Today in Isaiah 42:1-4 we are going to have The LORD’s Servant, which of course is Jesus Christ. From verses 5-16 the servant comes to glorify the LORD. And from verses 17-25 is Israel’s suffering is a result of sin. Isa.42 and verse 1 reads.
Isa.42:1] Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
After we read verses 1-4, we will go to Matthew 12, but for now we can take it verse by verse, we have so much here in today’s lesson. Now, let’s go to Mic.4 and verse 2 reads.
Mic.4:2] And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Emmanuel (God with us) has come and the whole world has mercy on repentance. Let’s go to Luke 24 and verse 47 reads.
Luke 24:47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
God’s mercy and compassion for the whole world had come after the crucifixion. Back to Isa.42 and verse 2 reads.
Isa.42:2] He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
[3] A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
Only Christ can do this. He came not empty, but full of power and might.
Isa.42:4] He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
Prophesied by Moses in Genesis 49 and verse 10 reads.
Gen.49:10] The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Now, Jesus himself taught us and reminded us what Isaiah said in Mat.12 and we’ll pick it up in verse 17 and it reads.
Mat.12:17] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
This verse among many others proves that Isaiah was the author of the book Isaiah after chapter 40, whereas the critics say, Isaiah didn’t write from chapters 40-66.
Mat.12:18] 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.
The gentiles have always been given a hard time with the tribe of Judah. But, as we have read, even Moses had promised salvation for all of God’s children and this includes the gentiles. Jesus was speaking of himself in Mat.12, but notice he was quoting Isaiah. Now we come to The servant (Jesus) comes to glorify God. Back to Isa.42 and verse 5 reads.
Isa.42:5] Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
The LORD did this. All blessings come from God through the works of Jesus Christ. To all that walk in the way of Jesus. Let’s go to Acts 17 and verse 24 reads.
Acts 17:24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
[25] Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
[26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
It is our duty to teach salvation, Jesus, to all of God’s children including the gentiles. Back to Isa.42 and verse 6 reads.
Isa.42:6] I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
The LORD is speaking to Jesus here, don’t lose track. This covenant is important for all to understand. It begins in the Old Testament as an alliance between God and man. But, because man could not keep the laws and the blood ordinance could no longer cover the sins of the people, the LORD gave himself for a sacrifice. That with his blood, we could repent and be forgiven. Jesus is that Light that all could see and come to, even the gentiles. Let’s never forget John 3:16, we will pick it up with verse 15 and it reads.
John 3:15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
This is the New Covenant, that through repentance all are forgiven. Back to Isa.42 and verse 7 reads.
Isa.42:7] To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
God is still speaking to Jesus, he will do these things. Jesus did heal the blind but here he is talking about opening the spiritual eyes. And these prisoners are not those in actual prison, but those who did not overcome in the flesh and are on the other side of the gulf. That darkness is what is being said here. Let’s go to 1Pet.3 and verse 18 reads.
1Pet.3:18] For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
[19] By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
You see all those who died before Christ was crucified had no salvation in the flesh. They were on the other side of the gulf. But, after Christ was crucified, while he was yet in the tomb, he went over and many believed on him and were saved. Our God is a loving God, and he loves all his children. Back to Isa.42 and verse 8 reads.
Isa.42:8] I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
False idols and false gods anger the LORD.
Isa.42:9] Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Did not Jesus tell us in Mark 13 this, verse 23 reads.
Mark 13:23] But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
We are talking about his word, Jesus being the word is saying; haven’t you read? All things have been declared in the law and prophets. Let’s never forget 1Cor.10 and verse 11 reads.
1Cor.10:11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
This is why we study the Old with the New, all things were prophesied of and are our examples for the end times. Back to Isa.42 and verse 10 reads.
Isa.42:10] Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
This would be the Song of Moses (Deu.32). Rev.15 and verse 3 reads.
Rev.15:3] And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
[4] Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
This made manifest is; is made known. Written in his word for our knowledge to be understood. The song of the Lamb, is the whole word of God, for Jesus is the Living Word. Back to Isa.42 and verse 11 reads.
Isa.42:11] Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
Kedar is said here for those of dark skin. All are included as God’s children.
Isa.42:12] Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
[13] The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
Let’s go to Exodus 15 and verse 1 reads.
Exo.15:1] Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
[2] The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
[3] The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
Don’t let anyone tell you God is only peace, for He is a man of war, and He will have his victory. Back to Isa.42 and verse 14 reads.
Isa.42:14] I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
The LORD is very patient, but there will come a day, the LORD’s Day. And after we will go into the third and final earth age where there is no evil. The travailing woman brings on a new earth age.
Isa.42:15] I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
[16] And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
Spiritually all will know the truth, we are speaking of the millennium here. All are in the spiritual body and nothing is hidden. Now from here to the end we have; Israel’s suffering is the result of sin.
Isa.42:17] They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
Let’s go to Psalms 97 and verse 6 reads.
Psa.97:6] The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
[7] Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
Back to Isaiah 42 and verse 18 reads.
Isa.42:18] Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
[19] Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’s servant?
Notice this is a question. Let’s go to John 9 where we learn of spiritual eyes and ears being opened.
John 9:39] And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
[40] And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Now these Pharisees were with them that kicked out the blind man, who Jesus healed, from the synagogue for speaking truth. And here is Jesus’s judgement.
John 9:41] Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
Those who claim to see (spiritually) and do not, their sins remain. They are unrepentant. Back to Isa.42 and verse 20 reads.
Isa.42:20] Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
He can’t see what’s happening around him in the world today. Paul taught this in Romans chapter 2 very well, too long to go through now, but find time to read it when you can.
Isa.42:21] The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
Jesus also taught this in Mat.5 and verse 17 reads.
Mat.5:17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
[18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
[19] Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Run from anyone that tells you we are not under law any more, they are a false teacher and a liar. Back to Isa.42 and verse 22 reads.
Isa.42:22] But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
Ensnared with lies and spoiled with usury. Remember we are talking about Israel’s sufferings is a result of their sins.
Isa.42:23] Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
We can, God’s elect.
Isa.42:24] Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
Let’s go to Isaiah 65 and read from verse 2.
Isa.65:2] I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
[3] A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;
[4] Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
[5] Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
[6] Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,
[7] Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.
[8] Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
[9] And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
Israel sinned, and fell away from God on countless occasions. There will be another when all will fall away and worship the antichrist thinking he is the real Christ, simply because they never read his word. Back to Isa.42 and verse 25 reads.
Isa.42:25] Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.
And we learn that some will never repent. I say, pour it out LORD, pour it out. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible