Isaiah 42
The Promised Servant
The Character of the Servant Vs. 1-4
The Promises of the Servant Vs. 5-9
Sing a New Song Vs. 10-13
Intro: One Hit Wonders
Have you ever been to a concert of a musician who was a one hit wonder?
Sure they had made several albums but were only really known for one song?
When I was a kid Tommy Tutone was huge
His song 867-5309 was a number one hit, but can you think of another song he made?
Well he came to our fairgrounds to play a concert at the peak of his popularity
The stadium was packed with people excited to hear him
The only problem was they were bored for the whole show until the last song
Not only did people have no clue about his other songs they were terrible
He didn’t play his hit until the very end and most people walked out unsatisfied
We tend to make a big deal out of people who can write one good song
The music industry is filled with one hit wonders who never had another hit
But the true greats are artists and bands that can crank out hit after hit
If you think about bands like The Beatles and U2, and artists like Elvis and
Part of their allure is that their stuff was good and constant
As we get into Isaiah 42 we get this beautiful picture of Jesus Christ
But instead of describing him we get a list of his top hits and the list is extensive
What makes it all so amazing is that it is wrapped in the package of a servant, not a rock star
Read Isaiah 42:1-4
Transition:
The preceding messages deal with God’s words of comfort and encouragement, which were supposed to cause the people in Jerusalem to look to God for strength and deliverance
The Israelites who heard these words should put their trust in the sovereign power and plan of God in their time of crisis. God will be their help now
Eventually God himself will come to Zion in power to care for his people, reward those who trust him, and transform this world
But how will this holy God transform this world so that he can dwell among his people and rule it in power?
God introduces a special servant who will help his people, bring justice to the earth, and serve as a light to all the nations of this world.
This prophecy doesn't specify the name of the person but you get a clear picture that its Jesus
Isaiah 42 is one of the clearest pictures we get of Jesus’ role in his first coming
This is the first of four passages that are typically called “servant songs” (the others are in 49:1–6; 50:4–11; 52:13–53:12).
Although there is a brief song of praise to God at the end of this servant oracle, the title “song” is somewhat misleading because 42:1–9 is not a song but more like an installation or commissioning
God presents his servant in 42:1–4 to his people, accompanied with words of divine approval, empowerment, and predictions of success.
Once the servant is introduced God speaks directly to the servant (42:5–9), reassuring him of God’s power and commissioning him to a task.
The Character of the Servant vs. 1-9
Vs. 1 Behold my Servant whom I uphold, in whom my soul delights
First let’s look at the character of the servant
The New King James Version rightly capitalizes Servant, because the context demonstrates this is a clear reference to Jesus.
Additionally, Matthew quotes Isaiah 42:1-5 and plainly says it is a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus
Matt 12:18-21 Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
This is God’s chosen servant, the one who comes to save the world
So in this, the LORD commands all peoples to put their focus on Jesus.
Jesus described Himself as a servant and we should follow his lead
Mark 9:35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many
But Jesus isn’t just a servant. He is The Servant, and every one should behold, as the LORD says, My Servant.
Paul describes this in Phil 2:5-10
We should have the same attitude of Christ, in being God did not consider himself equal to God but lowered himself to the point of a servant
When Jesus said let him be your servant, it means being a servant is a choice.
But Jesus, the Servant, is more than an example to us.
Who did He come to serve?
He is our Servant. He serves us; not only in what He did in the past, but also He serves us every day through His constant love, care, guidance, and intercession.
Jesus did not stop serving when he went to heaven; He serves all His people more effectively than ever from heaven.
Vs. 1b I will put my Spirit upon Him
Jesus was filled with the Spirit, and did ministry in the power and flow of the Holy Spirit
Matt 3:16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
Through that Spirit Jesus will bring forth justice to the nations
He will right every wrong, restore order to a world gone awry
This justice is for all those who follow him who have been persecuted
It is not one nation against another but for those harmed for their faith
Jesus is watching and when he returns he will remember
Vs. 3 Gentle: A bruised reed He will not break
While on earth he will have a very gentle nature
This is another reference to the gentle character of Jesus.
