Isaiah Chapter 42

(The first of Isaiah's four Servant Songs)

If anyone took the position that Isaiah chapter 42 were strictly about God's servant Israel, their position would be refuted in the scriptures. As a matter of fact, the prophet Isaiah reveals "two" servants in this chapter, both noticeably different from one another. Isaiah 42:18-20 reveals a 'blinded' servant who sees many things and does not understand while Isaiah 42:6-7 reveals an individual who is a 'light to the Gentiles' and who opens the eyes of the blind:

Isaiah 42:18-20 - "Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant? Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not."

Isaiah 42:6-7 - "I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house."

As a result of the obvious contrast between the above passages, it is clear that there are two separate and distinct servants spoken of in this chapter. After all, how can a blinded servant who does not understand be a 'light'? If an individual did not understand, would he or she be qualified to teach and be a light to others? If someone walked ‘in darkness’, would they have the ability to lead the way? Of course not!

Actually, the same prophet Isaiah identifies both servants in the prior chapters in the book of Isaiah. There is a servant who is blinded and does not understand and there is a servant who does understand. According to Isaiah 6:9-10 and Isaiah 29:9-14, God's servant Israel is the blinded servant whose knowledge has been taken away by the LORD Himself:

Isaiah 6:9-10 - "And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed."

Isaiah 29:9-14 - "Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid."

After viewing these passages, it is clear that Israel is the blinded servant in Isaiah 42:18-20. This is confirmed even further in Micah 3:6 (regarding Israel):

"Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them."

In contrast to Israel, the Messiah (the rod out of the stem of Jesse) shall have the spirit of wisdom, understanding and knowledge:

Isaiah 11:1-2 - "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD."

In Zechariah 3:8, the Messiah is referred to as the LORD’S servant:

"Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH."

After viewing all of these passages a question needs to be asked: Who is a more qualified 'light of the Gentiles', the Messiah or Israel? The answer is obvious: It is the Messiah! This conclusion is further supported by the fact that Isaiah 11:10 speaks of the root of Jesse, the Messiah, as an ensign of the people:

Isaiah 11:10 - "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious."

Isaiah 42:22 describes the blinded servant Israel as 'robbed and spoiled', 'snared in holes' and 'hid in prison houses'. Isaiah 42:7 reveals that the Messiah, the light of the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6), as the one bringing out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house:

Isaiah 42:22 - "But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore."

Isaiah 42:7 - "To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house."

The only conclusion that can be drawn by viewing Isaiah 42:22 and Isaiah 42:7 is the following: In Isaiah chapter 42, the prophet Isaiah prophesies of a time when the Messiah will open the eyes and ears of understanding of God's blinded and deaf servant Israel. Keeping this in mind, we can now take a look at the entire chapter of Isaiah 42 with full understanding.

Isaiah 42:1(The Messiah)

Isaiah 42:1 - "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."

Is the servant in the above passage Israel or the Messiah? By harmonizing the scriptures and trusting in the word of God (Proverbs 3:5), the identity of this servant is quite clear. First of all, this verse indicates that this servant will meet "three" requirements: First, God's soul delights in him. Secondly, God places His spirit upon him. Finally, this servant brings forth judgment to the Gentiles.

In answer to the first qualification, does God's soul delight in Israel? Jeremiah 5:7-9 provides the answer in the negative:

"How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses. They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?"

In answer to the second qualification, according to the book of Isaiah, has the prophet given us the identity of the servant who Almighty God has placed His spirit upon? Isaiah 11:1-2 provides the answer in 'the rod out of the stem of Jesse', the Messiah:

"And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD."

Regarding the final qualification, with respect to the scriptures, who brings forth judgment to the Gentiles? According to Isaiah 11:4 and Jeremiah 23:5, this is a responsibility set aside strictly for 'the rod out of the stem of Jesse', the Messiah:

Isaiah 11:4 - "But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."

Jeremiah 23: - 5 "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth."

Who can doubt that Isaiah 42:1 is Messianic? Since the servant of Isaiah 42:1 has now been established, Isaiah's message in the rest of the chapter will now become quite clear.

Isaiah 42:2-3 - "He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth."

Although this passage states that the Messiah will bring forth judgment (Isaiah 11:4, Jeremiah 23:5), additional information is given. He will also be gentle and kind. He will have truth! Therefore, he will have 'the fear of the LORD'. Isaiah 11:2 certainly reveals that the rod out of the stem of Jesse will have 'the fear of the LORD':

"And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD."

According to the New Testament, Jesus of Nazareth, had the fear of the LORD:

Hebrews 5:7 - "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared."

According to the scriptures, the LORD’S servant Israel has had "NO" fear of the LORD (Jeremiah 5:23-24). In fact, when the house of Israel and the house of Judah accept the New Covenant, God will place his fear in their hearts (Jeremiah 32:40):

Jeremiah 5:23-24 - "But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest."

Jeremiah 32:40 - "And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me."

Isaiah 42:4

Isaiah 42:4 - "He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law."

Once again, it is the Messiah who will set forth judgment in the earth (Isaiah 11:4, Jeremiah 23:5). With reference to the scriptures, it is he who will sit upon the throne of David as King in Zion forever (Isaiah 9:7 KJV, Zechariah 6:12-13, Ezekiel 37:24-25). Isaiah 2:2-3 specifically teaches that the law will proceed out of Zion. It will come from him, the King over all the earth:

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house - of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."

Isaiah 42:5-6 - "Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles."

According to this passage, the LORD has called him 'in righteousness'. Isaiah 11:4-5 and Jeremiah 23:5-6 indicate that the Branch of David, the Messiah, is truly righteous. In contrast, Deuteronomy 9:4-6 and Isaiah 48:1 reveal that Israel is "NOT" righteous (see also Isaiah 1:4). In fact, Israel is called a transgressor from the womb in Isaiah 48:8:

Isaiah 11:4-5 (Regarding the Messiah) - "But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins."

Jeremiah 23:5-6 (Regarding the Messiah) - "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Deuteronomy 9:4-6 (with respect to Israel) - "Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people."

Isaiah 48:1 (with respect to Israel) - "Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness."

Isaiah 1:4 (regarding Israel) - "Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward."

Isaiah 48:8 (regarding Israel) - "Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.."

