December 16, 2002
Jan. 6
___Isaiah 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-11
A light to the nations
___By Bill Roe
___As we consider the title of this lesson, we are reminded that darkness is the opposite of light. Scripture reminds us the people walked in darkness, seeking the light. The light came to the world in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
___Many years before the Light came, God inspired the prophet Isaiah to give enlightening details concerning the arrival of God's Son as a human. The Scripture passages for this week's lesson assist us in knowing him, God in the flesh.
___Four passages in Isaiah have been identified as the "Servant Songs." Three of these passages comprise our study today, with the fourth passage the subject of next week's study.
___Scholars long have sought to identify the person named as the "Servant." Some have suggested the nation of Israel, using Isaiah 41:8-9 as proof. Others have indicated that Cyrus, ruler of the Medo-Persian empire, mentioned in Isaiah 44:28-45:1, is the Servant. The third named person is Jesus.
___As we study these three passages, it becomes very evident to us that Jesus Christ is the Servant because of the use of the singular, personal pronouns--"my," "him," "his," "he"--in our Scripture passage, and because no other person or nation has the attributes ascribed to Jesus alone.
___The Servant of the
___Lord (Isaiah 42:1-4)
___Verse 1 identifies the Servant by the word "my," indicating ownership, and again as the one chosen for the task, who brings joy to his master. He receives the Father's spirit, which ultimately qualified him for the task, which is to bring salvation to all nations. (The King James Version uses the word "Gentiles.") This passage is quoted in Matthew 3:17-21 as proof to those receiving his message that Jesus Christ was indeed the long-promised Messiah.
___Verses 2 and 3 paint a word picture, indicating the servant will not call attention to himself, but quietly fulfill his responsibility. He will deal gently with "a bruised reed" rather than breaking it, giving strength where needed.
___A just-lighted candle barely burning will be fanned to a brighter flame. Verse 4 assures the believer he will not desert the task before it is completed. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of this prophecy of Isaiah.
___The Servant is a light
___to the nations (49:1-6)
___The personal pronoun used in this passage identifies the speaker as the Servant. Use of the words "listen" and "pay attention" make us aware of the importance of his message.
___The use of "isles" or "islands" in verse 1 is considered as reference to the Gentiles (Genesis 10:5) or those outside the kingdom.
___This is the most difficult of the Servant Songs to properly interpret since Israel is named in verse 3. When the complete passage is studied, however, it is apparent Israel will be a part of the kingdom, being saved not by adherence to Old Testament law, but by salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, the Servant. Stating that he will show his glory through them, could this refer to the fact that while Israel has not fulfilled its calling to be a blessing to all the nations, God's love for them still stands?
___His word picture is most expressive. In verse 1, he makes reference to being called and named in the womb (Matthew 1:21). In verses 2-3, he indicates God has fitted him for service with a tongue like a sharp (two-edged) sword and a polished arrow (shaft) and has concealed him, perhaps an indication of the later revelation of salvation for the Gentiles.
___In verse 4, the Servant foretells the ministry of the Lord being rejected, as we know Jesus was, but comforts himself with the knowledge that his work was of the Lord. In verse 5, the Lord reminds the Servant that even though Israel (Jacob) does not respond by returning to the Father, he will still be glorified.
___We must remember that Jesus on Earth first sent out the disciples to the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 10:6). This servant passage closes in verse 6 with the glorious statement that not only is the Servant to restore Israel to the Lord, but he is to be a light to the Gentiles and to the "end of the Earth."
___The Servant is
___obedient (50:4-11)
___This passage is generally considered the third of the servant passages, although the term "servant" is not used. The first two passages emphasize the servant's mission. This passage speaks of his obedience and steadfast endurance in spite of persecution. Some have called this the "Gethsemane of the Servant."
___It seems to be a parodox. How can the one who is so persecuted himself be of assistance to Israel who is in exile in Babylon? Then we remember we are more responsive to advice from one who has walked the same path and experienced the same difficulties as we have. The author of Hebrews reminds us our Messiah has endured every situation that we will experience in life--yet without sin (Hebrews 4:14-15).
___In verses 4-5, we find the servant is teachable as a disciple, sensitive to every divine impulse and word. Therefore, he has both the tongue and ear of a true disciple. This has not happened automatically, but has been a daily learning experience. Obedience and patience have been required through this learning experience. The end result is he might be able to sustain the weary one with a word.
___Speaking the word of the Lord is not always well received, and verse 6 speaks of the abuse and punishment that comes as a result of the servant's obedience. It is a striking picture of our Lord's persecution during his crucifixion.
___Verses 7-9 speak of the Servant's assurance of the present assistance of the Lord and the end result of vindication. The language used is that of the court of law. The final result is the enemy will perish like a moth-eaten garment.
___This sublime statement reminds us of the words of Paul, "if God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).
___The consequences of belief and unbelief close this third servant song in verses 10-11. The Servant speaks first of the person who is serving the Lord, but yet has no light but darkness. But the implication as we view this statement in light of all Scripture is that respect and obedience to the Lord provide the only way to life.
___Contrast that to the promise that those who "walk by the light of your own fire" shall lie down in torment. In these two verses, those who listen to the prophet are confronted with two alternatives: They must either walk in the light of faith, or else perish in the fires of destruction.
___Conclusions
___These Servant Songs written hundreds of years before the birth of Christ remind us that the coming of Christ was not an afterthought of the Lord, but the fulfillment of the plan that began with creation. It is a reinforcement of our personal belief that Jesus Christ was indeed the Son of God who came as a man to live a perfect life and die a substitutionary death in order to provide life eternal for all who acknowledge and confess their sins and accept the salvation purchased on the cross by Jesus Christ.
___Our lesson title, "A light to the nations," reminds us of Isaiah's prophecy in 9:2: "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light." Matthew 4:16 repeats this passage in reference to the ministry of Jesus.
___Walking in darkness often is dangerous, and nearly always frightening. In the days before homes had electricity, a father instructed his 10-year-old son to go down to the barn and check to see that all the stalls were properly latched. The son expressed reticence to do so since it was late in the evening and a dark night. The father lit a lantern, walked to the edge of the porch, handed the lantern to his son and encouraged him to take a step off the porch.
___"How far can you see, son?"
___"About two steps in front of me."
___"Son, walk to the barn one step at a time, and you will never be in the dark."
___Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that we are to be "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). He was and is our "light," and we are to walk in the light of his word, and to be messengers of light in a dark and troubled world.
___We can identify with the statement of Paul in Acts 13:47: "For so the Lord has commanded us, 'I have placed you as a light to the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the end of the Earth.'"
___Questions for discussion
___ Reviewing the passages, list reasons why you believe the Servant is describing Jesus, not Israel or Cyrus.
___ In what way do these Servant passages affect you as you walk day by day with the Lord?
___ Did the Servant passages have any effect upon the nation of Israel? You must reflect upon the New Testament in giving an answer.
___ These passages define the call of the Servant. Do you believe all Christians have a specific calling? Explain.
___ Thinking about the Sermon on the Mount, how do you relate your task in life to
___that of the Servant of these passages?
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