Isaiah 42

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.

5 Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: 6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. 9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

10 Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it, the coastlands and their inhabitants. 11 Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits; let the habitants of Sela sing for joy, let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory to the Lord, and declare his praise in the coastlands. 13 The Lord goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes. 14 For a long time I have held my peace; I have kept still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labor; I will gasp and pant. 15 I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn the rivers into islands, and dry up the pools. 16 And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. 17 They are turned back and utterly put to shame, who trust in carved idols, who say to metal images, “You are our gods.”

18 Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see! 19 Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as my dedicated one, or blind as the servant of the Lord? 20 He sees many things, but does not observe them; his ears are open, but he does not hear. 21 The Lord was pleased, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify his law and make it glorious. 22 But this is a people plundered and looted; they are all of them trapped in holes and hidden in prisons; they have become plunder with none to rescue, spoil with none to say, “Restore!” 23 Who among you will give ear to this, will attend and listen for the time to come? 24 Who gave up Jacob to the looter, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the Lord, against whom we have sinned, in whose ways they would not walk, and whose law they would not obey? 25 So he poured on him the heat of his anger and the might of battle; it set him on fire all around, but he did not understand; it burned him up, but he did not take it to heart.

Sermon Text:

[Read Isaiah 42]

From the beginning of the book of Isaiah, and particularly the middle chapters, we have seen the prophecies of the judgment of the one true God, the Holy One, the Sovereign Lord.

But we have come now in this book into a new section, often called the “Servant Songs” because they are direct prophecies of the promised Servant of the Lord, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

This chapter, 42, reads very much like the gospels of the New Testament in the things it promises about the Messiah.

Things that are ALL fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

I didn’t count, but you will recognize references and quotations from this chapter all over the New Testament.

This morning, then, I would like to run through this chapter survey-style, mentioning the most important promises about Jesus we find here.

I do hope to finish the chapter today by making only a few explanatory notes for each of the points.

And if you take notes, or would like to take notes this morning, I will tell you at the start I plan to mention the 14 things about the Messiah we see in this chapter.

Don’t worry – I think we will only have time for half of them this week – I will continue them next week, God willing.

But we will still move through these quickly.

1. V. 1 – The Messiah chosen by God will please God in bringing all the nations of the world to Him – both Jews and Gentiles.

I cheated a bit on this first one. This is really three points, but since Isaiah put them into a single verse, I did too.

He will be pleasing to God:

behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:17

He is the Chosen of God:

And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” – Luke 9:35

He will bring people from all nations in:

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” – Revelation 7:9-10

2. Vv.2-3 – He will be humble and gentle.

What use is a bruised reed?

It cannot be used for anything – it is simply grass that is beyond any use.

It’s not even pleasant to look at – not even beautiful.

What about a smoldering wick?

We think of candles when we hear the word “wick”, but in the Bible, this most often refers to one of those oil lamps like in Aladdin.

It had a reservoir of oil, with a wick that came through the spout.

They would light the wick, and it would give light.

Jesus talked about this kind of lamp in Matthew 5:

Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. – Matthew 5:15

And also in Matthew 25 with the parable of the ten virgins.

Remember that five had brought extra oil for their lamps, and the five foolish ones had not.

That is what it means to have a smoldering wick – your oil has gone out.

When He will not break off a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick, we find our Jesus is not uncontrolled, but is careful with us.

He understands our frailty and our weakness.

He knows that we have no strength.

And He saves us, rescuing us, not putting us out.

John 3:17 – God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

3. V.4 – He will persevere through all trials.

He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth

The devil’s great tools are often exhaustion and discouragement.

From there, He can bring us to sin in so many ways.

Like David, who stayed in the palace rather than going to the battle, we fold our hands, and find ourselves neck deep in sin that hurts us and others.

Idleness leads often to a great fall.

But the Messiah will endure.

And because He endured, we know God will cause ALL His people to endure through Him.

From the cross, Jesus cried out “It is Finished!”

The course God had set out for Him was complete.

The salvation of God’s people was accomplished.

And He had remained faithful to the end.

And through Him, His people will also be kept faithful to the end.

4. V.6 – He will BE the covenant between God and man.

He doesn’t promise the Servant would come to restate or reinforce God’s prior covenants;

He Himself would BE the covenant of God with man.

And not just with man, not just with Israel:

A light for the nations – for the Gentiles.

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” - Luke 2:29-32

In a few minutes, we will share the Lord’s Supper – a physical picture of the great spiritual reality:

The body and blood of Jesus Christ are the elements of God’s covenant with His redeemed people.

5. V.7 – He will free God’s people from sin and bondage to sin.

This isn’t just about making Bartimaeus see or freeing Peter or Paul from prison,

This is about freeing all His people from the tyranny of sin.