Certainly, from these passages it is clear that, with respect to the scriptures, God’s servant - the Messiah - is righteous and that God’s servant Israel is unrighteous. This further supports the fact that Isaiah 42:1-6 is Messianic. Additionally, Isaiah 42:6 states that it is the Messiah, a descendent of David, who is given as a covenant of the people. He is the New Covenant that is briefly explained in Jeremiah 31:31-34 and he is the suffering servant of Isaiah chapter 53 in which the LORD - "laid upon him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6). - "He was wounded (pierced) for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities and with his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Moreover, it is the Messiah, a descendent of David, who is a light (2Kings 8:19, 2Chronicles 21:7, Psalms 132:17, Isaiah 11:10):

2Kings 8:19 - "Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him alway a light, and to his children."

2Chronicles 21:7 - "Howbeit the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a light to him and to his sons for ever."

Psalms 132:17 - "There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed."

Isaiah 11:10 - "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious."

From these passages it is clear that the Messiah will be a light to both the Gentiles and the people of Israel.

Isaiah 42:7

Isaiah 42:7 - "To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house."

As previously illustrated, it is Israel who has blind eyes (Isaiah 6:9-10, Isaiah 29:9-14, Micah 3:6) and who are in prison houses (Isaiah 42:22). Romans 11:25 specifically states that it is blindness 'in part' that has happened to Israel. According to this particular verse, this will be the case 'until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.' Romans 11:25 states:

"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."

This blindness 'in part' is mostly due to the fact that Israel's knowledge and understanding about their Messiah has been taken away. This is confirmed in Isaiah 53:2 and Isaiah 53:3 that prophesied that he (the Messiah, God's suffering servant) would be rejected by his own people:

Isaiah 53:2 - "For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." (3) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

This prophesy was fulfilled in John 1:11 regarding Jesus, which states:

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not."

Israel did not recognize him the first time. However, some day the LORD God will pour out His spirit upon His chosen people (Joel 2:28-32) and then they will understand. When the Son of man, the Messiah, comes with the clouds of heaven and establishes his kingdom which will last forever (Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel 2:44-45, Isaiah 9:7 KJV), he will be embraced by his people, the children of Israel. Zechariah 12:10-14 states:

Zechariah 12:10-14 - "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (11) In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. (12) And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; (13) The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; (14) All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart."

According to Zechariah 12:10, the LORD will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications. Then they will understand. They shall mourn for him and repent (Zechariah 12:10-14). Zechariah 13:1 (the next verse) explains that there will be forgiveness of sin through this repentance:

"In that day, there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness."

Isaiah 11:1-9 reaffirms this position. In the nutshell, it states that there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse (v.1). He will have the spirit of understanding, counsel and might. Additionally, he will have the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD (v.2). He will make Israel of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD (v.3). He will not only judge the nations, but ‘'righteousness' will be the girdle of his loins (v.4-5). There will be world peace in that day (v.6-9) for they shall no more destroy in God's holy mountain (v.9). Moreover, the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD (v.9). The veil shall be removed and the blind will then understand. It is the Messiah who will bring full knowledge and understanding to the world.

Isaiah 11:10 states: "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious."

Isaiah 42:9

Isaiah 42:9 - "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them."

According to this verse, the LORD declares "NEW" things before they come to pass. These "NEW" things are as follows:

He will establish a "NEW" covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah (Jeremiah 31:31-32)..

..not according to the covenant made at Sinai (Deuteronomy 9:9-11).

A "NEW" covenant by which there will be full knowledge of the LORD and by which God remembers their sin no more (Jeremiah 31:34).

Almighty God will give them a "NEW" heart and a "NEW" spirit. Ezekiel 36:26 states:

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."

Isaiah 42:10

Isaiah 42:10 - "Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof."

In Isaiah 42:9, the LORD declares "NEW" things. There will be a "NEW" covenant established with Israel, God will give them a "NEW" heart and a "NEW" spirit. What happens next? According to Isaiah 42:10, they sing unto the LORD a "NEW" song! The LORD reigns! The nations are about to be placed under judgment. Joel 3:13-14 states:

"Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision."

Joel 3:16-17 continues to explain that there will be victory for His people, the children of Israel, in that day when Jerusalem shall be holy and their sin is taken away:  "The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more."

Psalms 98:1 - "O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory."

Psalms 98:5-9 - "Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity."

Isaiah 42:13-15

Isaiah 42:13-15 - "The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools."

The LORD shall certainly prevail against His enemies. According to this passage, He will make waste mountains, make the rivers islands and dry up the pools. How will this occur? Zechariah chapter 14 explains in great detail: According to this chapter, there will come a day when all nations come against Jerusalem to battle and the city shall be taken (Zechariah 14:1-2). Then shall the LORD go forth and fight against those nations that have come against Jerusalem. According to Zechariah 14:3-4, His feet will stand in that day upon the mount of Olives. In other words, the LORD God of Israel will be present in Jerusalem. According to Zechariah 14:12, this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem:

"Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth."

In that day, fire shall proceed from the LORD over all the earth. There will be extreme heat. This is how He will make the rivers islands and dry up the pools, with extreme heat. Psalms 97:1-6 explains:

Psalms 97:1 - "The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. (2) Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. (3) A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. (4) His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled." (5) The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. (6) The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory."

Isaiah 42:16

Isaiah 42:16 - "And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them."

The LORD will certainly bring the blind servant Israel by a way that ‘they knew not’. For them, redemption and salvation will arrive in an unexpected fashion. Israel, which has walked in darkness, has seen light. In Isaiah 9:2-7, Isaiah prophecies of the Messiah setting up his kingdom which will last forever. Isaiah 9:2 confirms this prophecy that those who walked in darkness will see a great light:

Isaiah 9:2 states: "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."

In Isaiah 42:16 and Isaiah 9:2, the blind servant Israel has seen a great light, the light of the world, their Messiah! He will come and set up his kingdom that will last forever (Isaiah 9:7 KJV, Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel 2:44-45).

Isaiah 9:5 KJV prophecies of a battle won with 'burning and fuel of fire'. This is the battle spoken of in Zechariah chapter 14, when the LORD smites all of those who come against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:12):

Isaiah 9:5 - "For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire."

Zechariah 14:12 - "And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth."

Isaiah 42:17

Isaiah 42:17 - "They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods."

Ezekiel 36:32 confirms that it will be the house of Israel that will be greatly ashamed:

"Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel."

Isaiah 42:18-22

Isaiah 42:18-22 ***It has already been established that the blinded servant in prison houses in this passage is Israel (Isaiah 6:9-10, Isaiah 29:9-14, Micah 3:6).

Isaiah 42:23-25

Isaiah 42:23-25 - "Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law. Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart."

