Hymns: RHC 288 Are You Washed in the Blood? 289 Grace Greater Than Our Sin 295 The Light of the World Is Jesus

Isaiah 42

1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. 5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. 8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. 9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. 10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. 11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice,the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands. 13 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. 14 I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. 15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. 16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. 17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods. 18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. 19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD‘s servant? 20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not. 21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. 22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. 23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? 24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law. 25 Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.

The Deliverer Is Come

OUTLINE

• Behold the Deliverer of His People (v1-9) 
• Let the World Rejoice (v10-25)
  • Let Israel Turn Back to Him (v18-25)

INTRODUCTION

In Isaiah 1-39 was Isaiah’s call for God’s nation to turn back to Him. The Northern Kingdom would in the course of time in Isaiah’s ministry be destroyed by the Assyrians. The Assyrians were God’s instrument of judgment upon His defiant and wayward people.

It was an object lesson that Judah, the South Kingdom who will be next in judgment if they would not turn back to the LORD. Idolatry was the crux of the problem with God’s people. And it caused them to sin against their Creator God. 

Isaiah 36-39 will describe Judah’s escape from the Assyrians during the reign of Hezekiah. An angel will be sent to destroy 185,000 strong army of Assyrians that surrounded the city of Jerusalem (Isaiah 37:36-37).

After Hezekiah, the kingdom of Judah will deteriorate in great apostasy. God will raise the Babylonians to judge His people. History of the Southern Kingdom in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles have told us that the Southern Kingdom will be destroyed in 586 B.C. by the Babylonians.

Isaiah 40-41 gave the encouragement God’s people whom Isaiah predicted will be exiled from the homeland. The prophecy was that God will raise Cyrus to bring His people in captivity back to the land. The word of comfort was given in advance before their exile for them while they will be in exile that God will raise a deliver for Israel to return to the Promised Land. God’s people are to have confidence in God as He assures them of their deliverance.

In Isaiah 42, God will project further to introduce a greater deliverer Messiah Himself who will come to deliver His people from their sins (v1-9) and to rejoice that Messiah is come as a greater Deliverer to all the world from their sins (v10-25) and thus for His people first to turn back to Him (v18-25).

• Behold the Deliverer of His People (v1-9)

1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

In the first portion, the prophet describes the Messiah. The LORD is introduced as speaking, and in (v1-4), He describes His character. He is the servant of the LORD, endowed with the fullness of the Divine Spirit; meek, and lowly, and gentle, and kind; unobtrusive and noiseless in his movements, and yet securing the conquest of truth. [Barnes]

This was fulfilled in Matthew 12:18-22 in the account when Jesus healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath day.

Matthew 12:10-24 (KJV) And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift itout? 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. 15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; 16 And charged them that they should not make him known: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. 19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. 22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

This is a quotation fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 42:1-4 concerning Israel’s Messiah “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.” 

This is a quotation fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 42:1-4 concerning Israel’s Messiah “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.” 

The Apostle Paul tells us that gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

In this world that we live in, we get offended by others and we offend others. This is the fallen nature that dwells within us. Conflicts are started because we cannot stomach the offences done on us we retaliate and respond with greater vengeance. The way we respond to offences or wrongs that is done against us will reveal the state of our heart before God. Do you often guess others’ intention in a negative way, or do you count the wrong others has done to you? Are you willing to forgive and make peace, to be forgiving and forbearing is a fruit of the spirit called “gentleness”? This is only way the church family or the family unit to be united.

In the home between family members how often it is anger, violence, harsh unforgiving words instead of forgiveness and having the willingness to respond patiently to the faults of others as well as their offences against us. This can often lead to families breaking up. There is no forgiveness, each one is irreconcilably offended. 

To be gentle is not to be quiet and submissive and easy going. To be gentle is to be willing to forgive, willing to make peace, most difficult to do. It is against the natural man’s will. To be gentle is not the natural man’s response at all. Remember how Jesus responded to those who crucified Him? “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34a) And Stephen the martyr said Acts 7:60 “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” 

In 1 Corinthians 13:5, love “thinketh no evil”. The word for “thinketh” is the word “to count” that is “keeping a mental record take into account, keep in mind, count (up)” evil that is done on us. [Friberg Analytical Greek Lexicon] This fruit of the spirit called “gentleness” is that part of the character that enables us not to count the offences of others done on us.

How was our Lord’s response to the rage of His enemies? Webster reasoned for us the character of Christ’s gentleness when he said, “The Pharisees, we are told, “held a council against Him how they might destroy Him.” “They were filled with madness”, says Luke. Their rage overbore their reason. They were frantic with indignation. Yet, notwithstanding this, Jesus was gentle. His breast was not perturbed by fear, nor shaken by the surges of revenge. He was not, of course, indifferent, to life. The instinct of self-preservation lived and acted in Him as in all men. Indeed, the fact that He now withdrew from the presence of His infuriated enemies shows that He had that respect for His own preservation, which is common to our kind. “When Jesus knew it” – knew the indignation of his enemies, He retired to the quiet shores of Galilee. He withdrew Himself from thence. He “withdrew” He did not, impelled by fear, flee from them. We never hear of Him, like some of the old saints, “fleeing from His enemies.” He peacefully retired, passed off with the calm serene amidst the friendly and propitious, but which rushes into turbulent excitement in the presence of the adverse. Such gentleness is but the storm sleeping in the stagnant air. True gentleness is that which can look calmly on the face of a frowning multitude and maintains a quiet mastery over the passions amidst the most terrible events. Such was the gentleness of Christ; and in such gentleness I see the highest grade of glory.” 

