Servants of the Lord (2)

Individuals as servants of the Lord

The patriarchs as servants of the Lord

Exodus 32:13 KJV 1900

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

See also Ge 18:3; Ge 32:10; Dt 9:27; 1 Ch 16:13; Ps 105:6

Moses as the servant of the Lord

Exodus 14:31 KJV 1900

And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.

See also Nu 12:7–8; Dt 34:5; Jos 1:1–2; Ne 1:7–8; Mal 4:4

Other leaders as servants of the Lord

Nu 14:24; Jos 5:14; Jos 24:29; Jdg 2:8; Jdg 15:18

David as the servant of the Lord

Psalm 89:20 KJV 1900

I have found David my servant; With my holy oil have I anointed him:

See also 1 Sa 23:11; 2 Sa 7:5; 1 Ki 14:8

Other kings as servants of the Lord

1 Ki 3:7–9; 2 Ch 32:16

Individual prophets as servants of the Lord

1 Ki 14:18; 1 Ki 18:36; 2 Ki 14:25; Is 20:3

Paul as the servant of the Lord

Acts 27:23 KJV 1900

For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

See also Ro 1:1; Eph 3:1

Other individual believers as servants of the Lord

1 Sa 1:11; Job 1:8; Job 2:3; Job 42:7–8; Hag 2:23; Lk 1:38; Lk 1:48; Lk 2:29; Jas 1:1; 2 Pe 1:1; Jud 1; Re 1:1

Pagan kings as servants of the Lord

Jeremiah 25:9 KJV 1900

Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the Lord, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.

See also Is 45:1; Je 43:10

Groups of servants of the Lord

The people of Israel as the Lord’s servants

Isaiah 41:8–9 KJV 1900

But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The seed of Abraham my friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called thee from the chief men thereof, And said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.

See also Le 25:42; Le 25:55; Ne 1:6; Ne 1:10; Is 43:10; Je 30:10–11; Lk 1:54

Failure of the people of Israel to serve the Lord

Isaiah 42:19 KJV 1900

Who is blind, but my servant? Or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? Who is blind as he that is perfect, And blind as the Lord’s servant?

See also Jdg 10:6; 1 Sa 12:10; Ne 9:35; Mal 3:14

Priests as the Lord’s servants

Ex 28:1; Ex 28:41; Le 7:35; Nu 18:7; Heb 8:5

Levites as the Lord’s servants

Dt 18:7; 1 Ch 23:28–31; Ezr 6:18; Eze 44:11

Prophets as the Lord’s servants

Jeremiah 7:25 KJV 1900

Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them:

See also Je 29:19; Je 44:4; Eze 38:17; Da 9:6; Am 3:7; Zec 1:6; Mt 21:34–36; Re 10:7

Other nations as the Lord’s servants

Psalm 72:11 KJV 1900

Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: All nations shall serve him.

See also Is 56:6; Zep 3:9

The Lord’s servants recognised as such by pagans

Daniel 3:26 KJV 1900

Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

See also Da 6:16; Da 6:20; Ac 16:17

The unique servant of the Lord

Isaiah’s vision of this servant

Isaiah 42:1–4 KJV 1900

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, Nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, And the smoking flax shall he not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, Till he have set judgment in the earth: And the isles shall wait for his law.

See also Is 49:1–6; Is 50:4–9; Is 52:13–53:12

Jesus Christ’s life identifies him as the Lord’s servant

Matthew 12:17–21 KJV 1900

That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

See also Mt 8:16–17; Mt 20:28; Mt 26:28; Mt 27:12–14; Mk 9:12; Jn 1:29; Jn 12:38

NT leaders proclaim Jesus Christ as the Lord’s servant

Acts 8:30–35 KJV 1900

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

See also Ac 3:13; Ac 3:26; Ro 10:16; Ro 15:21; Php 2:6–8; 1 Pe 2:21–25

The Lord’s service

An exclusive service

Deuteronomy 6:13 KJV 1900

Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.

See also Dt 10:12; Dt 10:20; Jos 22:5; Jos 24:14–24; Mt 6:24

Serving the Lord as he requires

Colossians 3:23–24 KJV 1900

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

See also Ps 2:11; Lk 1:74; Lk 12:35–36; Ro 7:6; Eph 6:7; 2 Ti 2:24; 1 Pe 2:16

The Lord’s care for his servants

Psalm 35:27 KJV 1900

Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: Yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

See also Is 54:17; Is 65:13–15; Da 3:28

The reward of the Lord’s servants

Revelation 22:3–5 KJV 1900

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

See also Lk 12:37–38; Lk 19:17; Jn 12:26; Jn 15:14–15