The Servant King Establishes His Kingdom

Isaiah 42:1–7 ESV

1 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.

INTRODUCTION

All of humanity is filled with Kingdoms rising and falling that are built all for their own glory and fame alone.

They delighted in the weakness of their enemies and trampled them down like mud in the streets. But one day a gentle Jewish carpenter stood on trial before the most powerful empire on earth and proclaimed a different kind of kingdom than the world had ever seen.

In effect, Jesus said to Pontius Pilate that day, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would have fought, because that’s how worldly kingdoms are built. But my kingdom is of an entirely different nature, built by a quiet proclamation of truth” (see John 18:36).

Who is the Servant?

Isaiah introduces “the servant of the LORD.” This title identifies the person and work of Jesus Christ four times in Isaiah: 42:1–7; 49:1–9; 50:4–9; 52:13–53:12. The interpretive challenge arises from the fact that God sometimes identifies His people (Israel or Jacob) in this same way—“my servant.”

The humble servant is further listed throughout scripture as a depiction of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Isaiah 42:1–4 describes God’s Servant: chosen, Spirit-filled, gentle, faithful, and bringing justice without crushing the weak.

Isaiah 49, 50, and especially 52–53 expand this theme — the Servant suffers, bears the sins of many, and accomplishes God’s salvation.

New Testament Connections

Matthew 12:15–21 explicitly quotes Isaiah 42:1–4 and says this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus. Matthew highlights Jesus’ gentleness, healing, and mission to the nations.

Philippians 2:5–8 identifies Jesus as the One who, though equal with God, “emptied Himself,” took the form of a servant, and humbled Himself to death on a cross.

Mark 10:45: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

John 13:1–17: Jesus washing the disciples’ feet demonstrates the posture of a humble servant.

Modern Life Illustration – The Surgeon’s Touch

A surgeon preparing to operate on a newborn baby doesn’t use forceful, careless movements. Instead, he bends low, uses precise instruments, and works with utmost gentleness.

His goal is not to show off power but to heal what is broken.

Jesus, the humble Servant, came not to crush the weak but to heal the wounded and bind up the brokenhearted (Isaiah 42:3).

Big Idea: The servant of the Lord, will patiently and gently build his kingdom with broken sinners

1. The Servant King Comes to Execute Justice

Note: We read twice in the first four verses about God’s justice: “My spirit upon Him will bring forth Justice,” “Until He has established justice on the earth.

The key term in verses 1–4 is justice (mišpāṭ). The Servant will bring justice to the nations:

(1) he will faithfully bring forth justice

(2) He will establish justice on earth.

But we have to be careful here, for in the book of Isaiah mišpāṭ is a somewhat bigger thing than we usually think of as justice. In 40:14, it has to do with the order God has established in the whole universe through His creative acts. It is all about putting God’s plans into action for His people and making the truth about God known to all nations. 

What does it mean for God’s Justice to be Established on the earth?

*God’s Justice is the order that He has given to the whole universe.

Justice Means More Than Fair Courts

In Scripture, justice (Hebrew: mishpat) is not just about legal fairness. It’s about the right ordering of life under God’s rule.

It includes righteousness, truth, fairness, protection of the vulnerable, and alignment with God’s will.

Example: In Isaiah 1:17, justice means defending the fatherless and pleading for the widow—restoring what sin has broken.

Justice Restores Shalom

Justice is tied to shalom (peace, wholeness).

When God’s justice is established, the world works as it was created to—relationships reconciled, creation healed, oppression lifted, and people living in harmony with God.

Isaiah 11 pictures this beautifully: the wolf lying with the lamb, the earth full of the knowledge of the Lord.

It’s Rooted in the Servant (Jesus)

Isaiah 42:1 says the Servant (Jesus) will bring justice to the nations—not through political conquest, but through humility, healing, and the gospel.

On the cross, Jesus absorbed God’s wrath and satisfied divine justice (Romans 3:25–26). That means the guilty can be forgiven without God ceasing to be just.

Through His resurrection, Jesus began the renewal of all creation—the first taste of ultimate justice.