We sang this morning about the dungeon flaming with light – the freedom our soul receives in Christ.

We who have been freed from the shackles of sin can testify to the bondage we endured.

The humiliations it brought us.

The degradations sin heaped on us.

But maybe you are sitting here thinking, “If you think sin is bad, you just aren’t doing it right.”

You are living at peace with your sin.

Please listen and believe me when I tell you: that is the cruelest form of slavery.

The slavery where you defend your evil master for the sake of the trinkets it gives you.

When you give yourself over and over to sin time and time again, you begin to think to yourself that it’s not so bad.

Then you find others, like-minded people, who help reinforce the sin in you.

And you find that the boundaries you set at the beginning – I will go this far and no further – get erased as you step across over and over again.

Until rather than having even the illusion of control over your sin, your sin has total control over you.

There is no darker dungeon than a heart that has been willingly captured and enslaved by sin.

And no more mournful jail than one where you built the walls yourself, brick by brick.

And one day you look up and realize you did this to yourself.

You are the one who built this prison around you, shutting you off from people who love you.

Isolating you from any joy of living.

Because your life is just what happens between your addictive sins.

That is the very dungeon Jesus came to free you from – the dungeon you built with your own hands.

The windowless walls you established brick by brick, sin by sin, until there was no light left to see.

And the sin you thought you loved and controlled is revealed to be the cruelest master.

Jesus will set you free from that – pray to Him – repent and believe – and He will set you free.

6. V.8 – He will be God’s chosen image.

I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.

So who DOES He give His glory to?

He gives it to the Messiah HE names, He chooses, He loves.

He gives it to Jesus Christ alone.

That is why there is salvation under no other name.

That is why there is only one way to God, through Jesus Christ.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. – Colossians 1:15-20

The reason WE aren’t to make images of God is that He has reserved that right to Himself.

HE made His own image – our Lord Jesus Christ.

The second Person of the Trinity.

The Word made flesh to dwell among us, fulfilling the promise of “God with us”.

Only someone fully God and fully man, something that until the coming of Christ was really unthinkable, only that man could do everything necessary for our salvation.

And only that man could be the image God gives for us to love and worship.

7. V.10 – He will institute a new covenant (song).

A new song – This is the song of redemption. No longer are we limited to singing of His majesty and power; we can sing full-voice of His love and mercy.

Before the throne of God: And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” - Revelation 5:9–10

From the 144,000 redeemed: And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. - Revelation 14:2–3

This is not just a song, though, with new lyrics – words of redemption and love through Jesus Christ.

It is also a song sung by a new choir.

In Isaiah’s day, salvation was from the Jews.

That WAS how you showed devotion to the true God – you worshiped Him at the temple in the way prescribed in the Law.

But when Jesus came, the way was opened for Gentiles to come based on grace through faith.

And to do so without having to submit to the dietary laws and sacrifice laws and festival laws.

Because all those were types and shadows, pointing to Jesus Christ.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. - Romans 10:4

Bear with me a moment more as we look briefly at this verse because it really gets misunderstood.

Many of us read this and think “end of the Law” means that the Law is no longer in effect, that it has been abolished.

Like December 5, 1933 when the 18th Amendment of the Constitution was ended and Prohibition was repealed.

But that’s not what “end of the Law” means.

It is the same word I referenced earlier – the word Jesus cried out from the cross – “It is finished”

He wasn’t screaming out that the crucifixion was over, that He was now going to die.

That’s not what the word means.

He was crying out that everything He had been sent to do was COMPLETED.

That every single thing God had set out for Him to do, He had done.

Nothing was left undone.

So when Paul talks about Jesus being the “end of the Law”, it is the COMPLETION of the Law,

You could even say Jesus Christ is the POINT of the Law and you would be correct.

The Law was given by God so that only one man COULD ever accomplish it all – Jesus Christ.

So that all others who would come to Him would come only THROUGH Jesus Christ, and no other way.

Not sacrificing bulls or goats, not turtle doves, not Kosher diets or annual festivals.

Just Jesus – by His sacrifice alone, once for all.

And we are secure in Him forever.

8. V.14 – He will bring the kingdom of God.

9. V.16 – He will make God’s people righteous.

10. V.19 – He will be blind to the evil around Him so He does not lash out in holy anger.

11. V.20 – He will not listen to the call of sin in this world.

12. V.21 – He will love the glorious Law of God above all.

13. V.24 – He will remove God’s curse from His people.

14. V.25 – He will endure the wrath of God on behalf of His people.

Target Date: Sunday, 9 February 2025

Word Study/ Translation Notes:

Thoughts on the Passage:

3 – Of what use is a bruised reed? What is the value of such a stalk?

