Isaiah 53

The prophecy under consideration in Isaiah 53 actually begins with Isaiah 52 verse 13.The passage begins with the phrase, “Behold, my Servant will prosper...”

This servant of whom the text speaks is no one else but Jesus who is the fulfilment of the Prophecies that are about to be referenced in the remainder of Isaiah 52 and Isaiah 53.

The Jewish Perspective

This Chapter is a lament. It is a prophecy of Jesus, the suffering servant. It is the confession of the Jewish people who have rejected Jesus.

The Jews since the New Testament are profoundly disturbed by this chapter. So much so that in many of their synagogues it is not read in the nor marl reading of scripture. Those who do read it have decide that the suffering servant is not Jesus but Israel. Israel is the righteous sufferer, who will be one day rewarded for their righteous suffering by being blessed and becoming a blessing to the world. That’s how the Rabbi’s view it, because they don't want the righteous sufferer to be Jesus and they have to find an explanation of why they Jews have suffered so brutally for so long and they don't want their suffering to be in vain. They view this scripture as a tribute to why they have suffered and why God will bless them and through them bless the world. But they don't seel reality

This is not Israel, they are not the righteous sufferer. They need someon to die for their sins. They want a king to deliver them fro their suffering but not from their sins. They have been the unrighteous sufferer from rejecting Jesus as the ir Messiah and they are suffereing for it even now. and they will continue to suffer fofr the rejection of Christ until they as a nation turn to him.

The Servant of The Lord

The Servant of the Lord—is an individual who carries out the will of God and is totally subservient to his divine master. (Whisch Israel never proved to be, they were not totally surendered to God)

Here is the background for this idea. According to the old testament, an Israelite who fell into debt or lost his land could indenture (relating to an official agreement that someone will work for someone else for a length of time) himself as a servant to a fellow Israelite. However, after six years (year of jubilee), he would be released and could buy back his land if possible. Some Israelites actually chose not to leave their service but to further indenture (relating to an official agreement that someone will work for someone else for a length of time) themselves to their master. A special earring was placed in the ear of the servants to indicate that they now served their master voluntarily.

Usually, they did this out of gratitude, because they were treated so well during the six years of being indentured to their master.

This helps frame our understanding of the word “servant.”The image is that of individuals who willingly serve their master out of love, gratitude and even out of a sense of debt. They have forsaken their own dreams and vision for their lives and submitted themselves to the will of a benevolent master.

Jesus was the suffering servant, who willingly gave Himself as a slave to the will of the Father.

I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day

John 14

Not my will but yours be done (Slave Talk)

THE SACRIFICE OF THE SERVANT

One of the most difficult concepts to grasp is how the death of someone who lived more than 2,000 years ago impacts individuals today.

The principle of death leading to life occurs regularly in nature. There are many illustrations from nature that point to the necessary death of one thing in order to give life to another. When a seed is planted, it dies in order for a beautiful flower to come into being.

Jesus Himself used a farming illustration when He spoke about a seed that falls into the ground and dies in order to produce new and greater fruit (John 12:23-26).

John 12:23–26 “And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”

Illustration

We see this principle in the course of human relationships as well. In fact, those willing to sacrifice their own concerns, dreams, careers and finances for the good of others are people we usually admire.

When we hear about a soldier who takes a bullet for another, or covers a land mine with his own body to save someone else’s life,we understand that this depth of sacrifice—sacrifice to the point of death—enables others to live.

We also admire immigrants who leave their countries to go to another place to benefit their descendants. This is a very Jewish story, as many Eastern European immigrants came to the United States years ago to provide a better tomorrow for their children. Many brilliant students come to the United States from overseas to improve themselves for the sake of their families and nations,enduring the sacrifice of separation from family and friends.

We all admire a self-sacrificial leader. Though we understand that leadership has its rewards—financially, in increased status, power and influence—we generally admire leaders who work diligently for the benefit of their coworkers and subordinates. We are impressed with a leader who does not take all the perks, stock options or other benefits to which he or she might be entitled, but rather seeks the good of the company and of the people in it.

