The Great Work of the Perfect Servant of the Lord

Isaiah 49:1-13

The Second Servant Song

Introdution

It is Advent season

Season to remember the first advent of Christ & anticipate His second advent

Anticipation & waiting is a key theme of Advent

That makes this section of Isaiah particularly relevant

Next several chapters are marked by anticipation & minister comfort in that anticipation

If we think of Isaiah at Christmast we’re likely to think of a couple of passages early in Isaiah

Isa.7:14 or Isaiah 9:2

As we’ve seen this last part of Isaiah is very NT and rich with the Gospel

Not just passages like Isa. 53 - suffering servant

Isaiah 49 is the 2nd Servant Song and perhaps you will be pleasantly surprised how much of the Christmas message is contained

This song leads us to consider the call & work of The Servant

His call to the work of atonement

As we expect with Isaiah, after the hard message of Isa. 47-48 we are brought comfort & hope

There are 2 sides to this call

It is for Israel but also reaches to the ends of the earth

The Call of The Servant

Isaiah 49:1-7

His Personal Call (Isa. 49:1-4)

Call of The Servant (Isa. 49:1)

We see here a very personal call, like we see of other prophets

Yet, this is clearly the call of one like no other prophet, priest or king

By speaking of being in the womb etc. we’re talking about incarnation

There are a number of interesting implications in the first verse

Like so many prophecies of Christ it speaks of His mother but not a father

Pattern we see from the very beginning

Gen. 3:15 - seed of the woman

Isa. 7:14 - virgin will conceive

Ps. 22:10 - from my mother’s womb

Micah 5:3 - until she who is in labour gives birth

All of these are indications of what we see take place at Jesus’ birth - virgin birth

Matthew 1:18 “18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.”

“From the matrix [body] of my mother...” interesting phrase

Many ask why, with all the prophecies in OT, we never know His name

I think this suggests His name would be revealed when the time comes

When do we find His name given?

Matthew 1:20–21 “20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.””

While Jesus is in the womb His name and work are announced in clarity

Preparation of The Servant (Isa. 49:2)

He isn’t called to a military conquest

Not carrying a sword but word like a sword

Arrows not in bow but in quiver

His mission isn’t to be accomplished by force or might but by power of His word

The Servant is the revelation, the communication of the Lord

Is there any wonder why John introduces us to Jesus this way:

John 1:14 “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Jesus, The Word of God, reveals to us the glory of God

The Servant will reveal the Lord to us

Is there any question that Jesus’ words were sharp & powerful like a sword

How often are people left speechless or without response to His word

Matthew 7:29 “29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

That power continues in His Word today

Hebrews 4:12 “12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

How is The Servant like an arrow in a quiver?

Note the arrow, too, is sharp & ready for use

Under the shadow of the hand ready to be drawn

The sword speaks of effectiveness, the arrow speaks of readiness

Waits in the quiver ready to be drawn when the time is right

Galatians 4:4 “4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,”

Mark 1:15 “15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.””

Perfection of The Servant (Isa. 49:3)

This verse requires we pay attention to context & usage

Does this identify The Servant as the nation of Israel?

Israel is called His servant

Given how the name is used here & how the nation has been described earlier ‘Israel’ must be referring to someone else

Israel means ‘prince of God’

The Servant is going to be the perfect Israel, the true Israel

The Servant/Messiah/Christ will be all that Israel was intended to be

Discouragement of The Servant (Isa. 49:4)

Here the words of The Servant come as a surprise

The perfect Servant of the Lord, called by the Lord & prepared expresses discouragement

Servant comes as called yet the response to Him is discouraging

Discouragment of 1 who is rejected

We often feel discouragement in life because of sin

All the work for God, the service, witnessing etc & little to show for it

Jesus knows what that feels like

His entire ministry was filled with rejection

Yet in His discouragement He doesn’t look to Himself but to the Father

He commits all of His work to the Father

Trusts the wisdom of the Father & the work of the Father

1 Peter 2:23 “23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;”

Maybe you too feel like your life has nothing to show for it

Follow the example of Jesus, not focussing on yourself but trusting the God who called you

His Great Mission (Isa. 49:5-6)

Restore Israel

Reach the World

Perfect Saviour

His Ultimate Triumph (Isa. 49:7)

Rejection of The Servant

Rule of The Servant

Faithfulness of the Lord

The Work of The Servant

Isaiah 49:8-13

Assurance for The Servant (Isa. 49:8)

The Servant’s Prayer

The Servant’s Prayer Answered

Delivery of The Servant (Isa. 49:9-12)

Sets Free

Leads Home

Victory of The Servant (Isa. 49:13)

Sing His Praises

His Work is Finished

Conclusion