Isa 50:7 | KingComments | STEP | Here we come to the third of the four prophecies about the Servant of the LORD ( ). In the first prophecy (Isaiah 42) we have seen Him as the Chosen One and in the second as the Rejected One (Isaiah 49). In the third we see Him as the dependent Servant, Who is obedient to death, yes, to death on the cross ( ). This is in contrast to the people where no one is obedient, where no one is listening ( ). Now the people are called to follow the example of this perfect Servant and listen to Him. In this section the names “Lord GOD” ( Adonai Yahweh ) are mentioned four times ( ). These names are spoken by the Servant of the LORD. Each time Adonai comes first. The name Adonai refers to exalted authority and ownership. This name is only used when utter respect must be expressed. Here we see how the Lord of glory takes the place of the perfect Servant and calls the LORD Adonai , My Lord and Master. In , the words of Christ Himself describe His testimony as the Sent One. The “Me” in this verse is no other Person than the “Me” in the previous verses. It is Christ Who is one with God and has become Man. No one from the people answered when God called, as it says in , until He comes. Then there is Someone Who listens when God calls. He speaks about His obedience to Him Who sent Him, of His suffering, and of His justification. God speaks to the prophets through special and temporal revelations, through visions and dreams. This is different with the Servant of the LORD. Here He unfolds the secret of His inner life in the days of His stay on earth and the secret source of His service and ways. What He says here breathes the joyful humbleness and humiliation of the true Disciple. He “kept increasing in wisdom” ( ). In the days of the fulfillment of this prophecy He says: “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me” ( ) and: “I speak these things as the Father taught Me” ( ) and: “I speak the things which I have seen with [My] Father” ( ) and: “The Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment [as to] what to say and what to speak” ( ). We read in the Gospels how He sustained the weary one with a word. His words are “gracious words” ( ). We hear them both in His public service ( ) and in the comfort He gives to a widow, to a sick person, to a desperate one and to one threatened by the wind and waves. In the morning, His Father teaches Him about this. The Lord Jesus always listens to the voice of His Father. He begins the day with that ( ) and that is His attitude all day long, He is ”prayer” ( ). He is an example to us in this. It is His joy to be able to say: “He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him” ( ). Only if we pay attention to His voice day by day we can fulfill His will and be able to say with the apostle that “we also have as our ambition … to be pleasing to Him” ( ). This is the key to all service to the Lord. First follow, then be sent. indicates His perfect obedience. He not only listens, but He also obeys. When the Savior’s ears are spoken of, it has to do with the perfect dedication to the will of the Father. The Lord Jesus knows all the suffering that will come upon Him, and yet He goes His way to the cross with unwavering steadfastness, without the slightest form of disobedience. We read of Him that He says to the LORD: “My ears You have opened” ( ; cf. ). This indicates that He became Man in order to be able to obey and to die. Here ( ) we read that the LORD says: “He awakens My ear.” This refers to His life on earth that is also characterized by obedience. Finally, there is also talk of piercing the ear of the Lord Jesus in the picture of the Hebrew slave ( ). This can be seen at the end of His service and life on earth, which is also characterized by obedience. It also indicates that He will be Slave or Servant forever ( ). refers to what people will do with Him ( ; ; ). The prophet describes in striking detail what the Lord Jesus endured as a Servant, especially at the end of His service on earth. He endured it without wavering ( ), because He knows that God will help Him and that He will not be disgraced and not be ashamed ( ). Just as God helped Israel ( ) and Cyrus ( ), so He will also help His unique Servant. Therefore, the Servant has set His “face like flint” which speaks of His perfect perseverance in dependence. He knows that He will not be ashamed, for He surrenders everything to Him Who judges righteously. His example is an exhortation for us to imitate when we are called to endure severe opposition, so that we may steadfastly fulfill the task entrusted to us by the Lord. We can never suffer like Him, but our life and testimony can bear the features that have also been with Him in His life on earth. “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” ( ). But suffering for His sake makes everything glorious and joyful ( ). He looked to the future with joy ( ) and so may we. The Father’s purpose is to give us such confidence in Him and the assurance of His help, that we will be free from any tendency to despair under the weight of difficulties. If we walk the path of obedience, we can always be sure of help in this moment and of deliverance and victory in His time and manner.

‏ Isaiah 50:7

The Obedient Servant

Here we come to the third of the four prophecies about the Servant of the LORD (Isa 50:4-9). In the first prophecy (Isaiah 42) we have seen Him as the Chosen One and in the second as the Rejected One (Isaiah 49). In the third we see Him as the dependent Servant, Who is obedient to death, yes, to death on the cross (Phil 2:7-8). This is in contrast to the people where no one is obedient, where no one is listening (Isa 50:2). Now the people are called to follow the example of this perfect Servant and listen to Him.

