Today’s Scripture comes from the Book of Isaiah, and contains his second of four “Servant Songs”, songs or poems in the Old Testament book, describing the Servant of Yahweh, the Messiah. This particular Servant Song speaks of the mission or work of the Messiah, from eternity past to His future glory. As we look briefly into this Scripture, we will read of His divine calling, His mission both to Israel and also to the Gentiles, His apparent rejection, and then His ultimate vindication and glory.
Our Scripture begins with God calling His Servant, the Messiah, from before He was born (vs. 1). There were several people throughout the Bible whom God had called before they were born, whom He had set apart for a specific task that He desired for them. The prophet Jeremiah was one (Jeremiah 1:5). The Apostle Paul was another (Galatians 1:15-16). God knows each one of us from the moment of our conception, and even before then. He knew each of us when we were being formed inside our mothers (Psalm 139:13-16). Jesus was no different. God had called Him from eternity past, from before He was conceived in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and set Him aside for His special mission as Savior, giving Him the Name of Jesus. Christ’s mission was never an afterthought. Redemption was planned from eternity.
As we read on, we see that God’s Words were spoken by the Messiah (vs. 2). He placed His Words in His mouth. The words that we speak can be powerful. However, God’s Word is not just powerful, it is alive, and it is sharper than a two-edged sword, cutting deep within the heart and soul of those who hear it (Hebrews 4:12). When Jesus came to earth, He didn’t bulldoze His way through the world as a political force. Instead, His weapon is His Word, the Bible. It is like the polished shaft of a javelin or spear, kept in perfect condition and ready to use. Jesus’ ministry was perfectly aimed and perfectly timed. The power of His ministry lies in the truth He speaks, and the Words of Jesus still pierce hearts today, turning lives around.
Jesus was the ideal Servant of God, fulfilling the Law perfectly, and through Him God is glorified. However, from a human perspective it might look as if He failed in His mission (vs. 3-4). Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth, but was rejected by the people He came to redeem (John 1:11). From a human perspective, His ministry might seem to have been unsuccessful. We need to remember, though, that faithfulness is not measured by visible results. Jesus was faithful, and entrusted His work to the Father. He models perfect trust in God’s plan.
The Servant’s first mission was to restore the nation of Israel to God (Matthew 15:24). Though some did come to faith, Israel as a whole rejected their Messiah (vs. 5). That rejection, though, did not cancel God’s plan. God’s Servant is glorious in His eyes, and His mission cannot be diminished by human unbelief. Even when people resist His purposes, those purposes and plans will never fail. When the people of Israel rejected the Messiah, God expanded His mission to the Gentile nations (vs. 6). The Gospel message is a global one, as Jesus is the only Savior for the whole world.
In our final verse, we see that God’s Holy One, the Redeemer, is despised by man and abhorred by the nations, but He is still God’s Servant (vs. 7). Kings and princes, the rulers of the world, will see Him when He returns, and they will stand in awe. They will know that the Lord Jesus is exalted, and though they have refused to willingly bow to Him, there is coming a day when they will be forced to bow their knee and confess Him as Lord (Philippians 2:9-11). Their rejection of Jesus is temporary, but His glory is eternal.
This concludes God’s second Servant Song in Isaiah. We have seen in this Scripture that Jesus was not merely a man chosen by God, He is the eternal Son sent by the Father. He fulfilled His twofold mission of restoring Israel and bringing salvation to the Gentiles. Though it might have looked like a less-than successful mission, as He was despised at His first coming, Jesus will be exalted at His second. God’s plan is bigger than what we can initially see. Jesus will be vindicated, and so will all those who put their faith and trust in Him.
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