The LORD 'laid it not to heart'. He will not begrudge His firstborn son. His mercies endure forever. Although the LORD has punished Israel for their sin, He will not forsake them. His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is eternal (Genesis 17:1-10). Isaiah 62:11-12 is a true witness to the LORD'S love and devotion to the children of Israel:

"Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken."

Isaiah 4:2-"In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. (3) And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: (4) When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning."

The above references and passages in the scriptures are certainly clear: Not only will the Messiah provide physical salvation for the children of Israel (Isaiah 9:5, Zechariah 14:2-4,12), he will also provide a spiritual salvation. This will be accomplished in that day when he cleanses the children of Israel from their sin and uncleanness (Isaiah 4:2-4, Jeremiah 33:14-16, Zechariah 3:8-9, Zechariah 13:1,8-9) and reconciles them to the LORD God of Israel. Israel is the blinded servant who cannot see and understand (Isaiah 6:9-10, Isaiah 29:9-14, Isaiah 42:18-22, Micah 3:6) and the Messiah is the servant that has the spirit of understanding, wisdom and knowledge (Isaiah 11:1-2). Some day Israel will understand, but this will not occur until that day when God pours out His spirit upon His servant Israel (Joel 2:27, Zechariah 12:10) and the Messiah sets up his kingdom that will last forever (Isaiah 9:7, Daniel 7:13-14, Zechariah 14:3-18).

John McTernan  &  Louis Ruggiero

Isaiah 49

(The Second of Isaiah’s four Servant songs)

Isaiah 49:1-8

Isaiah 49:6 "And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth."

In Isaiah 42, the first of Isaiah’s Servant Songs, the prophet refers to two servants. According to this chapter, the Messiah is referred to as a covenant of the people and a light of the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6) while Israel is the spiritually blinded and deaf servant living in darkness and in prison houses (Isaiah 42:7,18-22). It is quite clear that both of these servants are radically different from one another since Israel is called blind and deaf while the Messiah provides light and understanding to others.

It has always been the Lord’s intention to be glorified through the nation of Israel. This has never changed! Exodus 19:5-6 reveals that Israel was originally called to be a holy nation and a kingdom of priests.

Exodus 19:5 "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: (6) And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel."

According to this passage, Israel remaining a holy nation and a kingdom of priests was contingent upon them obeying the voice of the Lord their God, as was spoken through the prophets, and keeping the covenant. Israel’s failure to hearken to the prophets (Zechariah 7:11-13) and to keep the covenant (Deuteronomy 31:16-17, 1Kings 19:10, Jeremiah 22:9, Jeremiah 31:31-32) resulted in them being called a "sinful nation" (Isaiah 1:4-5) and losing their priesthood. At Sinai, in response to Israel’s display of idol worship in building the golden calf (Exodus 32:35), Almighty God took away the priesthood from them and gave it to only one tribe, the tribe of Levi.

Isaiah 49 unveils the Messiah’s ministry set before Him by Almighty God. He would be called to complete all of the things that Israel failed to accomplish. Since Israel was called to be a kingdom of priests to the entire world, the Messiah Himself would provide the priesthood that was taken away from Israel as a result of their sin. In addition, He would reconcile the children of Israel before the Lord by providing atonement for their sins. King Messiah would not only be Israel’s physical Redeemer, but He would also be their spiritual Redeemer. Through Him, Israel will be glorified! Isaiah 62:11-12 states:

Isaiah 62:11 "Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. (12) And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken."

Isaiah chapter 49 begins to explain King Messiah’s rejection by His people. This rejection is further described in the third Servant Song, Isaiah chapter 50, where King Messiah is portrayed as being not rebellious and severely beaten. Finally in Isaiah chapter 53, the fourth Servant Song, the final culmination and overall picture of King Messiah’s rejection, suffering and death is portrayed. The fourth Servant Song also explains why King Messiah had to die.

It is important to realize that the reason why Israel would reject King Messiah is that their understanding and knowledge has been taken away by Almighty God as a result of their sin and their removal of their hearts from Him. As a result of this continued rebellion, the Lord took away their knowledge and understanding. Isaiah 29:13-14 explains:

Isaiah 29:13 "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: (14) Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid."

Since Israel would reject Him, as prophesied in Isaiah chapters 49, 50 and 53, the Gentiles would become the immediate beneficiary and recipient of His ministry. Though Israel will one day accept the Messiah, which will result in the nation being exalted and glorified (Isaiah 62:11-12), this will not occur until the Messiah’s ministry for the Gentiles is completed. This is supported by Romans 11:25-27 and Isaiah 49:6 which follow:

Romans 11:25 "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. (26) And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: (27) For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins."

Isaiah 49:6 "And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth."

Keeping this in mind, let us examine the second of Isaiah’s Servant Songs.

Isaiah 49:1-2

Isaiah 49:1 "Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (2) And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;"

In this passage, the Messiah is speaking to the nations (isles) of the earth. His mouth is likened to a sharp sword. This is evidenced by the fact that in Isaiah 11:1-2, the Messiah has been given the spirit of wisdom, understanding and knowledge. The fact that the Lord had called Him from the womb and from the bowels of His mother and He had mentioned His name is illustrated in the following passage.

Luke 1:30 "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (34) Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (35) And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."

Isaiah 49:3

Isaiah 49:3 "And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified."

In this verse, the Lord is speaking to the Messiah in the name of ‘Israel’ indicating that, through Him, He would be glorified. The bible illustrates a similar example in which the Lord responds to a single individual "in the name of" the group that he represents. Isaiah 7:10-14 records a verbal exchange between King Ahaz and the Lord through the prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 7:10 "Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, (11) Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. (12) But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. (13) And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? (14) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

In Isaiah 7:13, the Lord addresses King Ahaz as "the house of David" because he, as the contemporary king of Judah, was the highest representative of the house of David. In like manner in Isaiah 49:3, Almighty God addresses King Messiah as "Israel" since He, as King Messiah, is the absolute representative of the nation.

Isaiah 49:4

Isaiah 49:4 "Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God."

In this verse, King Messiah is speaking. He reveals His emotions as the result of Israel’s rejection of Him. His immediate reaction is both of sadness and of concern. He indicates that all of His efforts were seemingly futile and unsuccessful. Additionally, King Messiah indicates in full confidence that, although this appears to be the case, the Lord is with Him.

Isaiah 49:5

Isaiah 49:5 "And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength."

Here, the Lord God responds to King Messiah’s sadness and concerns indicating that He is not to be discouraged. In fact, He is encouraging Him. Though Israel "be not gathered" as the result of their rejection of Him, Almighty God instructs King Messiah that He will not fail in His ministry because He, The Lord Himself, will be His strength. Furthermore, the Lord reveals His utmost respect for His servant, King Messiah, indicating that He is glorious in His eyes.