It Has a “Now and Not Yet” Fulfillment

Now: God’s justice is established in the hearts of His people as they live by His Spirit—defending the weak, showing mercy, and living in righteousness (Micah 6:8).

Not Yet: Final justice will come when Christ returns, destroys evil, rights every wrong, and establishes His reign of righteousness forever (Revelation 21–22).

What Justice Means for Us Today

God’s justice is not just a legal concept—it’s a personal reality.

We can live without fear of condemnation because justice was satisfied at the cross.

We are called to reflect His justice in how we treat others—seeking mercy, compassion, and fairness in a world of injustice.

Every act of kindness, truth, and advocacy for the weak points to the greater day when the Servant will fully establish justice on earth.

Be careful that you are not seeking justice in this world today. What are some difficulties with trying to find justice in the world today?

a) Justice today is Partial and Imperfect

Truth: We may experience glimpses of justice in the world—good laws, fair treatment, protection of the vulnerable—but it will always be mixed with injustice until Christ returns.

God’s justice today is partial and imperfect because:

Human sin corrupts justice systems.

God delays judgment to allow repentance.

Justice is unevenly experienced in a fallen world.

The cross has secured justice, but its fullness awaits Christ’s return.

So we live in the “already and not yet”: justice has come in Jesus, but perfect justice will only come when He returns to set all things right (Revelation 21:3–5).

b) Justice Is Found in Christ, Even Now

Truth: While perfect justice is future, Christians are called to embody God’s justice now by showing fairness, compassion, and integrity in how we live.

Throughout the history of this sin-cursed planet, strong rulers have crushed weak people, denying them justice. God has written justice in the hearts of all human beings, so we are well aware when we are being treated unjustly. The distant islands wait for the reign of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, who alone can bring perfect justice.

c) Perfect Justice Awaits the Coming Kingdom

Truth: Full, lasting justice cannot be found in the present world. It awaits the Day of the Lord when Christ reigns visibly over all nations.

So, yes we can find justice in the world today but only in part.

It is truly amazing how this king chooses to establish His kingdom.

Verses 2–4 give a series of seven negative statements that capture the essence of the peaceful and gentle advance of the kingdom of heaven.

First, he will not cry out or shout or lift up his voice in the streets. This refers to the harsh sound of tyranny, like a Nazi warrior yelling, “Schnell! Schnell!” to the terrorized citizens of a newly conquered city, commanding them to run onto a waiting train to a concentration camp.

Or the strident sounds of a rabble-rousing dissident, who stands on a wall to harangue the populace with ideology demanding revolution.

Jesus established his kingdom by speaking words of peace and truth to brokenhearted sinners.

Look at the gentleness he speaks with in verse 3 “a bent read he will not break off;” and “he will not put out a smoldering pot’s wick.”

The Creator gives breath to the people who walk on the earth, and he can also give eternal life by his Spirit to anyone he chooses. So God gives the servant his commission: he has called Jesus for a righteous purpose and will take him by the hand to enable him to finish what he started.

Both of these are meant to convey the frailty and brokenness of human beings suffering in this sin-cursed world. A bruised reed is hanging by a slender green strand; a smoldering wick is just about to go out entirely. So are human beings in their frailty. And whereas wicked empire builders welcome bruised reeds so they can trample them and smoldering wicks so they can extinguish them

Jesus is building his kingdom out of exactly those kinds of people. He can take weeping sinners who have lost all hope of salvation and all desire to live and whisper words of gospel power into their hearts.

*God’s Justice Will Continue to Spread

How will God’s Justice Spread?

a) It will spread through His Breath

The creator God who gives breath to all people.

vs 5 This kingdom will spread to the distant islands where people are waiting expectantly for it to come. But the advance of this kingdom will be gradual and complex. The latter “servant of the LORD” prophecies will make plain how much suffering the servant will have to undergo. 

