By Eugene Garner

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 42

MESSIAH, THE ELECT SERVANT OF JEHOVAH

    There are four distinct servant-prophecies in the second part of Isaiah that must be understood of the divine-human Messianic Servant - Son of God and Son of David, (42:1-7; 49:1-7; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12). The New Testament always applies these passages to Jesus, the Christ, (Matt. 12:17-20). Prophet, Priest, Teacher, Guide and Deliver; the Servant is as closely associated with Israel as the Christ with His church, (Mk. 8:34). And the call of Israel was as clearly to a missionary-task as that of the church. Only through identification with Him, in suffering and service, could she really be His people!

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

    1. Attention is immediately focused upon "Christ" - the anointed Servant of Jehovah: "Behold my servant!" (Matt. 12:18-21; Isa. 49:5-6; 52:13-53:11).
      a. He is divinely chosen, called, sustained, anointed and equipped for His servant-task, (I Pet. 2:4, 6); His servant-character has been assumed for the fulfillment of His Father's will on earth, (Phil. 2:7; Psa. 40:7-10).
      b. His perfect obedience is such as delights the heart of His Father-God, (Matt. 3:16; 17:5; Jn. 3:34-35; Phil. 2:8-11).
        1) Vine suggests that the Father's delight was demonstrated through the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Him at the time of His baptism, in fulfillment of this prophecy, (Matt. 3:16; Mk. 1:10; Lk. 3:22; Jn. 1:32-33).
        2) Isaiah makes three great declarations concerning the Holy Spirit in connection with the Christ: one concerning His incarnation (11:2), this one with reference to the divine approval of His baptismal purpose (42:1); the third concerning the anointing for His public ministry (61:1).
      c. He will bring forth judgment (justice) to the Gentiles (nations), who will bow before His excellent majesty, honor Him, and serve Him with gladness, (2:3-4; etc.).
    Though Isaiah dearly loves His own nation, and rejoices in her high calling, he does not (like the nationalistic Jonah) despise the Gentiles. With the yearning of a missionary-heart, he reaches out to them in love. He knows that the love of God is not limited to the Jews and that He purposes to provide salvation for the Gentiles also. Though it was hidden from his eyes, he would surely have rejoiced in the mystery, later revealed to Paul, of God's purpose to make of Jew and Gentile ONE "in Christ Jesus" - reconciling the two and uniting them in one body which is His church, (Eph. 2:11-22; 3:1-10; 1:23).
    2. Instead of noisy demonstrations, designed to call attention to Himself, the Messianic method toward His people will be one of gentle and loving tenderness, (vs. 2; 61:1-3; Psalm 147:3).
    3. Israel is likened to "a bruised reed", which He will not break, and to dimly burning flax, which He will not quench, (vs. 3; 57:15).
    4. Gentle, merciful, patient and persevering: the Servant will not fail (burn dimly), or be discouraged (bruised, broken, or turned aside from His task), II Cor. 1:3, 4.
      a. He will establish righteous judgment on the earth, (Psa. 72:2,4; 96:13); "the isles (far off nations) wait for His law", (vs. 4, 10, 12; 49:1; 51:5; 60:9; 66:19).
      b. "Judgment" (vs. 4) suggests "the governing power of Christ", Psa. 76:9; 94:16; thus, the King (judge) of Israel shall "rule" in righteousness, (32:1; 9:6-7; 11:4-5; Jer. 23:5; 33:15-16; Lk. 1:30-33).

   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; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

    1. By this time it is surely evident, to every serious student of the word, that "the LORD" (Jehovah) is a designation of the covenant-God of Israel, and is a term used of both the Father and the Son, (vs. 6; Jn. 12:41).
      a. God the LORD applies to Himself titles of eternal omnipotence.
      b. He is the Creator (Arranger) of the heavens, the earth and all things therein, (vs. 5a; 45:18; Psa. 102:25-27; Isa. 40:22; Psa. 104:2; 24:1-2; 136:6).
      c. He is the Giver and Sustainer of all life, (vs. 5b; 57:16; Dan. 5:23; Jn. 1:4; Acts 17:25).
      d. The very nature of His being is set forth as a basis of assurance that His promises, and the revelation of His purposes will never fall!
    2. Beginning with verse 6, the Lord (Father) addresses and assures the Servant (His Son) Whom He has called in righteousness, (comp. 41:2; Jer. 23:5-6).
      a. He will "hold His hand" (suggesting nearness and companionship, 41:13; 45:1), and "Keep" Him - justifying His perfect trust, (26:3; 27:3).
      b. A two-fold task is set before Him, (vs. 7).
        1) He will be the means of restoring His people (Israel) to covenant fellowship with God - a position which they forfeited through the disobedience of their wretched unbelief, (49:6-8).
        2) He will also be a source of "light to the Gentiles" - the very "Light of the World"! (51:4; 60:1-3; Lk. 2:32; Acts 13:46-47; 26:22-23; comp. Matt. 5:14-16).
      c. To both He will bring liberation and life.
        1) From the darkness of spiritual blindness, unto the light of truth.
        2) From bondage to self, sin and the world, unto the glorious liberty of divine sonship.
        3) But, primarily, the passage depicts deliverance from death and the grave through resurrection.
    3. He Whose name is "Jehovah" (the LORD) will not give His glory to another, (vs. 8; 48:11; Ex. 20:3-5).
      a. In the Servant-Son dwells "the fullness of the Godhead bodily", (Col. 1:19; 2:9).
      b. He comes as the "express image" of the Father's person to scatter His glory abroad, (Heb. 1:3).
    4. Nor will the Lord permit graven images to share the praise that is due His matchless name; yet, He will share all His glorious fullness with those who, through identification with His dear Son, lose their lives in the joy of His service, (Jn. 1:14, 16; Eph. 1:5-6, 17-23; 1 Cor. 1:9; Rom. 8:14-18; cf. Zeph. 3:19-20).
    5. The Lord's purpose will not fail, (vs. 9).
      a. The things He promised in former times have been fulfilled, (Josh. 21:45; 23:14; I Kings 8:56).
      b. There need be no surprises for the trusting Servant - though He is totally dependent on the Father, (Jn. 5:19, 30); He is given assurance that "before they spring forth I tell you of them."
      c. It must be understood that the trials of the Messianic Servant were very real; He (temporarily, and voluntarily) laid aside many of His divine prerogatives, that He might take our place and purchase our redemption! (Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 5:7-9; 4:15-16).

