Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53:1

Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

But, woe is me! though we bring such certain and happy news of a Messiah into the world, yet, how is the incredulous world, besotted, that it will not believe our report? What blindness hath darkened the eyes of men, that they will not see the mighty power of the Godhead, in this weakness of human flesh?

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; &c.

For, to the eyes of men he shall seem despicable, at the first; and by degrees shall grow up to an acknowledged perfection: he hath no loveliness or glory in his outward appearance.

Isaiah 53:4

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

It is for our sakes, that he has subjected himself to all those griefs and sorrows, which he underwent; that he might sanctify our afflictions to us, and deliver us from greater judgments: yet, our unthankfulness will not acknowledge it, but is ready to cast his sufferings upon his own deservings, as if God had stricken him for his own demerits.

Isaiah 53:5

The chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

He was chastised, to work our peace: he was smitten, that we might be healed.

Isaiah 53:8

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living.

He was indeed arraigned, and adjudged to a shameful and painful death, but that could have no power over him: he was mightily rescued from it, by the power of his Godhead, and now lives for ever; neither shall or can there be any end of his eternal duration, howsoever, for the time, he was cut off from living amongst men.

Isaiah 53:9

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

He was given up into the hand of wicked and violent men, to be by them put to death amongst malefactors; although he had done nothing amiss, neither was any guile found in his mouth.

Isaiah 53:10

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him: he hath put

him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Yet it pleased God the Father to humble him; and, standing in our stead, to hide his face from him; but with an intention of much glory to him; and happiness to his Church: for, when thou, O Lord, shalt cause his life to be offered up for the satisfaction of our sins, he shall, by the efficacy of his blood, raise up a plentiful issue to his Church, and shall be everlastingly glorified, and work happily for the good of his chosen; effecting all that, which God hath determined for the salvation of mankind.

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.

He shall see and feel the happy success of his labours and sufferings, and shall find abundant comfort and satisfaction therein: herein shall many, yea all that belong to God’s election, be justified; in that, this righteous and perfect Saviour is known and apprehended by them; and in that, they are known and accepted of him; for he hath undertaken to satisfy for all their iniquities.

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Therefore, after he hath overcome the sharpness of death, I will honour him with a glorious triumph: wherein he shall, according to the manner of great conquerors, divide the spoil of his enemies; insulting over death, the grave, and hell, because he hath been obedient to the death, yea the death of the cross; and was hanged on the tree of shame and curse, betwixt two malefactors; and upon that cross bore the sin of all those that pertain to him; and, both at his death prayed for his persecutors and tormentors, and at my right hand makes perpetual intercession for his Church.