Even though the progress will be pretty slow and bitterly opposed, Jesus will “not grow weak or be discouraged” until he has established his kingdom even to the distant islands (v. 4).

b) It will spread through His Covenant

vs. 6 The Creator gives breath to the people who walk on the earth, and he can also give eternal life by his Spirit to anyone he chooses. So God gives the servant his commission: he has called Jesus for a righteous purpose and will take him by the hand to enable him to finish what he started.

“I am the Lord, I have called you, I will take you by the hand and watch over you.”

The servant is not just the covenant maker He is the very covenant Himself. In other words, the Servant doesn’t merely bring covenant promises—He embodies them.

We all share in this covenant through Christ.

Unlike human covenants that depend on both sides, this covenant is anchored in God’s righteousness and faithfulness.

Significance: Our salvation is secure because it rests on God’s character, not human performance.

Purpose of the Covenant vs. 7

1). To open blind eyes

2). To bring out those who are bound and imprisoned

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.

2. The Servant King Deserves all of Our Glory

The message of this kingdom is the glory of God in the face of Christ 2 Cor 4:6

2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

So in Isaiah 42:8 the Lord proclaims his name and establishes that his glory is his own, never to be shared with another.

*The Servant King’s Name is “The Lord”

a) The LORD (Yahweh) Is God’s Covenant Name

“The LORD” here translates Yahweh (or Jehovah), the personal covenant name God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14–15).

It expresses God’s self-existence (“I AM”), His unchanging nature, and His faithful presence with His people.

By saying “that is my name,” God is reminding Israel: I am the one true God, bound by covenant to you, utterly unlike idols.

Meaning: God is not a generic deity. He is the covenant-keeping LORD who personally reveals Himself and remains faithful.

b) God’s Name Reveals His Unique Identity

In Hebrew culture a name was important it identified one’s character and essence of someone’s being.

This directly confronts idolatry: Israel was tempted to trust in idols, but God says, “My glory I will not give to another.”

Meaning: To know God’s name is to know His character: holy, just, merciful, sovereign. He alone deserves worship.

c) God’s Name is Relentlessly Bound to His Glory

Psalm 115:1 ESV

1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Wherever His name is exalted His glory is revealed.

Meaning: God’s name is not to be taken lightly (Exodus 20:7). To misuse or neglect it dishonors His glory.

NOTE: The bigger warning here is against idolatry.

Sports Illustration – The Wrong Jersey

Imagine a star athlete who has trained his whole life to play for his team. On the day of the championship game, he shows up wearing the other team’s jersey and begins cheering for them. His teammates would feel betrayed — he gave his allegiance to the wrong side.

That’s what idolatry is: giving our devotion, energy, and loyalty to something other than God. Isaiah 42:8 reminds us that God will not share His glory — our “jersey” must belong to Him alone.

*The Servant King’s Name is a Call to Worship

The name of Jesus is not optional; it demands our worship and reverence. One day, every creature will acknowledge His supremacy. 

vrs. 10-12

Philippians 2:9–11 ESV

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Note: Have you ever been going through your day and burst out into spontaneous praise of the name of the Lord? I see some of you in worship who never open your mouth to praise God. What keeps you from spontaneous praise of Him?

The early church practiced spontaneous praise of God — in daily life, in suffering, in prayer, and in Spirit-filled gatherings. Their worship often overflowed in doxologies and songs without formal prompting, showing the immediacy of their joy in Christ.

Isaiah 42:13–17 ESV

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.”

3. The Servant King Shows the Zeal of a Warrior

The meek gentleness of Christ should not mislead us into thinking that the King lacks power or zeal. Actually, this advancing kingdom will be opposed every step of the way by powerful enemies. So verses 13–15 picture God’s terrifying wrath, which is as essential to the advance of this kingdom as is the gentleness of Christ.

King Jesus shows His zeal as a warrior king in ways that are both surprising and powerful. The Bible often blends His meekness with His might, showing that His zeal is not reckless rage but holy passion to defend His people and establish God’s justice.

In The Old Testament

Isaiah 42:13 — “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.” Here, God’s zeal is pictured in warrior terms—He will not sit idly by but will rise with intensity to deliver His people and judge His enemies.

Isaiah 59:17 — God is clothed with righteousness as a breastplate and zeal as a cloak, picturing Him as a divine warrior fighting on behalf of His people.

