus;
• Because Matthew in his gospel chapter 12 verses 18-21 quotes them & applies them.
Now In today’s society we are not comfortable with the idea of being a servant,
• Quote: “We all like to be called servants until somebody treats us like one!”
• Jesus was both called and treated as a servant, God’s perfect servant.
Verse 1
• Starts off with the word “Here is my servant” or “Behold, my servant”,
• It is like the sudden blast of the trumpet or the roll of the drum in an orchestral work.
• It is designed to get our attention,
• It’s as if a climax has been reached.
This servant song divides into three parts:
• Verses 1-4: God speaks to the nation Israel.
• Verses 5-7: God speaks to the servant direct, with Israel overhearing what is said.
• Verses 8-9: God again speaks to the nation.
God speaks to the nation
• In verses 1-4;
• There are at least five truths regarding Gods servant:
(1). The Servant is Empowered by His Master (verse 1a).
• (N.I.V.) “Whom I uphold”. (C.E.V.) “I have made him strong.”
• Note also: verse 6: “I will take hold of your hand”.
When Jesus was on planet earth:
• He did not act in his own strength but was totally dependent upon God the Father.
• It has been said that he did his miracles as the Son of Man, not the Son of God.
• Meaning that he did not operate in his own strength;
• Instead he relied entirely on the Lord.
As a servant:
• He was expected to perform certain duties; all servants are expected to work.
• That too was true of Jesus (the perfect servant).
• At the end of his ministry, in the Lord’s prayer (John chapter 17 verse 4);
• Jesus could say; “I have finished the work you gave me to do”
• Jesus was the obedient, perfect servant;
• Who depended on God for his strength and who finished the work he was given to do.
(2). The Servant is the Elect of His Master (verse 1b):
(K.J.B.) “Mine elect”. (N.I.V.) “My chosen one”.
• Jesus was given the title ‘Messiah’ (Hebrew) or ‘Christ’ (Greek).
• Which means ‘Anointed one’, the one chosen of God for a special purpose.
Ill:
• In the Bible three types of people were ‘anointed’.
• Prophets, priests and kings.
Only Jesus held all three of those ministries:
• The Woman of Samaria (John 4) is just one example;
• Where Jesus accepted the title prophet.
• In John chapter 17 we see his priestly ministry;
• As he prays and pleads for his disciples.
• When asked by Pilot (John chapter 18 verse 37) “Are you a king?”
• Jesus replied; “For this reason was I born, and for this I came into the world”.
(3). The Servant is Enjoyed by His Master (verse 1c):
(N.I.V. & K.J.B.) “In whom I delight” (C.E.V.) “I am pleased with him”.
In contrast to the people of Isaiah’s day;
• Who were idolatrous, disobedient, hard-hearted, self-reliant & sinful.
• God’s perfect servant would bring joy to his heart not disappointment and sadness.
Only Jesus could say:
• John chapter 8 verse 29:
• “I do always those things that please the father!”
• He said those words to his biggest critics and enemies the Pharisees;
• And not one of those trying to find fault with him, could argue against it or deny it!
Ill:
• And at his baptism & also the Mount of Transfiguration;
• God himself bore public witness to him saying;
• “This is my beloved Son, in whom I delight”
(4). The Servant is Endowed by His Master (verse 1d):
“I have put my spirit upon him”.
The life of Jesus was of course marked out by the Holy Spirit of God:
• (A). At his conception remember the words spoken to Mary (Luke chapter 1 verse 35):
• “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the most high will overshadow you”
• (B). His childhood (Luke chapter 2 verse 40): ‘The grace of God was upon him’
• Testimony that the Holy Spirit superintended his development at every point.
• (C). His baptism ( Matthew chapter 3 verse 16).
• “The Spirit of God descended like a dove”
• (B). His temptation (Matthew chapter 4 verse 1):
• “Jesus was led out by the Spirit”
• (E). His public ministry (Luke chapter 4 verse 14 & 18):
• “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit…the Spirit of the Lord is upon me”
• (F). His death (Hebrews chapter 9 verse 14):
• “It was through the eternal Spirit that he offered himself without spot to God”
• (G). His resurrection (1 Peter chapter 3 verse 18).
• “He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit”.
(5). The Servant is Equipped by His Master (verse 1e):
(K.J.B.) “He shall bring judgment” (N.I.V.) “He will bring justice to the nations”.
• The word ‘justice’ is repeated three times in the first four verses.
