I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. Isaiah 50:6
7 “For the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. 8 He is near who justifies Me; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me. 9 Surely the Lord God will help Me; Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; The moth will eat them up.
Agent of Salvation
Israel’s Transgression; 50:1-3. Israel’s disobedience has led to her shame, like a woman divorced because of her sins.
The Servant’s Obedience Assures He Will Not Suffer Disgrace: 50:4-9 The ministry of the Servant to sustain the weary is successful because he learns from God (4-5). He is obedient, and does not draw back even though he is mocked, beaten, and spit on (6-7). In his suffering he is fully vindicated by God, whatever men say about him (8-9).
The Servant an Object of Faith; 50:10-11 Trust in the Lord and obedience to the Word of the servant mark the life to which believers are called.
Isaiah 50-52, Chapter Summary
Isaiah 50 contrasts two servants. Here we meet the imperfect servant (Israel), who abandoned relationship with God (50:1-3, 11) and the perfect Servant (Christ) (vv. 4-10). This second Servant is sensitive to man’s needs and responsive to God (vv. 4-5). He suffers, but He relies on the Lord and remains committed to doing God’s will (v. 10). Having introduced the Servant, Isaiah speaks urgently to God’s people. A series of imperatives emphasizes the need to hear and respond (51:1-16). The sense of urgency is maintained as God warns of coming wrath (vv. 17-23). God’s people must awake (52:1-2). God in the past acted to punish (vv. 3-6). He will soon act to save, and the joyous message of salvation will be announced to all (vv. 7-10). The momentous announcement culminates in an even more intense call: Israel is to flee Babylonia and return to a pure and holy life (vv. 11-12). The last verses of the chapter properly beling with Israel 53, for they return to the Servant, the agent of God’s salvation – but this time to describe His sufferings through which we will be redeemed.
Key verse. 52:7: The message makes the messenger beautiful.
Personal application. It’s always urgent to respond to God’s Word.
7 How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
⇒ Servants are agents of salvation. Servants should be obedient to the Master. Servants should serve rather than be served. It’s not easy to acknowledge it being our status in life. The job is available but few want it.
The LORD Helps Those Who Trust in Him
50 1 Thus says the Lord: “Where is the certificate of your mother’s divorce, Whom I have put away? Or which of My creditors is it to whom I have sold you? For your iniquities you have sold yourselves, And for your transgressions your mother has been put away. 2 Why, when I came, was there no man? Why, when I called, was there none to answer? Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Indeed with My rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness; Their fish stink because there is no water, And die of thirst. 3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, And I make sackcloth their covering.”
4 “The Lord God has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. 5 The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away. 6 I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. 7 “For the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. 8 He is near who justifies Me; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me. 9 Surely the Lord God will help Me; Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; The moth will eat them up.
10 “Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord And rely upon his God. 11 Look, all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled– This you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment.