Isaiah 49:6

Isaiah 49:6 "And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth."

In this verse, King Messiah describes His ministry that is given to Him by the Lord God. Since the Lord will be His strength, it would be a "light thing", i.e., not a difficult thing, to "raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel." The Lord advises King Messiah that not only will He restore the preserved of Israel, but He would also be given as a light of the Gentiles. Through King Messiah, Almighty God would reveal His salvation to the ends of the earth, to all nations. This is confirmed in the following passage, where the Messiah is referred to as the Lord’s holy arm, the arm of the Lord.

Isaiah 52:10 "The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God."

This position has already been established in Isaiah 42:6 where the prophet indicates that because the Lord will be with Him, i.e., "holding his hand," the righteous Messiah (Isaiah 11:5, Jeremiah 23:5-6) would also be given as a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles:

Isaiah 42:6 "I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles."

Additionally, Isaiah 50:7,9 (the words of King Messiah Himself), further emphasizes that the Lord God will help Him and be His strength.

Isaiah 50:7 "For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. (9)Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up."

Isaiah 49:7

Isaiah 49:7 "Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee."

This is the foundation verse that establishes that Israel would not recognize the Messiah, the Holy One of Israel. This concept is expanded and fully explained by Isaiah in the third and fourth Servant Songs. The explanation for this is as follows: As a result of their blindness, they would not recognize Him. Therefore, they would despise and reject Him. Additionally in this verse, the Hebrew word "goy" is used and refers to a single nation. It is the same word that is used in Isaiah 1:4 with reference to Israel, which states: "Ah sinful nation."

Finally, Isaiah 49:7 ends with the phrase: "and he shall choose thee." The following verse, Isaiah 49:8, confirms and solidifies that the Messiah is being chosen by God and the reasons why He is being chosen.

Isaiah 49:8

Isaiah 49:8 "Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages."

This verse shows the Messiah as the one being chosen and given as a covenant of the people (Isaiah 42:6). It is the Lord God who will help Him (Isaiah 42:6, Isaiah 50:7, Isaiah 50:9). He is the one who is not only chosen to bring back Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel (Isaiah 49:5-6) but to provide salvation and light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6, Isaiah 49:6).

Isaiah 42:6 (with respect to King Messiah) "I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles."

Isaiah 49:6 "And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my  servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth."

Furthermore, Isaiah 11:10-12 indicates that King Messiah, referred to as the "root of Jesse" will bring back Jacob from the four corners of the earth. He will also stand for an ensign of the people:

Isaiah 11:10 "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (11) And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. (12) And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."

Isaiah 49:9-10

Isaiah 49:9 "That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. (10) They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them."

In this passage, King Messiah speaks to the children of Israel. They are the ones who are referred to as being prisoners in prison houses (Isaiah 42:7, Isaiah 42:22). They are also referred to as being in darkness (Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 42:16) whose understanding and knowledge had been taken away (Isaiah 6:9-10, Isaiah 29:9-14, Isaiah 42:18-22, Hosea 4:1,6). In Isaiah 5:13, when God told Israel that they had no knowledge, He likened this to them being famished and dried up with thirst. There is a direct relationship between having "no knowledge" and being "famished and dried up with thirst."

Isaiah 5:13 "Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst."

Isaiah 49:9-10 brings a great promise from King Messiah to the children of Israel. The people who walked in darkness will see a great light (Isaiah 9:2)! The light of the world is King Messiah. In that day, He will have mercy on them and lead them by the springs of water. They will no longer hunger or thirst. Through Him, Israel will be exalted and glorified among the nations of the earth. Zechariah 8:23 states:

Zechariah 8:23 "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you."

Though the children of Israel have gone through a tremendous amount of torment and affliction throughout the centuries, the Lord promises that He has not totally turned away from His people. Through the Messiah, the Savior of the world, the Lord will fulfill the promise that He made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Isaiah 49:14-16 states:

Isaiah 49:14 "But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. (15) Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. (16) Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

As the third and fourth Servant Songs are examined, it will become abundantly clear how much love King Messiah has for the children of Israel as the result of the beatings He received and His blood that was shed for them.

Isaiah 50

(The third of Isaiah’s four Servant songs)

Isaiah 50:4-10 "The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. (5) The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. (6) I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. (7) For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. (8) He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me. (9) Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. (10) Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God."

In this chapter, the prophet Isaiah begins to develop the theme of God's Messiah as a suffering servant. The Messiah was first mentioned as being abhorred and despised in Isaiah 49:7. Now he is beaten and assaulted (vs. 6-7). In Isaiah 50:4, this servant is also shown to be learned. Furthermore, He would not be rebellious to God (vs. 5). These characteristics are critical in identifying this servant as the Messiah and not the nation of Israel. This presentation will conclusively illustrate that the servant of Isaiah 50:4-10 is God’s suffering servant the Messiah and not the nation of Israel.

***This theme of the suffering Messiah is fully developed in Isaiah 52:13-53:12. See our presentation on Isaiah 53 that will be posted in a few weeks.

The Suffering Messiah

Isaiah 50:6-7 "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. (7) For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed."

God’s servant the Messiah will hold three offices. He will not only be the King of Israel but the entire world. Additionally, He will be a priest and He will be the Judge of all the earth. He will hold all three positions as He rules from His majestic temple as described by the prophet Ezekiel in chapters 40-48 of his book.

The prophet Micah describes the rule of the Messiah as Judge. There will be great peace over all the earth and the nations will come to Jerusalem to be taught the word of God. The law and the word of God will come directly from the Messiah as He sits and rules upon His throne in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 43:7, Zechariah 6:12-13). The Messiah will judge the nations of the earth and rule them with a rod of iron. The prophet Micah describes this event in chapter four. Micah 4:1-3 states:

"But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. (2) And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (3) And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

Although Micah describes the glorious reign of King Messiah as Judge, he goes on to say that this Judge of Israel would first be beaten with a rod upon His cheek. In other words, God’s servant the Messiah would suffer. Micah 5:1 (KJV) states:

"Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek."

The prophet Isaiah reveals the degree of the beating that God’s righteous servant would endure. According to the prophet, He would be beaten so intensely that He would be unrecognizable. The actual shape of His face would be beyond recognition:

Isaiah 52:13-14 "Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. (14) As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men"

Another reference to a suffering Messiah can be found in Zechariah 13:7, which states:

"Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones."