It has no use. It has no beauty. It has nothing to commend itself.

It cannot be used for support. It cannot be used for beauty.

What is the use of a smoldering wick?

A flame that is about to die for lack of fuel?

It provides no light; it only signals the end of its usefulness, sputtering into darkness.

Yet the arrival of the Messiah is the care for the broken reed, new fire for the smoldering wick.

Not stomping on the useless reed. Not quenching the dying flame.

The Servant of God is not a bully, removing all things that are useless to God. He is carefully discerning, handling fragile things gently and breathing life into things almost dead.

5 – What does this reminder of the works of God tell us?

That even in creation, the point of everything He did was for the benefit of His people to be redeemed through Jesus Christ.

6 – I will take you by the hand – recalls the statement by God in 41:13 (likewise 41:9), but this is addressed to the Messiah, to Jesus Christ.

God’s faithfulness to Israel, even in their rejection of Him for dumb idols, was all for the sake of His Son.

Jesus Christ would have a people (the Jews);

He would have a lineage (of Abraham);

He would have a royal title (of David);

Jesus Christ would be the fulfillment of every promise of salvation God ever made in His word.

6 – I will give you as a covenant – Is there any clearer promise in the Old Testament of God’s covenant of redemption through Jesus Christ?

He doesn’t promise the Servant would come to restate or reinforce God’s prior covenants;

He Himself would BE the covenant of God with man.

And not just with man, not just with Israel:

A light for the nations – for the Gentiles.

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” - Luke 2:29-32

7 – bring out the prisoners from the dungeon – to free us from the dark dungeon of sin and theological darkness.

It is the darkness and bondage of sin that makes false gods who condone or absolve our most hideous sins.

Those false beliefs carry us in shackles we have made for ourselves, clinging ever tighter to our sin and rebellion; believing ever stronger in our own will and wisdom.

8 – nor my praise to carved idols – God gave no symbol for us to worship. He sent His Son – the exact representation of the invisible God – to show Himself to us.

No mere work of man’s hands, even his greatest works, could dare represent the glory of the true God, who is praised forever.

There is no glory in man except that which the Spirit imparts to us on the basis of Jesus Christ.

10 – A new song – This is the song of redemption. No longer are we limited to singing of His majesty and power; we can sing full-voice of His love and mercy.

Before the throne of God: And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” - Revelation 5:9–10

From the 144,000 redeemed: And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. - Revelation 14:2–3

12 – declare His praise in the coastlands – that is, over all the earth’s inhabitants. The islands (coastlands) are the places on the globe where people may dwell – habitable spots.

And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” - Isaiah 6:3

19-21 – Contrary to nearly all commentators I respect, the blind Servant here spoken of is Jesus Christ. [Before you pick up your stones, please hear me]

Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as my dedicated one, or blind as the servant of the Lord? 20 He sees many things, but does not observe them; his ears are open, but he does not hear. 21The Lord was pleased, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify his law and make it glorious. - vv.19-21

He begins this section with the PLURAL commands:

Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see! – v.18

The remainder [SINGULAR] might be understood in this way:

You are blind, but shall I tell you of even greater blindness? My perfect, sinless king – He has to turn a blind eye to all the evil that is around Him. Else how could He refrain from destroying you all in an instant?

He stops His ears to your temptations toward sin, toward the arguments you make against God and His holiness.

He sees, but does not participate or take pleasure in them.

He hears, but does not listen to the voice of the serpent still echoing in this world.

His entire focus is on the Law of God, doing perfectly everything the Father tells Him to do. Everything the Father had prepared for Him to do in advance.

And it culminates with v.25 [AGAIN SINGULAR]:

So he poured on him the heat of his anger and the might of battle; it set him on fire all around, but he did not understand; it burned him up, but he did not take it to heart.

Because of the sin of His people, the LORD poured out His wrath on His Servant, Jesus Christ.

“He did not understand” – This was not for His intimate (experiential) knowledge of evil.

“He did not take it to heart” – This did not destroy His heart – His inner nature.

What is the Good News of this passage – Where is Jesus Christ? (if you can’t answer this question, are you finished?)

Teachings:

What do we learn about God/ Jesus/ Holy Spirit?

Applications:

For the Christian:

For the Backslidden:

For the Unconverted:

Primary Preaching Point:

Building Points:

[on even numbered page]

MORNING PRAYER:

Adoration:

Almighty God and everlasting King.

Confession:

Forgive us our pride, and the loathsome lengths to which we will go to support our fleshly vanity.

Thanksgiving:

In You we find our only hope, both in this life and in eternity joined with Christ Jesus.

Petition:

We beg that You subdue the power of our sins by Your Holy Spirit.

Intercession: (also beyond our local)

We pray that Your peace would reign anew on the earth: