Isaiah 42:1-9

These last couple chptrs, God begun words of comfort.  Words that would encourage them during time Babylonian captivity.  Prophecy can always encourage us in that God sovereign even when life seems hopeless.   3 Groups this chapter: Servant, Saved, Stubborn…

 

42:1     15X used in Isa (Israel, Isa, Eliakim, David), but this time unique.  This Servant a very specific task.  “Behold!  Pay attention!” 

 

Vs. 4    The “to do” list for this Servant (from bottom). 

1)                  Establish justice in EARTH! For everyone!  Who?  Isa 9:6-7  Only one possible Man.  His title amazes me.  Servant! 

2)                  Lord tells us, no matter how hard, no matter how impossible, the Servant of Lord refuses to become despondent or discouraged.  Where did find joy, when family thought “crazy”?  Hometown tried to kill?  Cousin murdered?  Publicly shamed at cross?  In His title!  “I am the Servant of the Lord…”  How you battle discouragement?  Col 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.  The servant of Lord must always remember that regardless situation, he is not ultimately serving people, but a faithful Lord.  The author Hebrews Heb. 12:2-3 when being tested and persecuted “fix our eyes on Jesus…who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.”

3)                  Describe reed/flax…2 possible meanings (us or Him).  Regardless, a servant of Lord encourages (puts hand around reed/flax)…Commanded us not to rip out weeds (Mt 13:29), refused to condemn adulterer (Jn 8:11), purposely fanned spiritual flame those who didn’t even seem spiritually alive (Zacheus, Sinners, Tax Collectors).  Or could be in re: to when bloody and beaten, and endured to the end even though could’ve stopped. 

4)                  This one quoted by Mt when conflict arising w/ Phar.  Purposely moved away from conflict and through quietness attempted not inflame.  Not from fear, but because the Servant of the Lord.  Jesus said Mt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers…Ro 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.  Servant of the Lord doesn’t continue in argument, even when right.  Pr 30:33 For as the churning of milk produces butter, And wringing the nose produces blood, So the forcing of wrath produces strife.  Listen to a 1^st hand recollection of what happened that night…when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously (1 Pt 2:23)

5)                  Let me point out, that Servant of Lord’s ministry not just “God’s people”, but ALL people.  Ga 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 

6)                  How can these be possible?  The Servant had the Spirit. Ga 5:16 Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  Rm 8:26 says, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses.. 2Co 3:18 But we all…are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

  Vs. 5  Ever stop to realize how totally dependent are?  Job 12:10, (Belshazzar) Dan 5:23 the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways  We’re borrowing His breath! 

 

Vs. 6    So much!  1^st these words were written to Who?  (An encouragement to JC)  They declare Lord fulfill His calling and purpose. 

2^nd, again mentions “Gentiles”.  JC commanded all nations Paul declared Agrippa I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 'to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'   When tried this in Ac 22:21-22…this word…And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!"  The church even had a hard time.  Remember when Simon came back and angry w/.  Acts 11:1-2  Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.  And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him

3^rd, How about the fact that this Servant shall be a covenant to the people…These next few are for JC alone.  Lk 22:20 This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 

 

Vs. 7a  JC literally heals blind.  (Jn 9:6-7), but primarily about “spiritual” eyes and Phar knew this when they arrogantly said, "Are we blind also?"  Spiritual blindness needs a >miracle than physical blindness, but JC can! 

 

Vs. 7b  A quick rundown of prisons that NT tells us JC delivers us from: 

Life Dominating sin:  Jn 8:33-34 (Peter specifically names one as “bitterness” in Ac 8:23) 

Fear:  Rm 8:15, (specifically concerning death in Hb 2:15)

Corruption in world:  Rm 8:21 (specifically immorality 2 Pt 2:18-19)

Demonic Bondage:  Col 1:13 (specifically health issues Lk 13:16)

Legalism:  Gal 4:24 (specifically from other “Christians” Gal 2:4)

 

Vs. 8    Be careful of taking God’s glory.  JC said that they may see your good works and glorify your Father   Tetragrammaton…

 

Vs. 9    Previous chpt, courtroom scene…Saw, Bible stands alone from ALL religious books.  And not just few prophecies.  In fact, >300 for JC 1^st coming.  Not half as exciting when find out >500 for 2^nd coming! 

 

Vs. 12  Again, don’t lose track that these words for future generation AFTER captivity.  A yet unborn nation.  They about go through terrible time, but God gives glimpse incredible joy coming.  Check out the verbs…Isaiah calls upon ends of earth to sing.

 

Vs. 13  Many places OT re: Lord roaring!   Joel 3:16 The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem…Amos 1:2 The LORD roars from Zion… Hosea 11:10 He will roar like a lion…Jeremiah 25:30 The LORD will roar from on high, And utter His voice from His holy habitation; He will roar mightily against His fold. He will give a shout…  Even in the NT.  1 Thes 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.

 

Vs. 16  I believe special group in mind here.  When comes w/ roar!  Spiritual blindness on Jews end.  Rm 11:25-26 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.  And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob. 

 

Vs. 20  Isa tells Jews they have seen things Lord done and yet they not really cared nor paid attention.  JC said, "in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive;” So blind didn’t see Messiah. 

 

Vs. 25  Isa writes this to a future captive Israel to cause them to consider. God brings “consequences” into our lives to change us.  Heb 12:11  Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.