According to this passage, the one who is referred to by the LORD as ‘my shepherd’ and ‘my fellow’ is smitten or stricken. However, who is this shepherd who is spoken of so fondly and with such great admiration and respect by the LORD God of Israel? In order to answer this question, it is necessary to refer to the book of Ezekiel. The book of Ezekiel was written approximately four hundred years after King David had died. In Ezekiel 37:24, the reference to ‘David’ is a reference to the Messiah who would be a son of David. Ezekiel 37:24 states:

"And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them."

Although Zechariah 13:7 states that the LORD’S shepherd would be stricken, Ezekiel 37:24 refers to the Messiah as Israel's one and only shepherd.

Why was the shepherd stricken? Zechariah 13:1 provides the answer. It states: "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." In other words, the shepherd's blood was shed as atonement for sin. This shepherd was not stricken for anything that he had done, but he was stricken for the sin and uncleanness of others. In John 10:14-15, Jesus said:

"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (15) As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."

The picture drawn by the prophets is that the Messiah will be exalted as King, Priest and Judge over all the earth. He would also be their shepherd. Micah 5:1, Zechariah 13:7 and Isaiah 50:6,7 show that God’s righteous servant was going to be stricken and beaten. The prophets tell why He had to suffer, and this will be covered in the Isaiah 53 presentation. Isaiah confirms that God’s righteous servant will be highly exalted but first He would have to suffer. Isaiah 52:13-14 states:

"Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. (14) As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:"

In summary, according to Micah 5:1 the judge of Israel, the Messiah, would be stricken with a rod upon the cheek. Micah 5:2 (KJV), the following verse, tells everyone the Messiah’s place of origin. He would be born in Bethlehem:

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

Disqualifying Israel as the subject of Isaiah 50:4-10

Isaiah 50:4 "The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned."

Isaiah 50:4 indicates that this servant would be knowledgeable and learned. However, Isaiah 29:9-14 reveals that knowledge has been taken away from Israel by Almighty God Himself as a result of them removing their heart far from Him (vs. 13):

Isaiah 29:9-14 "Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. (10) For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. (11) And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: (12) And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. (13) Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: (14) Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid."

Not only does this above passage reveal that the wisdom of Israel’s wise men has perished and their understanding is hidden (vs. 14), but Isaiah 5:13 and Hosea 4:1,6 provide further confirmation that they have ‘no’ knowledge:

Isaiah 5:13 "Therefore, my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst."

Hosea 4:1 "Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. (6)My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."

In fact, Isaiah 9:14-16 serves as a warning to the children of Israel not to follow the teachings of their leaders:

Isaiah 9:14-16 "Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. (15) The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. (16) For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed."

As a result from these scriptures, how can anyone come to the conclusion that Israel has the tongue of the learned? In fact, according to these passages, knowledge and understanding had been taken away from them. Therefore, the only possible conclusion to be made is this: Israel does not qualify as being the subject of Isaiah 50:4.

Isaiah 50:5 "The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back."

Here, there are two (2) attributes that are revealed about this servant:

1) The Lord GOD hath opened this servant’s ears, and

2) This servant was not rebellious

Taking all of this into consideration, do these qualities refer to Israel? With respect to the first attribute, has the LORD opened Israel’s ears? The following passages answer this question in the negative:

Isaiah 6:9-10 (Regarding Israel) "And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. (10) Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed."

Isaiah 42:18-20 (Regarding Israel) "Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. (19) Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant? (20) Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not."

From these passages one thing is clear: The LORD has closed Israel’s ears, not opened them. In fact, the LORD calls Israel ‘deaf’ (Isaiah 42:18,19). Therefore, how can Isaiah 50:5 apply to Israel?

According to the second attribute, has Israel been ‘rebellious’? The following verses apply to Israel:

Deuteronomy 9:7 "Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD."

Isaiah 1:5 "Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint."

Isaiah 30:9 "That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD."

Isaiah 65:2 "I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts."

Jeremiah 5:3,23 "O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return. (23) But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone."

Zechariah 7:11-12 "But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. (12) Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts."

All of the above passages and verses confirm that Israel has been rebellious. In fact, this has been the case ever since the days of Moses (Deuteronomy 9:7). However, it certainly needs to be mentioned that all of us have a tendency of being rebellious against God. Romans 3:23 states:

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." 

This presentation is not intended to fault Israel in any way. This illustration is made in order to demonstrate that Israel does not qualify as being the subject of Isaiah 50:5. We all sin. When it comes to sinning and being unclean before the LORD, the children of Israel are certainly no exception. In fact, Israel will some day be glorified, but not until it is purged from its sin and uncleanness. Isaiah 4:3-4 proclaims:

"And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: (4) When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning."

In conclusion, with respect to Isaiah 50:5, Israel does not meet any of the requirements in order to qualify as the subject of this verse. The LORD has closed their ears and they have been rebellious throughout their history.

Isaiah 50:6-7 "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. (7) For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed."

Is it possible that the above passage in Isaiah 50:6-7 refers to God’s servant Israel? In order to answer this question it is necessary to stay in full confidence that the entire Word of God is true. All of the prophets harmonize with one another. When we harmonize the scriptures, we can harmonize ourselves into the truth regarding every biblical issue. Proverbs 3:5 states: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

Ezekiel chapter 36 prophesies of a time when the LORD God will gather Israel from their dispersion into the nations and bring them back safely into their own land. The scriptures reveal that God will do this in order to sanctify His holy name that Israel had profaned when they had been dispersed into the nations. Ezekiel 36:20-22, 31-32 states:

Ezekiel 36:20-22 "And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land. (21)But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. (22)Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went."

Ezekiel 36:31-32 "Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. (32)Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel."

According to Isaiah 50:7, this servant would not be ‘confounded’ or ‘ashamed’. According to Ezekiel 36:31-32, God’s servant Israel would be ‘confounded’ and ‘ashamed’ for their own ways:

In other words, Ezekiel 36:32 eliminates Israel as being the subject of Isaiah 50:7. Israel will certainly be confounded and ashamed for their ways. According to Isaiah 50:7 this servant would ‘NOT’ be confounded and ashamed. As a result, the suffering servant referred to in Isaiah 50:6-7 must be someone else. It is certainly not Israel.

Can the suffering servant in Isaiah 50 be Isaiah himself? There seems to be no scriptural, Talmudic or historical evidence to support any claim that the beard was plucked from Isaiah’s face or that he was beaten at any time. In fact, it appears that Isaiah was a highly respected prophet among his own people. He was brought before king Ahaz (Isaiah chapter 7) and king Hezekiah (Isaiah chapter 39) and treated with the utmost respect and dignity.

