Hope of the World: Isaiah 42

¹ “Look at My Servant, whom I (the living LORD God) strengthen (support, uphold). He is My Chosen One (the Elect), who pleases (delights in) Me. I have put My Spirit upon Him (Servant). He will bring justice to the nations. ² He will not shout or raise His voice in public. ³ He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice (in truth) to all who have been wronged. ⁴ He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for His instruction (law)…. ⁶ I, the LORD, have called You (Servant) to demonstrate My righteousness. I will take You by the hand and guard You, and I will give You (Servant) to My people, Israel, as a symbol of My covenant (agreement) with them. And You will be a Light to guide the nations. ⁷ You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons (darkness).” Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 New Living Translation 2^nd Edition

Isaiah 42 has been called by biblical scholars the first of the five Servant Songs included in the prophecy of Isaiah. These famous Servant Songs are contained within the second great section of Isaiah; some biblical scholars call “Deutero-Isaiah.”[1] In this section called “Deutero Isaiah,” the prophet Isaiah is comforting and encouraging Israelites living in Assyrian and Babylonian captivity in foreign lands. The prophet Isaiah is assuring God’s people living in exile from the Promised Land that the living LORD God has not forgotten His beloved people. Beginning with Isaiah 40, the prophet Isaiah shifts away from judgment and toward comfort, restoration, and compassion of God’s hurting people living in exile. The comfort will come through the living LORD God’s glorious arrival to earth (e.g., see Isaiah 40:3-5). To show His love, the living LORD God through the prophet Isaiah predicts the coming of His Righteous Servant – the Servant of the LORD – that will bring not only Israel deliverance but deliverance, comfort, and hope to all the world!

Isaiah 42 is the first of the famous Isaiah prophecies concerning the “Servant of the LORD” (see Isaiah 42:1-9). Many biblical scholars identify five Servant Songs concerning the famous “Servant of the LORD” in Isaiah’s prophecy. These Servant Songs are found at Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-13; Isaiah 50:4-9; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Isaiah 61:1-3. For some scholars, the Servant Songs are the highpoint of Isaiah’s prophecies. The Servant of the LORD is the One that will ultimately fulfill the mission of Israel.

For centuries, scholars have struggled with identifying the Servant. In the Holy Scriptures, the servant of the LORD has applied to the patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (also known as “Israel”) (e.g., see Exodus 32:13).[2] Also, many other great Old Testament leaders have been identified as the servant of the LORD including Moses (see Numbers 12:7-8), Joshua (see Judges 2:8), and David (see 2 Samuel 7:5; Isaiah 37:35). Some scholars have identified the servant of the LORD as the people of Israel. In his prophecy, Isaiah sometimes identified Israel (Jacob) as the servant of the LORD (Isaiah 41:8-9; Isaiah 44:1-2, 21; Isaiah 45:4; Isaiah 48:20; Isaiah 49:3; see also Luke 1:54). Others think the servant refers to the faithful people of the LORD or the “ideal” people of Israel. Still, others think of the Old Testament prophets as the servant. Throughout the Old Testament, the prophets are identified as servants of the LORD – messengers of Good News (e.g., see Isaiah 20:3; Isaiah 41:27; Jeremiah 7:25; Jeremiah 25:4; Daniel 9:6; Zechariah 1:6). However, others identify anyone who proclaims the living LORD God’s message faithfully as a servant of the LORD (e.g., see Act 13:46-47; Acts 26:16-18).

Also, Isaiah identified Cyrus of Persia (559-530 BC) as a servant of the living LORD God (see Isaiah 45:1-4). In fact, some biblical scholars note that that the prophet Isaiah, who ministered between 740 and 680 BC, called Cyrus by name over a century before he was born (see Isaiah 44:28). The living LORD God called Cyrus from the east to attack from the north and defeat several kingdoms, including Babylon (see Isaiah 41:2, 25; Isaiah 46:11). The living LORD God used Cyrus of Persia to overthrow and punish the Babylonians in 539 BC for their atrocities against His people Israel and to restore His people to His land in Palestine as well as rebuild the Temple (Isaiah 45:13; see also 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4; Ezra 6:3-5). Some scholars call the Israelites returned from Exile by Cyrus a “new Exodus.” The prophecy of Isaiah reveals that the living LORD God is greater than and controls ALL nations and kings of the earth (e.g., see Isaiah 40:12-17). Indeed, the king’s heart is in the hand of the living LORD, and like the rivers of water, the LORD turns it wherever He wishes (see Proverbs 21:1). The living LORD God is sovereign and providential, and only He’s hand controls the world (e.g., see Daniel 4:34-35)!

Another large group of scholars believes that the “Servant of the LORD” is the Messiah (Christ). This Servant is the model Israel (see Isaiah 49:3). Amazingly, the New Testament incorporates the prophecies of Isaiah and identifies Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah and Servant of the LORD. For example, Isaiah 42:1-4 is quoted as fulfilled in Jesus at Matthew 12:18-21. Also, Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is quoted at such New Testament passages as Matthew 8:17, Luke 22:37, John 12:38, Acts 8:32-33, and Romans 10:16 as fulfilled with Jesus’ ministry. In fact, Jesus quoted from Isaiah’s prophecies and identified Himself as the Servant from Isaiah (e.g., see Luke 4:18-21). When Jesus walked the earth, He lived as an obedient Servant of the LORD (e.g., see Matthew 20:28; Luke 22:27; Acts 3:13; Acts 4:27, 30; Philippians 2:7). Importantly, the Gospel writer John states that the prophet Isaiah saw Jesus’ glory centuries earlier (e.g., see Isaiah 6:1; Isaiah 7:14; John 12:41). Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets (see Amos 3:7).

Beginning with the first verse of Isaiah 42, the living LORD God (Yahweh) through the prophet Isaiah promises to send His Servant – the Messiah (Isaiah 42:1; see also Matthew 1:1, 16-17; Matthew 12:18-21). Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean Anointed One or Spirit-Filled. The prophet Isaiah predicts the Servant will be the Chosen One or the Elect of the living LORD God (Isaiah 42:1; see also 1 Peter 2:4, 6). Also, the living LORD God will delight in His Servant and will be pleased with His righteous ways (Isaiah 42:1; see also Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 17:5; Luke 9:35; 2 Peter 1:16-17). Moreover, Isaiah foretells the living LORD God strengthening, protecting, and empowering His Servant with His Spirit – the Spirit of the LORD (Isaiah 42:1, 6; see also Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:18-21; John 3:34-35; Acts 10:38). By His Spirit, the living LORD God will give His Servant to the world as personal confirmation of His covenant with them (Isaiah 42:6 see also Isaiah 49:6, 8). In other words, the Servant will become the living LORD God’s covenant with all the people.

Importantly, Isaiah predicts the Chosen One will reveal and bring the living LORD God’s justice, righteousness, and truth to all nations of the world (Isaiah 42:1, 3-4, 6; see also Isaiah 5:16; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 11:4-5; Jeremiah 23:5-6). In His truth and justice, the prophet Isaiah proclaims God’s Servant will be the Prince of Peace – gentle and quiet, and He will not shout nor quarrel in the streets (Isaiah 42:2-3; see also Isaiah 9:6). Even though the Servant is gentle and quiet, the prophet Isaiah prophesied God’s Servant would encourage the fainthearted and those tempted to despair and depression (see Isaiah 42:3). Even more, God’s Servant will bring forth justice in truth to all who have been wronged, oppressed, and unjustly mistreated (Isaiah 42:3; see also Psalm 9:8; Psalm 72:2, 4). God’s Servant will not be satisfied nor grow weak until truth and justice prevail throughout the earth and every distant land place their trust and hope in Him (Isaiah 42:3-4; see also Psalm 96:13; Isaiah 2:3-4; Matthew 12:21; Matthew 28:18-20). Furthermore, the prophet Isaiah predicts the nations of the world will trust and look to God’s Servant for His teaching and law – Torah (Isaiah 42:4; see also Matthew 5:1-7:28; Luke 6:17-49). Some biblical scholars declare the Servant will be the new Moses (e.g., see Deuteronomy 18:15-18; Acts 3:21-23, 26).

