God’s Servant Must Suffer

Topic: Suffering

Passage: Isaiah 50:1–11

August 16, 2021

Commentary

In this chapter, Israel is exhorted to walk by faith. Israel was rebellious but the prophet pleaded for her to trust in the Lord and not in her own doings (vv. 1-3). God promised to fight for Israel, but Israel sold itself into sin. Israel had caused its own problems. An emphasis is made on the Lord’s unbreakable commitment of “spiritual marriage” to His people, Israel. The question is asked, “Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement?” The answer implied is that there is none. God never actually divorced Judah. Even though they had sold themselves into sin, God’s love for them is still faithful. The people of Israel forgot God and trusted in other countries to help them. God did not reject Israel but Israel rejected God.

Isaiah also pictures Israel’s exile as being like sons sold into servanthood because of a great debt. The servant is speaking, for he addresses God as the Sovereign Lord (vv. 4-6). As the Lord taught the servant daily how to comfort the weary (v. 4), the servant did not rebel against that instruction (v. 5). In fact, He even gave His body to those who persecuted Him (v. 6).

The Servant was convinced that He will be vindicated by the sovereign Lord (vv. 7-9). Isaiah exhorts the Servant’s followers to walk by faith, trusting in the Lord (vv. 10-11). If we walk by our own light and reject God’s we become self-sufficient, and the result will be torment. When we place confidence in our own intelligence, appearance or accomplishments instead of in God, we risk torment later when these strengths fade. In spite of the great suffering that lies ahead, the Servant will not turn back because He has set His face like a flint (v. 7) toward this goal (Lk. 9:51).

Application

Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. often said, “Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light.” I may find myself in darkness; but there is no need to panic, for He will bring me the light I need at just the right time.

Isaiah 50:1– 11 (NET)

¹ This is what the Lord says: “Where is your mother’s divorce certificate by which I divorced her? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold because of your sins; because of your rebellious acts I divorced your mother.

² Why does no one challenge me when I come? Why does no one respond when I call? Is my hand too weak to deliver you? Do I lack the power to rescue you? Look, with a mere shout I can dry up the sea; I can turn streams into a desert, so the fish rot away and die from lack of water.

³ I can clothe the sky in darkness; I can cover it with sackcloth.”

⁴ The Sovereign Lord has given me the capacity to be his spokesman, so that I know how to help the weary. He wakes me up every morning; he makes me alert so I can listen attentively as disciples do.

⁵ The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me clearly; I have not rebelled, I have not turned back.

⁶ I offered my back to those who attacked, my jaws to those who tore out my beard; I did not hide my face from insults and spitting.

⁷ But the Sovereign Lord helps me, so I am not humiliated. For that reason I am steadfastly resolved; I know I will not be put to shame.

⁸ The one who vindicates me is close by. Who dares to argue with me? Let us confront each other! Who is my accuser? Let him challenge me!

⁹ Look, the Sovereign Lord helps me. Who dares to condemn me? Look, all of them will wear out like clothes; a moth will eat away at them.

¹⁰ Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys his servant? Whoever walks in deep darkness, without light, should trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.

¹¹ Look, all of you who start a fire and who equip yourselves with flaming arrows, walk in the light of the fire you started and among the flaming arrows you ignited! This is what you will receive from me: you will lie down in a place of pain.