A reed is a fairly fragile plant, yet if a reed is bruised, the Servant will handle it so gently that He will not break it.
Often we feel that God deals roughly with our weaknesses and failures.
Just the opposite is true. He deals with them gently, tenderly, helping them along until the bruised reed is strong and the smoking flax is in full flame.
Vs. 4 Strong: He will not fail nor be discouraged:
This is the second reference to justice we have seen in his character
The Servant is gentle, but not weak. He will bring forth justice for truth.
There aren’t two ways about it; it will happen, and discouragement will not stop the Servant.
Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus never gets discouraged?
When we think of the job that He has to do, the obstacles He must overcome, and the tools He needs to work with, it is amazing that He never becomes discouraged.
It is because He has all power and authority!
Faint is the same word as smoking in smoking flax He will not quench.
Discouraged is the same word as bruised in a bruised reed He will not break.
He is well able to do the task of redemption because He is free from all the weaknesses and failures of His people.
He has no flaws or blemishes - He is perfection and majestic strength.” (Redpath)
The Marks of the New Servant vs. 5-9
Vs. 5 Initiated by God (Thus says the Lord)
The promise of the Servant and His ministry is so wonderful, that the One making the promise should state His credentials.
Just as when we take out a loan, the bank asks for assurance we can fulfill our promise, so this verse is another “credit check” on God.
God the LORD is more than happy to do so.
First look up, because He created the heavens and stretched them out.
Then look down, because He spread forth the earth and that which comes from it.
Then look in a mirror, because He gives breath to the people on it.
The God who did such great things can fulfill His promises about the Servant!
Vs. 6 He called you in righteousness
Specifically, this is a promise from the LORD to the Servant - Jesus Christ.
What encouragement Jesus must have received from passages like this when He faced difficult and trying times during His earthly ministry!
“Because there was nothing unholy or unrighteous in My calling, You can be confident that the calling will be fulfilled.”
Vs. 6c Led by God (Take you by the hand)
“I am with You always, to love and guide You. I will never leave You. I am holding Your hand all the time!”
Vs. 6d Covered by God (I will keep You)
“You will not get lost or left behind. I am always there to watch over You and keep You.”
Vs 6e A New Promise & Light (give You as a covenant, as a light to the Gentiles)
“You will fulfill the purpose I have called You to. You will bring salvation, not only to Your people, but also to those afar off, who seem beyond salvation.”
Vs. 7 To open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison:
“I will use You to do miraculous works of restoration and healing, both physically and spiritually. You will be used to bring sight and freedom to many.”
What glorious promises, each fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus!
By extension, these promises also belong to us.
John 17:18 Jesus prayed, As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world
We are sent as Jesus was sent, and can receive these same promises as belonging to us.
Vs. 8 I am the LORD, that is My name:
Such glorious promises need confirmation, and the assurance that the one making the promises is able to fulfill them.
I am the LORD: “This is the famous tetragrammaton, or name of four letters, which we write Jehovah, Yehovah. The letters are Y H U H.
The Jews never pronounce it, and the true pronunciation is utterly unknown.”
Vs. 8b My glory I will not give to another:
First, no one else can fulfill these promises, because God will not share His glory with any other.
It is important to understand that Jesus shares in the glory of the Father.
John 17:5 Jesus prayed, And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
If God the Son and God the Father each share glory, and the LORD shares His glory with no one, it means that the Father and the Son are the LORD God. The LORD God - Yahweh - is one God in Three Persons.
Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare: God is master of both the past (the former things) and the future (new things). Being the master of both the future and the past, God has the present well in hand also.
We see this especially in the way that God can declare … new things, even before they spring forth. As Peter said, so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place (2 Peter 1:19). God’s prophetic word fulfilled shows us the confidence we can have in His word.
The Song to the Servant vs. 10-13
Psalm 33:3
Closing:
