Isaiah 49-50

All right class, everyone grab a seat. We will begin class by going over the test from Tuesday’s class period. I don’t like to say it, but the class failed the test miserably.

Chatter about the hardness of the class

But there was one

Chatter about Jimmy the brain in the class ruining the curve

Quiet down class that’s enough. As I was saying there was one- Samuel

Chatter about Samuel not being the bright one in the class

There was one who did worse than all of you

That’s embarrassing. Wait that means the curve is in our favor

And that is why he will pass the class

There wasn’t any chatter after that statement until the end of class. They all walked out pretty upset with the teacher’s mysterious ways. There was one student however, who walked up to Samuel and asked him about the test.

How many wrong answers did you have to get in order to succeed? What did you write on the test?

I don’t understand anything. Please help me.

And that is how you passed the test?

No that is how I failed the test, but found out the incredible skill and the deep compassion of our teacher who was willing to help me.

God sets forth His weak Servant to show the possibility of obedience and the display of His skill and compassion

There is a provision that makes these realities possible. The obedient servant (49:3)

Failure does not equal finality (49:1-6)

God prepares and makes His servant effective

There servant trust him to make things rights and be His reward

He sees honor and strength bestowed (v. 5)

Big tasks are small in God’s perspective

Rejection does not equal shame (49:7; 50:4-6)

Struggle does not equal captivity (49:8-9)

Sinfulness leads to bondage. God is not to be blames (50:1-2)

Lack does not equal emptiness (49:14-19)

The skill of God in verses 22-23, 26

Illustration of loud whistler

There is a posture that makes this possible (50:10-11). The posture is bold and humble (50:7, 10-11)