Isaiah 50:4-9
Summary for Isa 50:4-11: 50:4-11 a This is the third of four servant songs (see study note on 42:1-4). The faithful and suffering servant portrays an ideal Israel; the image was realized in Jesus Christ. 50:4 b The Lord, who never grows weary (40:28 c), sends the servant with good news (see 40:28-31 d) to comfort those who are weary (see study note on 40:1-31).50:6 e beat me ... pulled out my beard ... mockery and spitting: These connections with the experience of Jesus at his crucifixion are too close to be coincidental—Jesus is the true suffering servant (see Matt 27:27-31 f).
50:7 g Externally, the servant would be disgraced and put to shame, but within himself he would calmly await God’s vindication (see 29:22 h; 54:4 i; 61:7 j).
• set my face like a stone: The servant would be determined to do God’s will (see Luke 9:51 k).
50:8 l He who gives me justice is near: God vindicates those who suffer for doing his will. Vindication is an act of God by which he exalts those who have been wrongly disgraced and strikes down the wicked, self-exalted, and arrogant (see also 2 Thes 1:6-9 m).
• bring charges ... my accusers: Confidence in God’s vindication removes fear and bolsters faith (see Rom 8:31-34 n).
50:9 o Who will declare me guilty? The implied answer to this rhetorical question is, “No one!” This answer foreshadows the New Testament understanding of justification (see Rom 8:31-35 p).
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