The Servant Who Listened and Obeyed

Are You Listening to Me?

We all have listening problem.

Hearing is a vastly underrated sense. Studies have shown that visual recognition requires a significant fraction of a second per event. But hearing is a quantitatively faster sense. While it might take you a full second to notice something out of the corner of your eye, turn your head toward it, recognize it, and respond to it, the same reaction to a new or sudden sound happens at least 10 times as fast. The sudden, loud noise that makes you jump activates the simplest type: the startle response.

A chain of neurons from your ears to your spine takes that noise. It converts it into a defensive response in a mere tenth of a second—elevating your heart rate, hunching your shoulders, and making you glance around to see if whatever you heard is going to pounce and eat you.

This simplest form of attention requires almost no brains at all and has been observed in every studied vertebrate. Hearing, in short, is easy. It’s your lifeline, your alarm system, your way to escape danger and pass on your genes. But listening, really listening, is hard when potential distractions are leaping into your ears every fifty-thousandth of a second.

This is the problem that is addressed today in our text.

First, it begins with Israel, which heard God speak through his prophets but failed to listen and obey.

Second, we will see a picture painted of the servant who perfectly heard, listened, and embraced God’s word.

Finally, we will conclude with the question of whether we will be among those who listen to God’s word leading to trusting in His name alone, and those who rely on their own word leading to torment.

Isaiah 50:1–3 ESV

1 Thus says the Lord: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce, with which I sent her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away. 2 Why, when I came, was there no man; why, when I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst. 3 I clothe the heavens with blackness and make sackcloth their covering.”

INTRODUCTION

Consider the times in your life when you may have felt abandoned by God. The nation of Israel had just come through the Babylonian captivity and exile. Imagine if you had been taken captive and kept away from your hometown all of these years.

How would you have felt? God denies even issuing a certificate of divorce to His chosen people.  He sends them away for a time because they transgress against Him. 

In ancient Near Eastern culture, a certificate of divorce marked the formal end of a covenant relationship (cf. Deuteronomy 24:1). By asking, “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce?” God is saying, in effect:

“Show me the proof that I have permanently cast you off.”

“You will find none, because I have not divorced you.”

He Sold Them

Remember that God is the orchestrator and keeper of all Human History, past, present, and future. What Joseph’s brothers intended for evil, He intended for good. 

The people wanted to say that the Lord had gotten them into this mess; however, the God of all creation would not have such talk come from their mouths. He will remain just competent and ready to save them when His servant comes. 

Playing the Blame Game:

“For your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.”

God did not sell or abandon them out of obligation to a “creditor” (as if He owed a debt). Their exile and suffering were the direct result of their own sin, not God’s unfaithfulness.

Many people assume that God got them into their mess and owes it to them to get them out, and this assumption usually grows out of a combination of theological misunderstanding, human pride, and misplaced expectations.

People often blame God when things go wrong because they perceive that God, being in control, could have prevented the negative event but did not, making him responsible. 

This reaction can also stem from a lack of understanding of God's larger purpose, a feeling of personal powerlessness, or the easy way blame provides an escape from taking personal accountability for their own actions or those of others. 

Refusal to Listen to God Leads to a Time of Exile

The assumption that Israel was making was that due to their recent captivity and exile that God must have somehow cut them off or forgotten about them all together.

Look at the response to such thinking at the end of Isaiah 49:24-26

Isaiah 49:24–26 ESV

24 Can the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? 25 For thus says the Lord: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children. 26 I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with wine. Then all flesh shall know that I am the Lord your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

1. Failure to Listen to God is Never Neutral

Failure to Listen to God leads to many Spiritual and Practical consequences

Here are the major consequences of failure to Listen to God:

a. Separation from God’s Presence

When we stop listening to God, we begin to drift from the very source of life, wisdom, and protection.

In Isaiah 50:1–2, God reminds Israel that their sins—not His abandonment—caused the distance:

Failure to listen leads to a breakdown in relationship—not because God stops speaking, but because our hearts stop receiving.

b. Falling into Self-Reliance and Darkness

When God’s voice is ignored, people naturally lean on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5–7). This leads to confusion, fear, and false security.

Human-made solutions without God’s direction eventually burn out and leave us in deeper darkness.

“When we stop listening to the Shepherd, we end up wandering in shadows.

c. Experiencing the Consequences of Sin

Ignoring God’s Word leads to real-world consequences, both spiritually and practically.

Israel ignored God’s warnings through the prophets and ended up in exile (Isaiah 30:1–5; Isaiah 50:1).

God often allows people to feel the weight of their choices so they might turn back to Him.

“They did not listen… therefore I scattered them with a whirlwind” (Zechariah 7:11–14).

Human nature is to find a scapegoat when things in life fail. When things are falling apart around us —our health, our job, our marriage, our relationships —it’s easy to turn to God and blame him for our predicament. If God had only done __________ I would not be in this situation, or my life would be better. 