Moreover, God’s Servant shall be a Light to guide the nations to the living LORD God of heaven and earth (Isaiah 42:6; see also Luke 1:79; Luke 2:28-32; John 8:12). God’s Servant will open the eyes of the blind and release those who are bound by the evil one’s darkness and despair, so they too can come to the Light of living LORD God of heaven (Isaiah 42:6-7 see also Isaiah 49:6, 9; Isaiah 61:1-3; Matthew 11:4-6; Matthew 15:29-31; Luke 1:79; Luke 4:18-19; Hebrews 2:14-15). Finally, the living LORD God declares His Servant will bring into the world a new salvation work (Isaiah 42:9; see also Isaiah 43:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Significantly, the living LORD God (Yahweh) through the prophet Isaiah proclaims He and He alone created the heavens and stretched them out and created the earth and all living creatures (Isaiah 42:5; see also e.g., Genesis 1:1, 6; Psalm 136:5-7; Isaiah 40:12-14, 21-22, 26, 28; Isaiah 44:25; Isaiah 45:12, 18; Acts 14:15). Only the living LORD God gives life, breath, and spirit to everyone in all the world (Isaiah 42:5; see also e.g., Genesis 1:27-30; Genesis 2:7; Acts 17:24:25). Moreover, the living LORD God sits above the circle of the earth (e.g., see Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 40:22; Isaiah 66:1-2). He judges all people of the earth – great and small, and He can bring great people of the world to nothing (see Isaiah 40:23-24). Only the living LORD God is all knowing – omniscient – and knows the beginning from the end (e.g., see Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 48:12). No one and no other gods compare to the living LORD God Almighty – the Holy One of Israel (see Isaiah 40:25-26; Isaiah 43:10-11). Furthermore, Isaiah declares that the living LORD God is eternal and everlasting (see Isaiah 40:28). Truly, the living LORD God is the nations’ only King, Ruler, and Redeemer and apart from Him, there is no God (see Isaiah 44:6).

Nevertheless, the living LORD God sees our troubles, and He cares for the brokenhearted and humble (see Isaiah 40:27, 29; Isaiah 41:10, 13; Isaiah 57:15). Those who trust in the living LORD God will find new strength, and they will run and not grow weary nor faint (Isaiah 40:31). The living LORD God – who has unlimited power – gives His power, strength, and wisdom to those who love and trust to Him (see Isaiah 40:29, 31). This concept of “trust in God” is not simply to mark time; rather, it is to live in confident expectations of the living LORD God’s action to solve ALL our problems, worries, and needs not only for Israel but for ALL PEOPLE (e.g., see Isaiah 8:17; Isaiah 25:9; Isaiah 49:23; Isaiah 64:4).

Even more, the living LORD God through His prophet Isaiah proclaims that only He is the LORD (Yahweh) our Savior, and that is His Name (Isaiah 42:8; see also e.g., Exodus 3:15; Exodus 6:2-3; Exodus 20:2; Isaiah 43:3, 11, 15; Isaiah 46:9; Isaiah 49:23). The living LORD God declares He will not give His glory to anyone else nor share His praise with any man-made idols or so-called gods (Isaiah 42:8; see also Exodus 20:3-5; Isaiah 48:11). Only the living LORD God deserves all the glory and the praise! Anyone who places their hope and trust in man-made idols and not the living LORD God of heaven will be greatly disappointed, ashamed, and eventually rejected in disgrace (Isaiah 42:17; see also Psalm 97:7; Isaiah 44:9-11; Isaiah 45:16). The prophet Isaiah promises the living LORD God, who is also a Mighty Warrior, will punish His evil enemies that rebel against Him and trust in their man-made idols, governments, or gods (see Isaiah 42:13-15, 17). Therefore, the prophet Isaiah declares NEVER place your trust in money, career, family, government, or even military power but trust in the living LORD God FIRST and FOREMOST!

Originally, the living LORD God called the nation of Israel to be His light and to proclaim His justice, righteousness, and truth to all nations of the world (Isaiah 5:1-7; Isaiah 42:21-22; see also Genesis 22:18; Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:5-8; Jeremiah 2:21). The living LORD God carried the people of Israel on eagles’ wings and brought Israel to Himself (see Exodus 19:4). The living LORD God gave Israel His righteous covenant and promised Israel if they would obey Him and keep His covenant, Israel would be His own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth (e.g., see Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:9; Titus 2:14). Out of all the nations of the earth, the living LORD God called Israel, who was His vineyard, to be His Kingdom of priests and His holy nation and to proclaim His righteousness standards (Isaiah 5:1-7; see also Exodus 19:5-6; 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10; Revelation 1:5-6).

Instead of righteousness and truth, the people of Israel and Judah did evil and wickedness throughout God’s land, Palestine (Isaiah 5:4, 7, 20-23; see also Isaiah 1:2-4, 16-17, 23). Israel and Judah violated the living LORD God covenant and committed all kinds of evil and unjust behavior, including murder, lies, envy, greed, lust, adultery, pride, and treachery (e.g., see Jeremiah 5:1-2, 7-8, 11, 26-28; Jeremiah 6:13). In fact, the prophet Isaiah called Israel blind and deaf because of their continual disobedience, idolatry, and rebellion against the living LORD God (Isaiah 42:18-19; see also Jeremiah 1:16; Jeremiah 2:4-5, 8, 11, 13, 20, 27, 34; Jeremiah 4:17, 22; Jeremiah 5:6, 23; Ezekiel 12:1-2). Israel and Judah knew the righteousness commands (Torah) of the living LORD God, but they refused to obey Him and His commands (Isaiah 6:9-10; Isaiah 42:20-21; see also Jeremiah 5:20-21). Thus, the living LORD God allowed His people Israel to be robbed, enslaved, imprisoned, trapped, and exiled, with no one to protect them because of their continual disobedience and sins toward Him and His righteous commands (Isaiah 42:22-25; see also Jeremiah 2:17-19). The living LORD God allowed such destructions and wrath against His servant Israel and Judah, so they would REPENT and wholeheartedly turn to Him with all obedience and love (Isaiah 42:9, 25; see also Jeremiah 4:4, 14; Jeremiah 5:3).

