Exposition by Max A Forsythe
This chapter is the first of four songs which Isaiah sings about the coming Servant of the Lord. It is to these very passages that Philip probably turned when he witnessed to the Ethiopian Treasurer centuries later. It is not enough that the prophet calms the fears of the Judeans with news of the coming Cyrus, he goes on centuries later to describe the greater King - our own Lord Jesus who will also be coming. Dr Young suggests that the very title of the Servant here in verse one points to a position of honor and election. Now we are not a generation that appreciates the importance of servants. However, many of our Federal and State aids may well be honored for the position they hold.
It is all very much like my Army position many years ago as Chaplain’s Assistant. I remember once when a young lieutenant got pushy with my not being available on Sundays. When I suggested that he talk to my full bird Colonel with his concern, the problem was quickly solved. The position and honor of the boss’s office was recognized. Of course I always had to be careful not to assume too much authority, yet in vague areas of political one upmanship, he could send me to accomplish things with the NCOs that he might not be able to influence in person. There the influence of his name and position were often of more importance than His immediate presence where his authority might be questioned.
Now if you multiply that example many times over, you begin to get a hint of the honored status of the Servant understood in the context of this passage. But, there is even more in this first verse! We see in the second strophe that God’s Spirit is on Him as well. So in this passage, like the baptism scene in the Gospels, we have all three members of the Trinity, Father, Servant Son and Spirit. In verses two through four Isaiah goes on to describe the character of this coming Servant. In verse two we see that He will not be boisterous. Quietly He will go about the Lord’s business. I remember once hearing about a Baptist minister who walked into an eating place. In a loud voice he announced that everyone should be quiet while he blessed his family's food. Then in voice that could not be ignored he prayed long and hard for his own and any other unblessed food within hearing.
In verse three we find a verse that describes the tender care of the Servant. Just this week I observed many bruised corn stalks that had been weakened by passing wild life . These “reeds” had been bent over, but had bounced back somewhat. Yet in their weakened state they would not be able to stand any further strain. So if I want to pick sweet corn later in the week, I had to be very careful so as not to break the stalk. In the same way, a candle wick that has almost been blown out must be tenderly nurtured to keep its flame. In these examples we may see the kind and tender care of our Master who deals kindly with the weak and bruised people in need of His gentle love and mercy. In verse three we also see that the Servant will demonstrate the faithfulness of the Father. And finally in verse four we see the strength of this coming Servant who will be our King.
In verses five through nine we hear the Lord Himself speak on His servant’s behalf. Verse five identifies the speaker and credits God with all that He has accomplished in creation. In verse six the Lord speaks tenderly to His servant about the Messiah’s calling and holding close to the Father. In the second half of verse six we see laid before us the plan for the New Covenant in Christ. Specifically we read that God will make Him to be a covenant. Heady stuff to be revealed so many centuries before its inception around our Lord’s table the night before His death on the cross.
In verse seven we see the glorious purpose of our Lord and King. “To open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison ... [and release] those who sit in darkness”. Here is our promise long before our time. Our eyes have been opened, and we have been freed from the darkness of the prison house of sin. Verses eight and nine here are special to those whose eyes have been opened. Again the Lord’s Name is revealed and the Speaker carefully defined. This God above all idols will not share His glory but He will share His revelation. Here we see that just as former things have been spoken of so will He announce what will come to be.
In the next eight verses Isaiah responds with a song of Praise to the Lord. Just this week I was listening to a commentator talk about professional jealousy aimed at the singer who wrote the pop hit I Write the Songs. Other authors were upset that he should make such a claim. Barry Manilow couldn’t understand the outrage. How much more does the world take offense at the exclusive claims of our Father and Son. “I am the way”, Jesus says, “No man comes to the Father except through Me”. Well does He deserve the praise of this song and every new song sung to Him. Even though much of the world will refuse to sing. As an older Hymn goes, “let those refuse to sing who never knew our God”. These are mentioned briefly in verse seventeen.
In the first half of this song, the elect of all the world are called to sing praise and give glory to the Lord. In the second half the Lord responds with His encouragement to lead them out by means of a second Moses. There will also be a complete and profound change in the elements of nature. Then He declares that He will lead the blind from darkness into light. Finally at the end of verse sixteen the Lord affirms that He will do these things and that He will not forsake His own people.
In our last section of this chapter, Isaiah addresses the people of Israel. Notice the irony of the address! God has just spoken about rescuing the blind. Now Isaiah applies God’s words directly to God’s covenant people. How often do these word’s apply to ourselves? The purpose of the opening questions in this section is to demonstrate that Israel, the former servant is blind and deaf. When compared to the blindness of the elect, the blindness of the other nations is nothing indeed. The true servant should not be blind, but Israel is blind. How can the blind lead the blind runs the old proverb.
Look at the charge in verse twenty followed by the sentence in verses twenty-one to twenty-two. In verse twenty-three the people are asked who will listen or pay attention? Is there anyone listening he wonders.? In the next verse another question is asked “Who handed [you] over to become loot” and to be plundered? The Lord Himself will do this because of Israel’s sin. Who can see this in any time and place? Is there not a progressive intensity in the sins of people in our own day and age?
Is there not a corresponding increase in natural disasters and possibilities for economic and political instability as well? Very many residents of Jerusalem perished or were torn away in the Babylonian captivity to come in the future. Very many did not understand what was happening to them, tragically they missed the whole point! If you think this incomprehensible, just try speaking today about the Lord acting in judgment. Not many people will pay attention, will you? May we be blessed with open eyes and ears to hear these serious words of our Lord and our God. And let us be careful to hear the words of His only Son so that we might carefully obey Him and give Jesus the praise and honor of our heartfelt songs even as Isaiah looked forward to His coming. Amen.
Resources Used:
Ellis, Charles..
The Wells of Salvation.
Thomas, Derek..
Welwyn Commentary Series: God Delivers.
Young, Edward J.
The Book of Isaiah.
The Holy Bible.
New International Version (1984 Edition)
NOTE: I am not able to automatically
recommend any future editions.
Christ Covenant Reformed (Presbyterian Church in America) -
Box 13926 - Columbus, OH 43213
(c) 2001
21 August 1994
Permission granted to redistribute unedited versions with this notice.