God was preparing his people more than a century in advance for what he was going to do in response to their idolatries. His desire was to strengthen their faith at precisely the time they needed it the most.

For when they were languishing in Babylon, they would be most tempted to believe that God had cast them off entirely, “divorced” them, and would have nothing more to do with them

The fact is that God is speaking to us through the pages of scripture, but the question is are we truly listening?

Many people have the mistaken belief that God got them into this mess through His inaction, so He must be obligated to get them out of it. 

HERE ARE SOME KEY DYNAMICS AT WORK.

How Do We Respond When Faced with Failure:

* We Must Separate God’s Sovereignty from Our Choices.

People often confuse God’s sovereignty with God’s authorship of sin or foolish choices.

Since Scripture teaches that God is in control of all things (e.g., Isaiah 45:7; Romans 8:28), some conclude that everything that happens must be directly His doing—including their own poor decisions or the natural consequences that follow them.

Truth: God may allow us to experience consequences, but that doesn’t mean He caused the sin or the mess. He governs over it without being the author of it.

Example: Israel’s exile was the result of their rebellion—not God’s cruelty (Isaiah 50:1). Yet God remained sovereign and gracious through it.

* We Must See that God’s Mercy is not an Obligation but a Gift

God’s Mercy Doesn’t Equal His Obligation

God is merciful and often does deliver us from messes of our own making—but not because He owes us, rather because He loves us. This is grace.

The prodigal son in Luke 15 wasn’t owed restoration. He received it because of his father’s compassion.

Many people have an underlying sense of entitlement: “If I believe in God or try to be a good person, He should make my life go smoothly.” This is a subtle form of transactional faith—treating God like a contract partner rather than Lord and Savior.

This mindset reflects cultural attitudes more than biblical faith.

Biblically, God enters a covenant of grace, not a contract of performance. He promises salvation, presence, and redemption—but not a problem-free life.

* We Must Trust that Even in the Mess God is Working

We Misread God’s Character: When people are hurting, they often project their pain onto God. Instead of seeing Him as Father, Redeemer, or Shepherd, they view Him as a distant orchestrator or even a villain who “owes them a rescue.”But God’s primary aim is not to make life easy—it’s to make hearts holy. His faithfulness often involves refining us in difficulty, not always removing us from it immediately (see Isaiah 48:10; Romans 5:3–5). We forget Human Responsibilities and Consequences It’s often easier to blame God than to face our own choices, sins, or failures. Like Adam in the garden—“The woman you gave me…”—we tend to deflect responsibility.

God didn’t lead Israel into Egypt to make them slaves; their choices over generations led them there.

God didn’t make David sin with Bathsheba; David did that himself, though God redeemed the story in time.

Scripture: “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire” (James 1:14).

Isaiah 50:4–9 ESV

4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. 5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. 6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. 9 Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.

2. Only Those Who Hear the Word Can Know it and Live it

Now the language is changed to the 1st person speaking of the servant. This is one of the most profound Servant Songs in Isaiah. This passage is speaking about the “Servant of the Lord,” who is ultimately revealed in the New Testament as Jesus Christ, the Messiah. You may set under Biblical preaching and teaching every week. The question is are you truly listening, do you hear the word that is being spoken? If not why not? People say they read the Bible and nothing changes in their life. I will then respond with the rhetorical questions, maybe it’s not the words in the book but the one who is reading the book.

The servant has been given an instructed tongue to know the word that sustains the weary.

The same word (limmûdïm) is translated ‘disciples’ in 8:16. And, because he has been discipled by the Lord in how to speak and what to say, he is able to exercise an effective spoken ministry: to know the word that sustains.

THE SERVANT AS A TEACHABLE DISCIPLE

* The One who Hears God’s Word Must be Attentive

We are all, to some extent, ADHD Christians.

Hearing God’s Word with attentiveness is more than simply listening with our ears—it involves the posture of our heart, the focus of our mind, and the readiness of our will to respond. Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people not just to hear, but to heed His Word. Here are some key biblical and practical principles:

“Notice that morning by morning he is awakened by God’s word.”

He is a counselor because He has been counseled by the Lord. But above anything else he is a disciple. Looking back at Isaiah 48 we find out that this is exactly what is missing in Israel’s life.

Are you awakened every morning by the sound of God’s word instructing you?

Attentive hearing means approaching God’s Word with reverence, focus, humility, and a readiness to obey. It’s less about merely hearing sounds and more about receiving truth with the whole person.

1) Cultivate a Posture of Reverence

When God speaks, it is never casual. His Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). Attentiveness begins with recognizing who is speaking. You need to silence the noise and distractions, quiet your heart, and acknowledge God’s authority in your life.

2) Train Your Ears to Listen Actively

Scripture: “Pay attention to what you hear” (Mark 4:24).

Practical:

Ask, “What is God saying here?” instead of, “Do I like what I’m hearing?”

Take notes or underline key phrases.

Resist the temptation to let your mind wander.

Pray before reading or listening, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).

3) Listen With a Soft and Teachable Heart

The condition of the heart determines how the Word is received (Matthew 13:1–23, Parable of the Sower).

A distracted or hardened heart can hear but not absorb.

A receptive heart receives the Word, treasures it, and bears fruit.

Attentive listening means being willing to be corrected, comforted, or convicted.

*The One Who Hears Gods Word Must be Moved to Total Submission

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did not turn backward or act rebelliously. He submitted fully by offering His back to His accuser's and His cheek to pull out his beard. He did not hide His face from the disgrace of being spit on.

There is no partial submission with God and His word. You are either obedient or not.

It would be like telling your child to pick up their art supplies. They picked up their art supplies, but at the same time decided to paint a beautiful mural on your living room wall. 

When you confront your child, they respond, Well, I did submit to your wishes by picking up my art supplies. However, I also decided our living room needed a little artistic work. Well, kind of, however, they began to color outside the lines. They did follow the command; however, they added their own spin instead of sticking to it. 

They kept external rituals but neglected heart obedience.

Israel offered sacrifices, kept feasts, and went to the temple (Isaiah 1:11–15), but their hearts were far from God.

Application: Partial submission often looks religious on the outside, but it stops short of surrendering the heart.

They trusted God but also turned to other foreign powers in their time of need.

In crises, Israel sometimes consulted God, but then turned to human alliances for security. The wanted God’s blessing but still turned back to the world.

Application: Partial submission says, “I trust God… but I still want control if He doesn’t come through.”

They Obeyed in Some Areas but Held onto Idols. Israel often tried to worship Yahweh and idols side by side (syncretism). Application: God does not accept “shared thrones” in our hearts (Matthew 6:24).

They Confessed Sin but Rarely Repented Fully

Israel sometimes admitted guilt, but their response was superficial.

Application: Partial submission may say “sorry,” but full submission turns around and follows God wholeheartedly.

They Obeyed for a Season but Did Not Persevere Even in moments of revival (e.g., under Hezekiah), the nation often drifted back to old patterns of idolatry and unbelief. Application: True submission is steadfast, not seasonal.

As a disciple he does not shrink from the suffering: he does not draw back, or hide his face, but sets it like flint (5–7). There is nothing he will not endure if obedience demands it. But finally—and this is important—his confidence is not in his own power to endure, but in the LORD who helps him, and who will vindicate him in the end.

In describing his own discipleship the Servant has shown them what God requires of all his people: not empty profession, but wholehearted, costly obedience.

This leads us to experience the vindication our hearts desire because now with God on our side vindication is near.

Throughout Scripture, the human heart often cries out not only for deliverance but for vindication — for God to prove what is right, to defend His people, and to reverse unjust accusations or suffering.

This longing is both deeply human and profoundly theological: it reflects our desire to be seen, known, and justified by God.

This longing is not sinful — it’s a holy longing for God to be the righteous Judge.

It reminds us not to defend ourselves in the flesh but to entrust our cause to God (1 Peter 2:23).

It assures believers that God’s verdict is final — not the world’s, not the accuser’s, not our circumstances.

It lifts our eyes from present injustice to the coming glory.

Romans 12:19

Romans 12:19 ESV

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Isaiah 50:10–11 ESV

10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. 11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.

3. Who Will You Listen to: the Servant or Yourself?

The servant ends with a questions:

Who among you fears the Lord and Obeys the Voice of His Servant?

All who are walking in the darkness of sin. Will you fear the Lord, listen to Christ, and walk humbly through faith in his light? Or will you reject Christ, light your own torch for guidance, and seek to live according to your own wisdom? The first group will be saved; the second will lie down in eternal torment.

The Flashlight vs. the Sunrise

Imagine someone lost in the wilderness at night. They have a small flashlight that gives them just enough light to see a few steps ahead. But the battery starts to flicker.

In fear, they keep pressing forward, trying to control their path with their weak, dying light.

Meanwhile, the sun is going to rise—bringing clear, steady, reliable light. If they waited for the sunrise, they could walk in whole light and safety. But because they trust their own light, they stumble deeper into danger.

Point: Human solutions—our “torches”—can only provide temporary, limited light. Trusting God may mean waiting in darkness for His timing, but His light is infinitely better. Those who rely on their own light will ultimately find themselves lost.

CONCLUSION

“Trust in the name of the LORD and rely on your God.” — Isaiah 50:10

Proverbs 3:5–8 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Emphasis for the Illustration

“Darkness” is not always punishment—it can be the place of trust.

The temptation in darkness is to manufacture control (light our own torch).

God invites us to trust His name and rely on Him, even when we cannot see.

Our “torches” (human plans, self-sufficiency, quick fixes) lead to frustration, confusion, or destruction.

His light comes in His timing — but it’s steady, sufficient, and saving.