Isaiah 42

Isaiah 42:1

4. Comfort from the Servant of the Lord (Chap. 42)42:1-4 The name “Servant” is applied by Isaiah to the Messiah, to the entire nation of Israel, to the godly remnant of the people (Isa_43:10), and to Cyrus. Usually the context makes clear which one is intended. In verses 1-4 it is clearly the Lord Jesusupheld and chosen by God and endued with the Holy Spirit. He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles, will not be a rabble-rouser, will not crush true penitence or quench a spark of faith, will not fail nor be discouraged till He has established His righteous Kingdom. 42:5-9 God, the mighty Creator, now addresses the Messiah and tells what He proposes to accomplish through this One whom He has called . . . in righteousness. God will not share His glory with another, and least of all with carved images. His past predictions have come to pass, and now He reveals the future once more. 42:10-13 Israel calls on earth’s remotest nations to join in praise to the Messiah as He descends, a mighty . . . man of war, to execute vengeance on His enemies. The mention of Kedar and Sela means that Arab voices will join in the new song. 42:14-17 Jehovah is speaking here. The time of His self-restraint is past; now He will unloose His fury on His foes, He will deal mercifully with the believing remnant of Israel, and He will utterly shame all idolaters. 42:18-22 In verse 19 the servant is no longer the Messiah. It is Israel, deaf and blind to the words and works of Jehovah. “Who is blind as he who is perfect?” may mean perfect as to privilege, or may be translated “Who is blind as him whom I have trusted?” (JND), or, “Who is so blind as he that is at peace with Me?” (NASB). Israel was brought into covenant relationship with the Lord, but did not walk worthy of her high calling. The Lord exalted the law. It was honorable to Him. But Israel despised and disobeyed it, and as a result was given over to robbery, plunder, and prison. 42:23-25 The Prophet Isaiah asks: “Who among you will give ear to this? . . . Who gave Jacob for plunder, and Israel to the robbers? Was it not the LORD, He against whom we have sinned?” God had poured out on Israel the fury of His anger and the fire of battle, but no one seemed to discern the significance of His chastisement or take it to heart.