   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. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands. 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. 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. 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.

    1. In verses 10-12 the whole earth is called upon to sing forth the worthy praise of Jehovah, the true and living God!
      a. Surely this is a song of millennial blessedness!
      b. There must be a special reason for specific reference to Kedar, Petra and the desert of Arabia, (vs. 11; see notes on 63:1-6); Rev. 12:14, 15.
    2. The background for this outburst of praise is the Lord's arising for a battle wherein He will subdue proud and lofty kingdoms to His own sovereign rule.
      a. Like a mighty man of war - His jealousy stirred up, and His hand outstretched - He will cry, roar and prevail against His enemies, (vs. 13; Jer. 25:31-33; Zeph. 3:8; Zech. 14:3; Joel 3:9-21; Rev. 19:11-21; comp. Ex. 14:13-14, 23-31).
      b. For a long time His judgment has been suspended.
        1) In patient stillness and silence He has refrained from striking out at sinners - holding His peace, (II Pet. 3:9).
        2) But a righteous God cannot forever permit sin to run its course; He must act; sin must be judged; rebellion must be ended!
        3) Thus, Isaiah focuses attention on the hour of judgment.
      c. In startling language, God is pictured as crying out, as a woman in travail - impatient to perfect the new thing He has purposed in the earth!
        1) Judgment is necessary, and it will be executed faithfully, (ch. 34; 66:24; 63:1-6; etc.).
        2) But, beyond that, is a new creation - the rejuvenation of the natural world, (35:1-2; 41:19; 55:13; 60:13).
        3) Characterized by long life and peace (65:20-23), the end of warfare in nature (65:25), and the restoration of fellowship with God (65:24), the divine rule will be re-established.
        4) In this ultimate triumph (divinely purposed from the beginning, and toward which human history has ever progressed) the people of God will realize the fullness of redemption!
    3. Verses 16-17 describe the Lord's redemption of His own people (Israel) - not for anything they have done, but for His own name's sake, (43:25; 48:9-11; Ezek. 20:44).
      a. They have been so blind that they knew now where they were going, (30:18-21; Jer. 31:9; Lk. 1:78-79; comp. Matt. 15:14).
      b. But He does not utterly forsake them, (vs. 16; 41:17; Josh. 1:5; Psa. 94:14; Heb. 13:5).
      c. When He has brought them back, they will be ashamed of the graven images to which they have said: "Ye are our gods", (vs. 17; 1:29; 44:9-11).

   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. The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. 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. 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.

    1. The deaf are commanded to "hear"; the blind to "look" that they may see what God is doing, (vs. 18).
    2. The "servant" now in view (vs. 19-22) is Israel - the nation that refused the mission to which they were appointed, because they were too preoccupied with their own narrow interests.
      a. Considering the high privileges Israel has enjoyed, in covenant-fellowship with her Maker, the blindness of the heathen is nothing compared to hers.
      b. Israel was called to be God's messenger to the nations, and was divinely equipped for that high and holy mission.
      c. But, she was not alert to her opportunities, and refused to heed the commandment of her God, (vs. 20).
      d. Thus, it pleased the Lord to magnify His word (upholding its honor) in delivering up His rebellious people to disciplinary judgment; they became captives, exiles and prisoners - with no one to plead for their restoration, (vs. 21-22).
      e. Though verse 22 may have immediate reference to the Babylonian captivity, the ultimate imprisonment, from which deliverance must come before the fullness of life may be experienced, is that of death; deliverance means resurrection and restoration, (49:24; Psa. 79:1-5, 9-11); 102:12-13, 16-22; 69:33-36).
    3. Is there anyone in Israel who will pay attention to this prophetic warning, so as to conform his heart, his will and his way to God's order? (vs. 23). Let it be remembered that this was written BEFORE the Babylonian captivity!
    4. Israel must understand that Jehovah Himself has turned them over to robbers, for a spoil; it is because of their SIN - the disobedience of their faithless hearts!
    5. But Israel is stubborn; the visitation of divine judgment has taught her nothing!
      a. She refused to admit the reality of her transgressions.
      b. Though burned by the fire of divine vengeance, she "laid it not to heart"!
      c. No wonder her desolation has been so prolonged! and that she still has not been restored to the bond of fellowship from which she fell through her willful rebellion!