Historically, leaders who “go without” and sacrifice themselves for the good of others are far more admired than those who hoard wealth for themselves. Warren Buffet is a good example of a business leader who is known for humility and disciplined self-sacrifice. There are many examples in the religious, political and academic realms as well. As for selfish leaders, we may fear them but we do not admire them.

When we speak about the sacrifice of Jesus, we are speaking about another great leader who was willing to sacrifice Himself for the betterment of those He cared for and served.

The text of Isaiah chapter 53 introduces us to a Servant of the Lord who is not admired for His charismatic personality,good looks, popularity or great wealth:

Isaiah 53:2 “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, And as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; And when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.”

Rather, the person described by the prophet is depicted as marginalized by society and misunderstood.

He was despised, and forsaken of men, a man of pains, and acquainted with disease, and as one from whom men hide their face: he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isaiah 53:3)

Yet the Servant exemplifies an extraordinary altruism, and willingly suffers for the benefit of those who reject Him and treat Him poorly. This person is willing to part with His limited worldly possessions,good health,reputation and self-respect for the sake of those who are undeserving and ungrateful.

A root out of A Dry Ground

Isaiah 53 is one of the most profound messianic prophecies because of its list of details that were unquestionably fulfilled in Jesus Christ. One of those details is found in verse 2: “He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.”

Isaiah uses the metaphor “a root out of dry ground” to emphasize the unfavorable conditions in which the Messiah would appear and the lack of physical attractiveness He would possess. He would not fit the stereotype of previous Jewish leaders: He was not handsome like David (1 Samuel 16:12) nor tall and imposing like Saul (1 Samuel 9:2). A dry root in the barren ground does not appear to have much of a chance; it doesn’t appear to have life in it at all. However, God can make a dormant bulb produce incredible beauty. That is the point Isaiah is making when he compares the coming Messiah to a root springing out of dry ground.

The Lord came to earth “in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5–8). He did not arrive in a palace or make His appearance among the religious elite. He came without pomp and circumstance; rather, His coming was like the slow growth of an overlooked plant. God sent His Son to a peasant woman (Luke 1—2) in a region of Galilee that was not known for producing greatness (John 1:46). The Son took on the form of a common man in order to identify with us in our weakness (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus was largely overlooked by His own people (John 1:11–12), as disregarded as a root out of dry ground. Even when He began His teaching ministry, those who heard Him were perplexed because He was thought to be only the “carpenter’s son” (Matthew 13:55).

The Jewish nation anticipated a Messiah who would display God’s glory, rally the people, and, by demonstrating of His power, lead them to magnificent victory over the Romans to usher in an age of prosperity and peace. But that’s not what they got. To borrow from Isaiah’s metaphor, the Messiah did not come like a luxurious, well-watered plant, springing from rich and fertile soil; rather, He came like a scrubby, withering plant struggling up from the arid desert sands. Their expectations went unmet. Once they saw Him face to face, the Messiah seemed to them rather stunted and fruitless.

Jesus had not come to be honored and to set up the kingdom. Jesus came to be humbled and to “give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). He had to take care of the sin problem before He could bring people into the kingdom. His own people rejected Him (John 1:11), yet, like so many roots that appear dead and useless, Jesus had life within Him (John 11:25), and He brought new life to everyone who believed in Him (John 14:6). He provided the kind of life people cannot obtain on their own. The “root out of dry ground” proved to be the most beautiful, most glorious, and most life-giving Root. All who abide in Him bear fruit of their own (John 15:1–8).

Isaiah also writes of the Messiah’s future glory: “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious” (Isaiah 11:10). The root out of dry ground seemed worthless, and they killed Him (Luke 24:20). Yet, when He rose from the dead, He proved that He contained more life than anyone had imagined, and He continues to offer that same life to all who trust in Him (John 3:16–18).

He Bore It For Us

Isaiah 53:4–6“Surely he hath borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

According to Isaiah, the Servant of the Lord somehow bears all the problems and pain we bring upon ourselves that result from living according to our own principles and not God’s.This person takes upon Himself the punishment that would otherwise befall us;He receives the judgment brought on by our moral failures.