In The Life and Ministry of Jesus

Cleansing the Temple

Casting out the Demoniacs

Cross and Resurrection

In His Present Reign

Intersession and protection: Jesus zealously guards His church, praying for us and sustaining us (Heb. 7:25; John 17). His warrior zeal now is expressed in defending and sanctifying His people.

Spiritual Armor for His Followers: By providing the armor of God (Eph. 6:10–18), He equips His people to share in His warrior mission.

In His Future Coming

Revelation 19:11–16 ESV

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Practical Application

Jesus’ zeal as a warrior king calls us to trust that no injustice, oppression, or evil will ultimately prevail.

It also calls us to imitate His zeal—not with worldly violence, but with burning passion for holiness, justice, and the spread of His gospel.

CONCLUSION

Illustration: The Shepherd Who Fights the Wolf

Imagine a shepherd out in the fields at night. He hears the distant howl of wolves circling the flock. Some sheep are restless, others completely unaware of the danger. The shepherd does not shrug his shoulders and say, “Well, sheep are fragile—it’s their fate.” No—his love for the sheep stirs something fierce inside him. He takes up his staff, positions himself between the flock and the threat, and with fierce determination he drives the wolf away.

That shepherd’s gentleness with the lambs does not mean weakness. His tenderness toward the flock actually fuels his zeal to fight for them. The presence of an enemy awakens his warrior heart.

This is how King Jesus loves His Church. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). He is the Warrior-King of Isaiah 42:13—who “stirs up His zeal like a man of war.” On the cross He crushed the head of the serpent; through His resurrection He broke the chains of death; and even now He zealously intercedes for His people, ensuring that no weapon formed against them will stand.

When you see Christ’s zeal as warrior-king, you realize that His love for you is not passive—it is active, strong, and fiercely protective.

Connection to the Church Today: Just as the shepherd does not abandon his sheep to wolves, King Jesus will never abandon His Church to Satan, sin, or the powers of this world. His zeal guarantees that He will preserve His people to the end.

Isaiah 42:18–25 ESV

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.

In this final section Isaiah was writing to Judah and Jerusalem before the fall into idolatry during the reign of Manasseh that would result in their degrading exile to Babylon.

The events that would occur in their destruction and exile would be absolutely humiliating to God’s people. But what is worse, they could mislead observers into misunderstanding God’s purposes.

It was not that God was powerless to stop the Babylonians or didn’t see them coming. No, actually, God brought the Babylonians to exact judgment on his blind and deaf “servant,” Israel.

This whole section ends with a call to listen and to hear. That people haven’t done this so far means they have to learn the hard way. It didn’t have to be this way; they could have listened and followed.

Some of the best promises in the Bible are to the obedient. But even slow learners will rise from the ashes of the furnace.

Here are three things they have learned on the Journey that we should take note of.

Write this Word Down

KNEEL

Will you humbly kneel before the gentle King Jesus and by Faith enter His Kingdom? Will you bow the knee?

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DELIGHT

Delight in the gentleness of Jesus in dealing with sinners like us. We have a difficult time believing God loves us when we’re so sinful. Sometimes we feel like we’re a damaged reed, barely holding on by a slender green thread.

We feel like the work of grace in our hearts is a flickering, smoldering, smoky fire just about to be extinguished.

This should teach us as Christian leaders how we should deal with those feeling the guilt of their sin. We must be skillful, gentle, and tender, counseling sinners to a healthy walk with Christ.

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Compel

What compels you deep down in your spirit and your soul? We had a 71-year-old fire chief from California at Mighty Oaks this week. In the middle of his testimony to the men, he stopped, called all of the leadership of the room to the stage, and said, “let’s do it,” to which we replied, “do what.” He said I want to surrender my life to the Lord. He was compelled to the foot of the cross.

We should delight in the good news of the gospel. We persuade people to be saved, but, the spirit compels us to redemption.

Will you bow the knee?

Will you delight in the Lords correction?

Will you be compelled to share the good news of Jesus Christ?