• This is always a characteristic of God and was seen at work in God’s servant.
Ill:
• Story of the woman caught in adultery (John chapter 8);
• We see both the justice and mercy of God working together.
• Jesus never treated sin lightly, he dealt with it!
• Depending on the attitude & the heart of the individual involved he responded accordingly!
God speaks to His Servant
Four Characteristics of the servant:
(1). He will be marked by Quietness (verse 2):
“He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets”.
Jesus never dealt with his disciples like a sergeant-major might deal with a group of soldiers.
• There was no screaming or shouting of orders.
• No public rebuke humiliating his disciples before other or themselves.
• Jesus did not assume the role of military commander,
• He did not need to shout to make his point.
Neither did Jesus ‘cry out’ to draw attention to himself.
• He was not a publicity seeker;
• In fact the opposite again and again he avoided the crowds and the limelight.
(2). Marked by Gentleness (verse 3a).
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;”
Hardly anything could be more tender and fragile than a bruised reed or a smouldering wick.
Ill:
• If you have ever tried to salvage a burnt piece of paper from the fire;
• You know how easily it breaks into a thousand pieces in your hand.
Ill:
• If you have ever restarted a fire that has almost gone out,
• Or know how tenderly you must deal with it.
• If you disturb it too much, or blow too hard, it is sure to go out.
At the time Isaiah wrote God’s people felt like this:
• Bruised and battered;
• Feeling as though they were about to be extinguished.
• Isaiah comforts them by telling them of God’s servant;
• Whose dealings with them will be gentle.
That was perfectly illustrated in the life of Jesus:
• Matthew in his gospel chapter 12 verses 18-21
• The Pharisees were conspiring to destroy Jesus;
• In this chapter we see the hardness and wickedness of their own hearts.
• And in contrast to them:
• Matthew quotes these verses from Isaiah.
• Which reveals the gentleness that lay in the heart of Jesus;
(3). Faithfulness (verse 3b):
• (N.I.V.) “In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;”
• (K.J.B.) “In faithfulness he shall bring forth judgment unto truth”.
• The Bible teaches that God abounds in faithfulness (Exodus chapter 34 verse 6),
• And so his servant will be like him.
• In chapter 11 verse 5 God’s servant was described as:
• “David’s descendent who has faithfulness as a sash around his waist”.
• In a world of injustice;
• Jesus will be someone who can be relied upon to be fair and just.
(4). Strength (verse 4):
“He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope.”
• God’s servant will not grow dim or give poor light like a flickering wick.
• He will not be crushed like a bruised reed.
• He will be a saviour of strength and power,
• Of stamina and courage.
• Though he is a servant,
• He will also be a king.
One of the things that impresses you as you read through the gospels:
• Is Jesus’ strength and authority.
• He could stand toe to toe with the Pharisees (religious Mafia of his day).
• And they always backed down,
• He was never intimidated or fearful of them.
Ill:
• Even as he stood before Pilot;
• The conversation that takes place again reveals a man of strength.
• A man in control of himself;
• And it seems strange to say in control of his situation.
And Isaiah can confidently tell his readers:
• That one day (at his second coming) ‘All the islands’,
• In other words both Jews & Gentiles, will experience his perfect justice.
(5). Marked by righteousness (verse 6)
“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,”
ill:
• The base meaning of the word “righteous”;
• Literally means “move in a straight line.”
• Thus, “righteous” (rightwise) means “in the straight (or right) way.”
• Used with reference to morality, “righteous” means living or acting in the right way.
Righteousness is an attribute of God:
• In John chapter 17 verse 25;
• Jesus calls God “Righteous Father”
• Only God is truly righteous.
• In everything he does ‘he moves in the straight (right) way”
Isaiah tells us in this verse:
• That God’s servant would be righteous;
• Isaiah was of course limited in his understanding of the coming servant.
• You and I have the completed Bible;
• We know that the servant was indeed righteous because he was “God manifest in flesh”.
(6). Marked by liberation (verse 7)
“To open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness”.
Quote: Charles Wesley (1739)
“O for a thousand tongues to sing My Great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King. The triumphs of His Grace!
My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad The honours of Thy Name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease,
Tis music in the sinner’s ears, Tis life, and health, and peace.
He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me.
He speaks, and listening to His voice, New life the dead receive;
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice; The humble poor believe.
Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb, Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savoir come; And leap, ye lame, for joy.”