Once Again, The Messiah Qualifies

Isaiah 50:4-5 "The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. (5) The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back."

God’s servant Israel has already been eliminated as being the subject of this passage (Isaiah 29:9-14, Isaiah 5:13, Isaiah 29:9-14, Hosea 4:1,6). However, do the scriptures reveal that the Messiah is learned? Would he have knowledge according to the scriptures? Isaiah 11:1-2 reveals the Messiah’s qualities:

Isaiah 11:1-2 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: (2) And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD."

According to Isaiah 11:1-2, the Messiah will have the qualities specified in Isaiah 50:4. He will have the tongue of the learned because He will have the spirit of wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Isaiah 50:5 also indicates another quality of this servant. He will not be rebellious. Isaiah 11:2 reveals that the Messiah will have the fear of the LORD. Since the Messiah would have the fear of the LORD, he will certainly not be rebellious. Only those who do not have the fear of the LORD are rebellious against the LORD. As a result, the only possible conclusion to be made is this: Isaiah 50:4,5 refers to the Messiah and not Israel. The Messiah meets all of the qualifications specified in this passage. Israel does not meet any of the requirements.

Hebrews 5:7 (Regarding Jesus) "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared."

Jesus of Nazareth possessed the fear of the LORD. 

The Glorified Messiah

The servant of Isaiah 50:7 would not be confounded and ashamed. Such is the case with the Messiah. In fact, the scriptures reveal that the Messiah will be highly exalted and glorified throughout the ends of the earth. According to the following passage, all people, nations and languages shall serve him:

Daniel 7:13 "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. (14)And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."

There are a number of other scriptural references that support Daniel 7:13-14 with respect to a highly glorified Messiah. They are:

Isaiah 9:7 "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

Isaiah 11:10 "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious."

Psalm 72:5 "They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations."

Psalm 72:8-11 "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.(9) They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.(10) The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. (11) Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him."

Psalm 72:17 "His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed."

Micah 5:4 "And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth."

Zechariah 9:10 "And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth."

These passages teach that it is the Messiah who will be glorified and honored throughout the ends of the earth. In fact, he is the one given the distinction of being placed ‘at the right hand’ of Almighty God (Psalm 110:1).

Note: See the presentation on Psalm 110 made available on our web site which will provide further details regarding the Messiah at the right hand of Almighty God.

The Glorified Israel

The LORD has not forsaken Israel. Isaiah 49:14-15 states:

"But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. (15) Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee."

When the nations of the earth come against Jerusalem to battle (Zechariah 12:3, Zechariah 14:1-2) it is the LORD who will fight for His people (Zechariah 14:3-4). After the enemy is defeated (Zechariah 14:12), the LORD will set up His kingdom in Zion (Psalm 132:13-14). Zephaniah 3:17-20 not only confirms the LORD’S joy and gladness when He reigns in the midst of His firstborn son Israel (Exodus 4:22), but it also reveals that Israel will be exalted by the nations of the earth:

Zephaniah 3:17-20 "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. (18) I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. (19) Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. (20) At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD."

Isaiah 62:12 confirms: "And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken."

Summary

It has been clearly established that Isaiah chapter 50 does not refer to Israel. This chapter refers to the Messiah as God’s suffering servant. It is the Messiah who has the tongue of the learned (Isaiah 50:4, Isaiah 11:1-2). He possesses the fear of the LORD and would not be rebellious (Isaiah 50:5, Isaiah 11:2, Hebrews 5:7). In contrast, God’s servant Israel has been called ‘deaf’ in the scriptures (Isaiah 6:9-10, Isaiah 42:18-20) and a servant having no knowledge (Isaiah 5:13, Isaiah 29:9-14, Hosea 4:1,6).

Isaiah 50:10 states: "Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God."

According to Isaiah 50:10, who is the servant that we are all called upon to obey? Can it be Israel who walks in darkness and is called blinded and deaf as well as a servant having no knowledge? Or is it the Messiah who has the spirit of wisdom, the spirit of understanding and the spirit of knowledge and who is a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6, Isaiah 11:10)? Certainly, it is the Messiah! It is HE Whom we are told to obey.

Israel has also been a rebellious people throughout its history and has not shown the fear of the LORD (Deuteronomy 9:7, Isaiah 1:5, Isaiah 30:9, etc.).

With respect to Isaiah 50:6-7, the suffering servant would not be confounded and ashamed. Ezekiel 36:31-32 indicates that Israel would be confounded and ashamed for their ways. Not only will the Messiah not be confounded and ashamed, He would be highly glorified and exalted (Isaiah 9:7, Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 72:5,8-11,17, Micah 5:4, etc). Therefore, how can Israel be the subject of this chapter?

It is the Messiah who set his face like a flint. They plucked out the beard from his face (Isaiah 50:6-7). He was mocked, spit at and beaten, yet he never said a word. He was not rebellious. Isaiah 53:7, with respect to God’s suffering Messiah, states:

"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 50:11 closes with a firm warning for those who decide to follow the teachings of anyone else:

"Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow."

Isaiah 9:16 confirms that ‘the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.’ They will certainly lie down in sorrow (Isaiah 50:11).

Israel will be exalted some day, but not until they look upon him who was pierced (Zechariah 12:10). They will mourn for him as one mourns for his only son. In fact, all that remain in Jerusalem will mourn for him (Zechariah 12:11-14) on that great and terrible day of the LORD when all nations come against Jerusalem to battle (Zechariah 12:3, Zechariah 14:2). According to Zechariah 13:1, a fountain will be opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem ‘for sin and for uncleanness’.

They will call on His name, and he will hear them. There will be forgiveness of sins. Zechariah 13:9 states:

"And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God."

Jesus said in Matthew 23:39: "For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."

Revelation 22:20 "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. .................Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Isaiah 53 (The Suffering Servant)

The Fourth of Isaiah's Servant songs

Isaiah 53:11 “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”

Part 1 (Introduction)

The three previous Servant Songs of Isaiah are all about God's Servant, the Messiah. Isaiah's three previous Servants Songs (Isaiah 42, 49 and 50) are all building toward chapter 53 and the ministry of God's righteous Servant, the Messiah. Chapter 53 is the climax of this tremendous series of scriptures. In fact, Isaiah 53 may be the single most important section of the scriptures.

This section of scriptures, which begins with Isaiah 52:13 and ends with Isaiah 53:12, brings together the atonement for sin in Leviticus 16 with the ministry of the Messiah. Isaiah 53 shows how the God of Israel secured everlasting redemption from sin for mankind. Isaiah 53 could be one of the most important sections in the entire Bible as it ties together so many of its aspects in one concise chapter.