Indeed, our Lord demonstrated to us the life of a true servant – “Behold my servant”, labouring intensely still in the midst of increasing and fierce opposition. He is our example par excellence for strength of heart in persevering in ministry amidst difficulties. He is indeed the Anointed One – “whom I have chosen; my beloved”, affirms the writer Matthew. The fullness of the Godliness is in Christ with clear demonstration of the Spirit’s fullness filling Him – He was “unostentatious, no cannons roared, no bells pealed to announce His birth. He came in the quiet of morning, before the slumber of the world was broken; nor did His advent break its hush. One might have thought that His birth would have been announced by signals that would have startled the nation with awe. Few babes were ever born in more obscure circumstances – few babes, on entering life, awoke less sensation than He. His public ministry is marked by the same spirit. “He made himself of no reputation.” He appears not in the aspect of a sovereign, but in “the form of a servant”. He descends into the lower parts of the earth, mingles with the lowest grades of society, enters into the sorrows and the trials of the poorest of the poor.”  

Yet, He is the only Saviour of the world. This is the blind spot of Jewry. They missed totally Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the character of the Christ who is Servant. What condescension. We can learn apply the character of His gentleness for the work He entrusted to us in our outreach ministry. 

20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. 21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

The gentleness of our Lord is further demonstrated here. What is the reed? A reed is in itself a frail plant: not like the ash or the oak, of firm and solid structure. But this is a bruised reed, whose vitality has been checked and whose head bows to the earth. So gentle is our Lord, “that He will not injure this delicate frail and life. What is the smoking flax? The smoking flax refers to the flickers of the exhausted oil and wick in its last stage, the softest breath will put it out. He will not hasten the extinction of the dying flame. 

There are men in society, like the broken reed and the flickering lamp – exceedingly frail. This gentleness of our Lord is undergirded by that sacrificial and unconditional love, that “compassion” that characterized His ministry – Matthew 9:36 “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” This was how our Lord ministered in His earthly ministry. It is with such utmost tenderness that He tended to the weak and the frail.   

This is the ministry of our Lord through His forever written Word reaches out to us, with our Lord’s comfort and consolation, as we consider our trials and tribulations. We may be sorely tested, as a bruised reed and smoking flax, this is His mission to restore us. He does not despise us but reaches out to us when we humble ourselves to acknowledge Him and come in contrition and repentance.

The prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled in Jesus Christ as Matthew witnessed the gentleness in the life of our Lord Christ. Indeed, Jesus is the name that will certainly win the trust of the Gentiles, He authenticated His ministry not only by His ability to heal demonstrating His Deity but His gentle approach to people does indeed win their confidence. Indeed, the name of Jesus ought to be the object of our trust. There is no matter too great that He cannot solved, no trouble too small that He will not personally provide us a solution. It behoves us to call upon Him, praise and adore Him for in Him is fullness of love. A servant’s heart, that’s how our Lord ministered. 

…till he send forth judgment unto victory.21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Our Lord not only ministered perfectly among the Jews, but also prevailed among the Gentiles. Indeed, Dickson observed well, “The power of the gospel is able to persuade the greatest strangers and aliens of the commonwealth of Israel to come to Him for it is said “In His name shall the gentiles trust”. And it is as sufficient for faith to have Christ’s name preached as to see His Person.” 

We have encountered in our study, it must cause our faith to be increase and our heart strengthened to know that in Christ is everlasting life, security and confidence. 

5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

The LORD in v5-7, then addresses the Messiah Himself directly, and states the object for which He had appointed Him, to be a light to the Gentiles, to open the eyes of the blind, and to be the pledge of the covenant between him and his people. 

8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. 9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

In v8-9, the LORD turns to the people for whom the prophecy was given, and awakens their attention to the subject, reminds them of the predictions which had been made, and says that the fulfillment of this prophecy, like all former predictions, would demonstrate his superiority over idols, and show that he was the true God. [Barnes]

• Let the World Rejoice (v10-25)
  • Let Israel Turn Back to Him (v18-25)

10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. 11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.

The second part of the chapter Isa. 42:10-25, consists mainly of a call on the world, and especially on the exile Jews, to rejoice in view of the truth here announced. 

In v10-12, the LORD calls on the inhabitants of all the earth to praise and glorify His name, and makes his appeal to those who are upon the sea, to the inhabitants of the isles, to the wilderness and solitary places, to the villages and the inhabitants of the rock, as all having occasion to rejoice on account of this glorious event.

13 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. 14 I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: nowwill I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. 15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. 16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. 17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.

In (v13-17), the LORD speaks particularly of the deliverance of His people and of the certainty of its being accomplished. He had long delayed to interpose; but now He would come forth in His strength, and annihilate His foes and redeem His people, and make darkness light before them, while all the worshippers of idols should be left without defense or aid.

18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see. 19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD‘s servant? 20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not. 21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. 22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. 23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? 24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law. 25 Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.

The people of Israel are new addressed directly, and their character and duty (v18-25). They are addressed as a people blind and deaf, and are admonished to rouse themselves, and to strive to attain to true knowledge. 

Notwithstanding all that God had done for them, and all His gracious interposition, they had hardened their hearts, and shut their eyes, and had steeled themselves against every good impression. 

For this God had punished them. He had given them as a spoil to their enemies, and overwhelmed them in grievous and long-continued calamities. They were now called on to attend to His instructions and promises, and henceforward be an obedient people. [Barnes]