Isaiah's Jesus

Isaiah's Jesus--Isaiah 52:13-53:12

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

2:33 PM

We know that God's way is the best way: but so often God's way would not have been our way. This is what we find happening here. God promises that he would provide a salvation.

While they were thinking over the top, mind blowing power - river stopping, fire falling, manna dropping power.

But God says - I will deliver I will bring salvation but it is going to be by:

Servanthood Humility Suffering Death

It takes those who haven't been paying attention by surprise -

But for those who have been watching since chapter 40 they will immediately recognize this person:

42:1-9:

49:1-6

50:4-9

Sometime during this week you ought to read these passages together - it will give you a greater picture of this individual.

Lets take a look at the passages in our reading of this Great Servant.

The poem gives evidence of careful literary construction. It contains five stanzas of three verses each (52:13-15; 53:1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12).

The first and last stanzas contain the commendation of the Servant in the voice of God,

while the middle three speak of the Servant's humiliation and suffering,

the first and second of which are in the voice of "we," those who caused his suffering.

The central thought of the poem is focused on two great contrasts:

the contrast between the Servant's exaltation and his humiliation and suffering,

and the contrast between what people thought about the Servant and what was really the case.

New International Commentary, The - The New International Commentary on the Old Testament – The Book of Isaiah Chapters 40-66.

The Servant's Introduction 52:13 - There are four "Servant Songs" in Isaiah this is the final of the four. It should be obvious that in this passage the identity of the servant is unclear as Isaiah is introducing us to Him. There are two main ideas as to who this "Servant" is. 1.) Israel. 2.) An unidentified single person. We find one of the most interesting evangelistic effort in the New Testament after Pentecost in Acts 8 where Philip finds the Ethiopian Eunuch reading this "Servant Song" he gets down to 53:7 and Philip asks him if he understands what he is reading.

The eunuch says, "No I can't figure this out - who is he talking about? Himself or someone else? I love Philips answer:

Acts 8:35 (KJV)

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. So the New Testament commentary on this passage tells us this passage isn't referring to Israel, but to Israel's Messiah - Jesus Christ our Lord. But perhaps the best New Testament commentary on this Old Testament Prophecy is found in: Matthew 12:16-21

16 And charged them that they should not make him known:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

18 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.

19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Think of HIM as we go through this "SERVANT SONG"

52:13- Deal Prudently: Wisely - Means more than just being a wise person - it means he will both know and do the right things and be successful. "High and Lifted up": Used only four times in the book of Isaiah and no where else in the Old Testament (6:1, 33:10, 57:15) They all describe God. The New Testament uses these phrases, “exalted” and “lifted up,” with reference to Jesus.

It uses “lifted up” to speak of his crucifixion (John 3:14; 8:28; 12:32, 34; Acts 1:9) and “exalted” to speak of the honor due him because of his obedience to the will of the Father (Acts 2:33; 5:31; Hebrews 7:26). Most significantly, it speaks of Jesus: Philippians 2:6-11).

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Isaiah will end this Servant's Song with another descritption of the Servant's exalted state.

The Servant's Appearance (52:14) We go immediately from EXALTATION to HUMILIATION.

A marred visage: This word "VISAGE" means appearance - his appearance is marred (we are not told how in this passage just told it happens) When you think of all that Jesus endured during his imprisonment, torture and crucifixion - it would have completely changed his appearance. No doubt this is one of the reasons the two on the way to Emmaus did not recognize Him. Verse 15 - uses the word "sprinkle" most scholars are not sure what this means - Dr. Oswald who I love to read and hear teach on Isaiah claims this word in the Hebrew can mean "sprinkle" or "startle" and he teaches and I agree with him that this means they would be startled

The Servant's Rejection 53:1-3

This Servant (Jesus) is rejected for several reasons

He came in an unexpected manner - verse 2a

He grew up just like everyone else

(You ought to make a study of how many times Jesus is compared or thought of as familiar in the Gospels - Isn't this Jesus of Nazareth? Isn't this the carpenter's son? Etc. He wasn't attractive - Verse 2b - It is possible that Jesus was ugly

We did not desire Him We despised (Grossly UNDERESTIMATED) and Rejected Him We hid as it were our faces with Him He was despised and we counted him as insignificant (esteemed Him not) The Servant's Suffering 53:4-6

It was a Substitutionary Suffering: It wasn't for his own sins

Verse The Servant's Part The People's Part 53:4 He borne (took) He carried Our griefs (infirmities) Our sorrows 53:5 He was wounded He was bruised (crushed) His chastisement (pusishment) His stripes (wounds) For our transgressions For our iniquities Brought us peace We are healed 53:6 Laid on Him The iniquity of us all

We considered Him stricken and smitten of God and afflicted verse 4

The Servant's Death 53:7-9

The Servant goes willingly and quietly to His death The Servant dies for God's People (8) The Servant's Triumph I love how this Servant has been placed in his grave and now He is back. Sounds familiar doesn't it.

I love verse 11 - He will Justify many!!! (We have been studying this in Romans)