God’s Servant Must Suffer

Mother Teresea said, “We have drugs for people with diseases like leprosy. But these drugs do not treat the main problem, the disease of being unwanted. That’s what my sisters hope to provide. The sick and poor suffer even more from rejection than material want. Loneli … More

Suffering

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 (English Standard Version)


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