Despite Israel and Judah’s punishment, the prophet Isaiah assured God’s people that the living LORD God still loved and cared for them. Israel and Judah’s past failures did not nullify the living LORD God’s love and compassion for His people nor did His judgments for their disobedience reverse His plans for His people (Isaiah 40:1-2; see also Deuteronomy 7:6-8; Jeremiah 29:4-14). The prophet Isaiah assured Israel and Judah that the living LORD God could be trusted to keep and protect them if they would only TRUST and OBEY Him (Isaiah 7:9; see also 2 Chronicles 20:20; Proverbs 3:5-6). Even more, the living LORD God through His servant Isaiah promised to defeat Israel’s enemies, protect Israel from harm, and strengthen them for victory (see Isaiah 41:11-12, 15-16; Isaiah 54:16-17). The living LORD God is Israel’s Redeemer, Ruler, and King (see Isaiah 41:14; Isaiah 43:14-15; Isaiah 54:5).

Therefore, the prophet Isaiah encouraged Israel (and all believers in Jesus, who are incorporated into Israel) to fear not and not be afraid (Isaiah 41:10, 13-14; Isaiah 43:1, 5; Isaiah 44:2, 8; see also Jeremiah 42:11-12). The living LORD God is with Israel and Judah (see Haggai 1:13). Moreover, the prophet Isaiah encouraged EVERYONE – human and animals alike – on the earth to sing a new song onto the living LORD God and sing His praises (see Isaiah 42:10-11). The whole earth is full of the living LORD God’s glory and power (Isaiah 42:12; see also Isaiah 6:3)!  

When the New Testament opens, we see the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah. Jesus is the glory of the LORD (Divine Presence) because He is One with His Father, the living LORD God (e.g., see Isaiah 40:5; Matthew 16:16; Mark 14:62; John 1:14, 18; John 10:30; John 14:9). The living LORD God revealed His glory and salvation through the birth of His Son Jesus over 2000 years ago in the small Jewish Palestine town of Bethlehem (e.g., see Luke 2:4, 8-12; Luke 3:6; John 17:24; 2 Peter 1:16-17; 1 John 4:14). Jesus is the salvation sent from the living LORD God (e.g., see Isaiah 40:3-5; Luke 2:30; John 3:16; Acts 4:10-12). In Jesus’ Name, EVERYONE can find hope because Jesus is the hope of the world (Isaiah 42:4; see also Matthew 12:21). The Apostle Paul states in clear terms: Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (see Philippians 2:11). The Jesus Christ is God with us (e.g., see Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:23)!

References

Amplified Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987).

Apologetics Study Bible: Understanding Why You Believe (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2012).

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Douglas, J.D. and Tenney, Merrill. NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI:  Zondervan, 1989).

Message Bible (Colorado Springs, CO:  NavPress, 2002).

Oswalt, John. The NIV Application Commentary: Isaiah (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003).

Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

The Living Bible Paraphrase (Tyndale House, 1971).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Schwab, George, Senior Professor of Old Testament (Due West Campus, SC: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2018).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – Old Testament (Victor Books, 1989).

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[1] This author acknowledges that some biblical scholars believe that multiple writers are responsible for creating the book of Isaiah. However, this author believes in predictive prophecy and the prophet Isaiah wrote the entire Old Testament book of Isaiah.

[2] The names “Jacob” and “Israel” are often interchanged throughout the Old Testament, referring sometimes to the individual patriarch listed with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and sometimes to the nation Jacob (e.g., see Genesis 32:28; Isaiah 14:1). The living God changed Jacob’s name to Israel, which means “he fights or persists with God” (in prevailing prayer) (see Genesis 32:25-28). Jacob’s divinely given name, “Israel,” indicated that “he struggled with God” and prevailed, growing spiritually in the process. Jacob’s great struggle with God can be found at Genesis 32:22-32.