Isaiah 42:1-25
Q.1. How do we know that God’s Servant is the Messiah? How could Jesus also apply these Scriptures to John the Baptizer? When will this prophecy be fulfilled? – (Isa.42:1-4 c.f. Mt.11:1-10; 12:15-21)
Isaiah described the ministry of Messiah as “Servant of the Lord” throughout his Book (Isa.42:1 c.f. Isa.49:5-7; 52:13-53:12). Isaiah saw two great mountaintops of the prophetic future, but he was unable to distinguish between the events of the first and second comings of Christ. It is clear that Jesus applied these Scriptures to Himself (Isa.42:7 c.f. Mt.11:1-6), and also to John the Baptizer (Mt.11:7-12). John, as the forerunner of Christ, as well as all Jesus’ followers, are to be servants, just as was Christ Himself (Isa.42:1 c.f. Mt.20:26-28). Isaiah also saw further still to the establishment of Christ’s kingdom after His second coming – He will bring justice to the nations … He will not be disheartened or crushed until He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law (Isa.42:2 c.f. Isa.9:6-7; 11:1-9).
Q.2. What plans did God have for His Servant? How would He be recognisable? How great is the One Who gave this prophecy? How far will His glory and praise extend? – (Isa.42:5-13)
God presented Himself as supreme Lord over all – … Who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it (isa.42:5). He then declared about His Servant – I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, and I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations (Isa.42:6 c.f. Isa.42:1; Jer.31:31-34; Heb.8:6-13). Through the atoning work of Jesus, we have a vastly superior and more permanent covenant. Firstly, His ministry was described, in order that He could be recognised – To open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison (Isa.42:7 c.f. Mt.12:15-21). Not only is God’s glory on display in creation, but also because He can declare the end before the beginning – Behold, the former things have come to pass, now I declare new things; Before they spring forth, I proclaim them to you (Isa.42:9). His praise will extend throughout the earth – Sing to the Lord a new song, sing His praise from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it. You islands, and those who dwell on them … Let them give glory to the Lord and declare His praise in the coastlands (Isa.42:10 & 12).
Q.3. Why was God opposed to His people? How would they treat His Servant? Would His people learn from their chastisement? How could they be so blind? – (Isa.42:14-25 c.f. 2 Cor.4:3-4)
The message then returned to the rebellious nation. God had restrained His hand, but then – they will be turned back and be utterly put to shame, who trust in idols, who say to molten images, “You are our gods.” (Isa.42:17 c.f. Isa.42:14-16). He had described His people as – 8 … Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend, 9 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth and called from its remotest parts and said to you, `You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you (Isa.41:8-9). He had spoiled them, and – … was pleased for His righteousness’ sake to make the law great and glorious (Isa.42:21). However, God had to conclude that they were deaf to His messengers, and blind to His truth – You have seen many things, but you do not observe them; Your ears are open, but none hears (Isa.42:20 c.f. Isa.42:18-19). Consequently, He asked – 24 Who gave Jacob up for spoil, and Israel to plunderers? Was it not the Lord, against whom we have sinned, and in whose ways, they were not willing to walk, and whose law they did not obey? 25 So He poured out on him the heat of His anger and the fierceness of battle; And it set him aflame all around, yet he did not recognize it; And it burned him, but he paid no attention (Isa.42:24-25). They had strayed so far that they were even unable to discern His hand in the chastening.