In this section the names “Lord GOD” (Adonai Yahweh) are mentioned four times (Isa 50:4 ; 5 ; 7 ; 9). These names are spoken by the Servant of the LORD. Each time Adonai comes first. The name Adonai refers to exalted authority and ownership. This name is only used when utter respect must be expressed. Here we see how the Lord of glory takes the place of the perfect Servant and calls the LORD Adonai, My Lord and Master.

In Isa 50:4, the words of Christ Himself describe His testimony as the Sent One. The “Me” in this verse is no other Person than the “Me” in the previous verses. It is Christ Who is one with God and has become Man. No one from the people answered when God called, as it says in Isa 50:2, until He comes. Then there is Someone Who listens when God calls. He speaks about His obedience to Him Who sent Him, of His suffering, and of His justification.

God speaks to the prophets through special and temporal revelations, through visions and dreams. This is different with the Servant of the LORD. Here He unfolds the secret of His inner life in the days of His stay on earth and the secret source of His service and ways. What He says here breathes the joyful humbleness and humiliation of the true Disciple.

He “kept increasing in wisdom” (Lk 2:52). In the days of the fulfillment of this prophecy He says:

“My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me” (Jn 7:16) and:

“I speak these things as the Father taught Me” (Jn 8:28) and:

“I speak the things which I have seen with [My] Father” (Jn 8:38) and:

“The Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment [as to] what to say and what to speak” (Jn 12:49 ; Jn 14:10 ; 24).

We read in the Gospels how He sustained the weary one with a word. His words are “gracious words” (Lk 4:22). We hear them both in His public service (Mt 11:28) and in the comfort He gives to a widow, to a sick person, to a desperate one and to one threatened by the wind and waves. In the morning, His Father teaches Him about this.

The Lord Jesus always listens to the voice of His Father. He begins the day with that (Mk 1:35) and that is His attitude all day long, He is ”prayer” (Psa 109:4b). He is an example to us in this. It is His joy to be able to say: “He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him” (Jn 8:29).

Only if we pay attention to His voice day by day we can fulfill His will and be able to say with the apostle that “we also have as our ambition … to be pleasing to Him” (2Cor 5:9). This is the key to all service to the Lord. First follow, then be sent.

Isa 50:5 indicates His perfect obedience. He not only listens, but He also obeys. When the Savior’s ears are spoken of, it has to do with the perfect dedication to the will of the Father. The Lord Jesus knows all the suffering that will come upon Him, and yet He goes His way to the cross with unwavering steadfastness, without the slightest form of disobedience.

We read of Him that He says to the LORD: “My ears You have opened” (Psa 40:6; cf. Heb 10:5). This indicates that He became Man in order to be able to obey and to die. Here (Isa 50:4) we read that the LORD says: “He awakens My ear.” This refers to His life on earth that is also characterized by obedience. Finally, there is also talk of piercing the ear of the Lord Jesus in the picture of the Hebrew slave (Exo 21:5-6). This can be seen at the end of His service and life on earth, which is also characterized by obedience. It also indicates that He will be Slave or Servant forever (Lk 12:37).

Isa 50:6 refers to what people will do with Him (Mt 26:67 ; Mt 27:30; Mk 15:19; Lk 22:63). The prophet describes in striking detail what the Lord Jesus endured as a Servant, especially at the end of His service on earth. He endured it without wavering (Lk 9:51), because He knows that God will help Him and that He will not be disgraced and not be ashamed (Isa 50:7). Just as God helped Israel (Isa 43:2 ; 5 ; Isa 44:2) and Cyrus (Isa 45:1 ; 5), so He will also help His unique Servant. Therefore, the Servant has set His “face like flint” which speaks of His perfect perseverance in dependence. He knows that He will not be ashamed, for He surrenders everything to Him Who judges righteously.

His example is an exhortation for us to imitate when we are called to endure severe opposition, so that we may steadfastly fulfill the task entrusted to us by the Lord. We can never suffer like Him, but our life and testimony can bear the features that have also been with Him in His life on earth.

“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). But suffering for His sake makes everything glorious and joyful (1Pet 4:13-14). He looked to the future with joy (Heb 12:2) and so may we. The Father’s purpose is to give us such confidence in Him and the assurance of His help, that we will be free from any tendency to despair under the weight of difficulties. If we walk the path of obedience, we can always be sure of help in this moment and of deliverance and victory in His time and manner.