Isaiah 53a Commentary
The LORD will wash away the filth of the women of Zion. This would be the function of the Branch. Chapter 4.
In response to King Ahaz’s fear of an imminent military attack on Jerusalem, the LORD speaks of Immanuel – God with Us. Chapter 7
Chapter 9 is even more beautiful! “The people walking in darkness have a great light.” For to us, a child is born. The government will be on His shoulders. He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end.
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight.” This is Chapter 42 describing the Servant of the LORD. The LORD puts His Spirit on Him. He brings justice to the nations
Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted His people. He has redeemed Jerusalem. Chapter 52 introduces us to the Servant-cum-King.
Chapter 53 gives us more details, and it is breathtaking! Probably no human hand would fully capture the glory of what the Servant means to humanity!
Yes, He establishes His own Kingdom. He brings justice to the nations. He brings salvation – the history-long blessing to the nations.
But how? Who can guess? It is an exam we hardly pass!
Who would have thought God’s saving power would look like this? Nothing attractive about His appearance; looked down on and passed over. Many still think He is a scam and a scandal to the meaning of salvation!
But our sins did that to Him. He took the punishment of us all. Through His bruises, we get our healing.
The LORD had promised that He would make Jerusalem secure and no one would disturb her again. Now we understand how. The sinful city would be secure because the Servant would be punished for Jerusalem’s sins – a grave that is ours becomes His. The righteous would suffer for the unrighteous – taking up the cause of the black sheep.
All of this is God’s master plan of salvation. The Servant becomes the redeemer. He is the Way, the Life, and the Truth.
Isaiah constantly challenges our view of salvation. Chapter 49 presents us with a complicated picture of the relationship between the saved and the Savior. The Servant, together with the saved, appears to share the same space. They function from the same rule book. It is clear to the New Testament reader that the Servant has extended His role, in part, to the saint. “What you have seen and heard, go and do. Go and become. Go and testify.
Let an individual ponder the need for salvation and the means provided by the LORD. With this provision, no one ever needs to be a black sheep. No one should actually end up in hell. Think about it.
As ever in this volume, the tone is a mass confusion of the past, the present, and the future.
The Servant’s work is located somewhere in the past, even for this volume. The Servant’s work remains relevant for individuals in every generation, hence its location in the present.
And there is a “tomorrow” for mortals, both past and present. The Servant’s work operates in the past, in the present, and in the future! It’s a timeless presence!
More resources visit https://www.lovingscripture.com