Isaiah 53:8 “He was taken from prison and from judgment: And who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: For the transgression of my people was he stricken.”

There is no question that the individual described by the prophet in Isaiah 53 is a Servant hero to men, women, Jews, Gentiles—all humanity!

The chapter teaches that the Servant endured all of the pain, suffering and judgment that you and I should have borne as a result of our ignoring God and living according to our standards and expectations without taking into consideration those of the Creator.

Because He was rejected, we are accepted by God.

Because He was alienated from God, we are drawn near to our heavenly father.

Because He endured the guilt of moral failure, we are forgiven.

Because He experienced intolerable pain, we can be healed.

Because He bore our punishment, we will not be judged.

THE MOTIVATION OF THE SERVANT

Though all of us appreciate and admire sacrifice for the good of others, there is no doubt that the greatest act of heroism is to lay down one’s life for another person. What would move someone to do this?

Love is the motivating force that has driven some to sacrifice their lives for others.

A soldier’s love for country,

a mother’s love for her child and

a leader’s love for his or her community can make them willing to lay down their own lives for the sake of those they love.

Jesus Himself spoke to the issue when He said,

John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

There is no doubt that Jesus fulfills the description found in Isaiah chapter 53 of a self-sacrificing Servant who was willing to lay down all that He had, including His own life, so that others would benefit from His actions. Even if you are not persuaded that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel, His self-sacrificing spirit deserves our admiration.

We might be tempted to be cynical and say to ourselves, “Nothing is worth the price of one’s own life,” but in the depths of our souls, we know that a willingness to die for the greater good is the zenith of self-sacrifice and ennobles all of humanity.

Isaiah’s writings in chapter 53 take the question of noble self-sacrifice to a new level. The Servant of the Lord in this chapter is described as one who would willingly suffer for the sins of others. His suffering would be far more than an example of self-sacrificing altruism;rather, His death would, in fact, be linked to God forgiving sin. In other words, the death of the Servant of the Lord would be viewed as redemptive.

Redemption

Redemption is a term that simply means to be bought out of slavery.The Israelites understood redemption because of the yearly Passover. A lamb, innocent and undeserving of death, was sacrificed so that the firstborn males of the Jewish people could be set free from judgment (redeemed) and the Israelites could leave Egyptian bondage behind for the freedom to be found in the promised land.The meaning of the sacrificial death of the lamb on behalf of the Israelites is perhaps exactly what Isaiah had in mind when he described the death of the Servant on behalf of those who deserved punishment for their sins.

This sacrificial death is described in the following verses in Isaiah 53. Notice the emphasis on the Servant’s death on behalf of the sins of others.

Isaiah 53:8–10 “He was taken from prison and from judgment: And who shall declare his generation? For he was cut off out of the land of the living: For the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, And with the rich in his death; Because he had done no violence, Neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: When thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, He shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”

The Servant of the Lord dies in the place of men and women, Jews and Gentiles who have sinned and offended a holy God; we are the ones who actually deserve the penalty of death and alienation from God. But God promised through the prophet to send His Servant to bear the punishment for all people so that we can all be forgiven, no longer subject to penalties for our sin. In one sense, the death of the Servant is the fulfillment of the Passover!

Sin Barrier Taken Away

Isaiah 53 is a prophecy of how God would take away the “sin barrier” between Himself and humankind in order to initiate the intimate and personal relationship that He created us to enjoy. How can you have a personal relationship with anyone—mother, father, child, spouse, friend—when there are offenses between you and your beloved? To renew a relationship you must remove the offenses. In the case of man and God, what has created the distance between us is our sin, and until we are forgiven, we will never have the close personal relationship with God that He always intended for us to have. Through the suffering and death of the Servant of the Lord, God Himself acted on our behalf to remove the barrier.

Through you shall all nations be blessed- so for the Jewish people, so for us today in the church!

We are to be the conduit of blessing to the world.