In Isaiah chapter 42, referred to as the first of Isaiah's four servant songs, the prophet speaks of God's two servants. It is quite clear that there are two servants being referenced in this chapter. One servant is Israel, which is described as the blinded servant living in darkness (Isaiah 42:18-20). The other servant is the Messiah, who is not only called a light of the Gentiles, but a covenant of the people (Isaiah 42:6, Isaiah 49:8). Isaiah chapter 53 then shows in great details what this covenant was with God's Servant, the Branch of David.

In Isaiah chapter 49, the second of Isaiah’s servant songs, the prophet illustrated that the nation of Israel would despise the Messiah, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 49:7 states:

Isaiah 49:7 "Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation (singular) abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee."

In Isaiah chapter 50, the third of Isaiah’s servant songs, the despised and rejected Messiah was shown to be beaten. According to Isaiah 50:5-7, he would willingly give his back to the smiters and his cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. He would not hide his face from shame and spitting and would set his face like a flint. Moreover, he would not be ashamed.

The fourth of Isaiah’s four servant songs is Isaiah chapter 53. In this chapter, Isaiah prophesies of the Messiah’s sufferings and indicates that He would bear the sins and iniquities of us all (Isaiah 53:6,11,12). In fact, after reading Isaiah 52:13 through Isaiah 53:12, one could not help but come to this conclusion. First, it is important to keep in mind that Isaiah begins his dialogue regarding the suffering servant in Isaiah 52:13, not in Isaiah 53:1. Therefore, the analysis will begin at Isaiah 52:13. The following is a verse by verse examination of Isaiah’s dialogue regarding the Messiah, God’s "Suffering Servant", beginning at Isaiah 52:13 and concluding with Isaiah 53:12.

At the conclusion of this presentation, the ministry and covenant of the suffering servant will be firmly established and confirmed. This analysis will demonstrate that Isaiah chapter 53 is merely a continuation of Isaiah chapter 50 in expounding upon the reasons for the sufferings of God’s righteous servant, the Messiah.

In the book of Isaiah, the prophet refers to two primary servants. The nation of Israel is called the LORD’S servant in Isaiah 41:8 and Isaiah 44:1. Also, the Branch of David, the Messianic King, who is also referred to as the ‘rod out of the stem of Jesse’ and the ‘root of Jesse’ (Isaiah 11:1,10), is called the LORD’S servant in Zechariah 3:8. The applicable verses follow:

Isaiah 41:8 (Regarding Israel) "But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend." Isaiah 44:1 (Regarding Israel) "Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:"

Isaiah 11:1 (Regarding the Messiah) "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots."

Isaiah 11:10 (Regarding the Messiah) "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious."

Zechariah 3:8 (Regarding the Messiah) "Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH."

Jesse was the father of David (Ruth 4:22, 1Chronicles 2:13,15). The Messiah is also referred to as the ‘root of Jesse’. Therefore, it is clear that the Messiah is the subject of Isaiah 11:1,10. A title for the Messiah is the BRANCH.

Before presenting the details of Isaiah 53 it is important to recall what the scriptures teach with respect to the nature of mankind. It is man's nature to sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20, Proverbs 20:9, 1Kings 8:46, Isaiah 64:6). While there can be no doubt that Almighty God calls upon all of us to obey his commandments, his laws, and to strive for perfection, we all sin. Here are a few scriptural references:

Psalms 51:3 (the words of King David) "For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me."

Psalms 51:5 "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me."

Romans 7:14 (The words of the apostle Paul) "For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin."

Although we all sin, it is the blood of a vicarious sacrifice as well as a repentant heart that justifies us to Almighty God. It is the atonement for our sins as David acknowledges in Psalms 51:17-19 (KJV):

Psalm 51:17-19 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (18) Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. (19) Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar."

Both repentance and a vicarious sacrifice have always been God's requirement for forgiveness of sins. You cannot have one without the other. Along with repentance, only through the blood of a vicarious sacrifice can one be allowed into the presence of Almighty God. In fact, Exodus 24:5-10 records the only time when men were sprinkled with the blood from a burnt offering. The 70 elders of Israel were sprinkled with the blood. They were then allowed to enter into the presence of Almighty God. In fact, they actually saw the LORD God of Israel. King David acknowledged the necessity for ‘BOTH’ repentance and a vicarious sacrifice for sin (Psalms 51:17-19, KJV). Keeping this in mind, let us examine the fourth of Isaiah’s servant songs.

Part 2 (The Exalted Servant)

Isaiah 52:13

Isaiah 52:13 "Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high."

In the beginning of Isaiah’s dialogue, the prophet introduces God’s exalted and glorified servant. God’s servant, the Messiah was first mentioned as being raised up and glorified in Isaiah chapter 42, the first of Isaiah’s servant songs. According to Isaiah 42:1, God has placed His spirit upon His servant, the Messiah (Isaiah 11:1-2). Additionally, it is the Messiah who will bring forth judgment to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:1, Jeremiah 23:5). Finally, according to Isaiah 42:6, the Messiah’s exaltation and glorification are evidenced by the fact that He would be ‘called in righteousness’, He would be a light to the nations and a covenant of the people.

Isaiah 52:14-15

Isaiah 52:14-15 "As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: (15) So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider."

This passage is the entryway into Isaiah chapter 53, and merits serious attention. Isaiah 52:14 demonstrates that this servant’s visage (face) would be beaten to such a high degree that it would become unrecognizable. It is also important to recall that Isaiah 50:5-7 establishes the foundation for the suffering Messiah who would set his face (visage) like a flint. There is therefore a direct connection between Isaiah 50:5-7 and Isaiah 52:14. Both passages reveal the beating and marring of the face of God's righteous servant.

Isaiah 50:5-7 "The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. (6) I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. (7) For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed."

When an individual’s hair is pulled from his cheeks and he sets his face like a flint, it becomes clear that a tremendous amount of blood can be lost. This spilling of blood that takes place will result in the sprinkling of many nations that is indicated in the following verse.

Also, Micah 5:1 (KJV) provides further confirmation that God’s suffering Messiah would set his face like a flint and would have a visage marred more than any man (Isaiah 50:5-7, Isaiah 52:14). Micah 5:1 states:

Micah 5:1 "&ldots;they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek."

The judge of Israel who is stricken with a rod upon the cheek is the Messiah according to Micah 4:1-3. Micah 4:1-3 describes what will take place in the last days and is a messianic passage. Micah shows that God's servant, the Messiah, is the Judge of Israel. Micah 4:1-3 states:

Micah 4:1 "But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. (2)And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (3)And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

The scriptures are clear that the face of God's servant, the Messiah, was going to be spit upon and His beard plucked out (Isaiah 50:5-7). His face was going to be beaten with a rod (Micah 5:1,KJV). The beating was going to be so severe that it would result in His face being unrecognizable (Isaiah 52:14). The question remains, why would God's righteous Servant have to endure such a beating? This is explained in Isaiah chapter 53 where God's Servant becomes the sin bearer of the world.

In Isaiah 52:15, the Hebrew word ‘yazeh’ (a form of the verb ‘nazah’) is used. Throughout the entire Hebrew scriptures, the word ‘yazeh’ is used a total of twenty-four times. It always translates ‘sprinkle’. There is no example in the scriptures when this word ever translates any other way except as ‘sprinkle’. The word is also used in Exodus 29:21, Leviticus 4:6, Leviticus 4:17, Leviticus 5:9, Leviticus 6:27 (twice), Leviticus 8:11, Leviticus 8:30, Leviticus 14:7, Leviticus 14:16, Leviticus 14:27, Leviticus 14:51, Leviticus 16:14 (twice), Leviticus 16:15, Leviticus 16:19, Numbers 8:7, Numbers 19:4, Numbers 19:18, Numbers 19:19, Numbers 19:21, 2Kings 9:33 and Isaiah 63:3.

In every instance in the Torah, this Hebrew word is translated ‘sprinkle’ and is used with respect to the ‘sprinkling’ of blood, water and/or anointing oil for the express purposes of purification and cleansing. During the Day of Atonement, the blood was sprinkled (nazah) on the mercy seat and was used to cleanse Israel of its sin. The scriptures from Leviticus follow:

Leviticus 16:14 "And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. (15)Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat."

Leviticus 16:19 "And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel."

It is also important to note that the translation of the word ‘yazeh’ as ‘sprinkle’ in Isaiah 52:15 makes perfect sense and fits perfectly with the surrounding verses. After all, Isaiah 52:14 stresses that the subject’s visage (face) was "marred more than any man and his form more than the sons of men". Moreover, Isaiah 53:5 states that "he was wounded (pierced) for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities and with his stripes we are healed." Also, in Isaiah chapter 53, a death occurs. Isaiah 53:9 states that "he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death". It is clear that this servant would not only be severely beaten and blood would be shed, but he would die a horrible death.

Though the children of Israel were cleansed by the blood and the death of the offerings of animals as described in Leviticus chapter 16 in Yom Kippur, they will now become cleansed by the blood and death of God’s righteous servant, the Messiah. This describes the new covenant, the new way in which God will remember their sin no more (Jeremiah 31:31-34). According to Isaiah 52:15, the ‘sprinkling’ of blood by this righteous servant will result in the atonement for the sins of the world. So shall he ‘sprinkle’ many nations.

The word sprinkle, nazah, shows the link between Leviticus 16 and Isaiah 53. Isaiah 53 shows how God's righteous Servant will bring the final atonement for sin. The Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 is a type pointing to what the Messiah was going to do. The Messiah would bring the final redemption for mankind as is fully explained in Isaiah 53.

Isaiah 53:1

Isaiah 53:1 "WHO hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?"

It is important to keep in mind that in Isaiah 52:10, Isaiah has already indicated that God was going to show His salvation to the entire world. This would be done through His holy arm. This verse follows:

Isaiah 52:10 "The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God."

However, in Isaiah 53:1, the prophet asks the question with the express purpose of describing how and why this would take place. The ‘report’ referred to in this verse is the report provided not only by Isaiah, but by all of the other prophets as well. When Isaiah writes: "WHO hath believed ‘our’ report", he is not only referring to his report, but to all of the writings in the scriptures, the entire word of God.

After reading Isaiah 53:1, several questions come into mind: First, who or what is the arm of the LORD? Secondly, to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? The scriptures, at times, refer to LORD’S arm as a figurative expression for God providing redemption and salvation for His people, the children of Israel. However, Isaiah 52:10 specifically indicates that not only will God provide salvation for His people but all the ends of the earth will see His salvation. In Hebrew, the word for salvation is ‘yeshua’.

How will God provide this salvation to the entire world? The answer: It is through the Messiah, His righteous servant, by which physical and spiritual redemption will take place.

Part 3 - The arm of the LORD, The Messiah

Isaiah 52:13 refers to God’s servant who is called a righteous servant in Isaiah 53:11. In Isaiah 53:1, he is called ‘the arm of the LORD’ for it is He who will provide salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth (Isaiah 52:10). It is the Messiah who will rule with a rod of iron and judge the nations of the earth. Not only will He judge, but He will be King and priest as well. There are a number of clear connections between the ‘arm of the LORD’ and the Messiah. They are as follows:

1) There are other passages in which Isaiah speaks of ‘the arm of the LORD’, or the ‘LORD’S arm’. One passage begins in Isaiah 59:16 where the prophet Isaiah speaks of the LORD’S arm and likens him to an intercessor. An intercessor is a priest. Zechariah 6:12-13 speaks of the BRANCH, King Messiah, and indicates that he would not only be a King but a priest as well. Psalms 110:4 describes the one on the right hand of Almighty God (Psalms 110:1), who is the Messiah, as a ‘priest forever’ by God’s own personal decree. The applicable scriptures follow:

Isaiah 59:16 "And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him."

Zechariah 6:12-13 "Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne."

Psalms 110:4 (regarding the one at the right hand of Almighty God, Psalms 110:1) "The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."

2) Isaiah 59:16 continues: "therefore his arm brought salvation unto him." Though this verse indicates that the LORD’S arm brought salvation unto him, Zechariah 9:9 indicates that King Messiah, the Branch of David, as ‘having salvation’.

Zechariah 9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." (Matthew 21:5, John 12:12-15)

3) Isaiah 59:17 states: "For he (the LORD'S arm) put on righteousness as a breastplate." Though this verse indicates that the LORD’S arm would put on righteousness as a breastplate, Isaiah 11:5 and Jeremiah 23:5-6 (both about the Messiah) state that He will wear righteousness as a breastplate. The applicable scriptures follow:

Isaiah 11:5 "And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins." 

Jeremiah 23:5-6 "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."

4) Isaiah 59:17-18 continues: "he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke. According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence." Though this verse indicates that the LORD’S arm shall judge the nations, Isaiah 11:4 and Jeremiah 23:5 both state that the Messiah will judge the nations:

Isaiah 11:4 "But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."

Jeremiah 23:5 "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD,