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Overview

The prophet Isaiah is highlighting the unique ministry of the Messiah. Furthermore, this is the first time in Isaiah he is described as the “Servant of the Lord”. The existential question is always present, “Will Israel, the people of God, listen?” 

Isaiah 42:1-4

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.

Here we are introduced to “the Servant”. Not the Warrior. Not the General. Not the King. The Servant. Jesus came to serve. Jesus came to fulfill the eternal will of the Godhead. But “the Servant” was unique. He will have the Holy Spirit upon Him. He will be bruised, but He will not break. He will bring the right hand of justice. His impact will be global. And yet—He will accomplish all of this with the mindset, the posture, the heart of a servant. 

This should remind the follower of Jesus that our impact must be through the lens of servanthood. Let us not forget the words of Philippians 2:5-8. 

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:5-8)

Jesus changed the world as a servant. But His servanthood requires all of Him—ultimately, taking His life. The path of the Christian is no different. The mandate of servanthood is carrying your cross. And for the chosen few, it will demand full payment. 

Isaiah 42:5-7

Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

This was the mission for Israel. They were called to be a light to the nations. This light was meant to heal their blindness, to release them from their spiritual prison. But Israel and Judah failed. Thankfully, though, out of that broken nation—the true Israelite, the Messiah emerged. He will be the light of the world. He will open the eyes of the blind. He will break their spiritual chains. He will set them free. 

Now, the church, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, are called to be “a light to the world”. The question is not, “Are you a light?”. As a follower of Jesus, you are a light whether you like it or not. The question is, “Are you living as a light?” 

Isaiah 42:18-20

Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see! Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as my dedicated one, or blind as the servant of the Lord? He sees many things, but does not observe them; his ears are open, but he does not hear.

It is interesting the shift here. Isaiah still references a “servant”, but this is not referring to the Messiah, he is now referring to Israel. Notice Israel is deaf and blind. Let’s be honest—someone who is deaf and blind would be a terrible messenger, if that was their main task as a servant. And that was God’s point! Israel was deaf, not listening to the voice of God. Israel was blind, not able to see the power and majesty of God. Therefore, Israel failed as a servant, as a messenger of the revelation of God. 

Be honest. Are you choosing to be deaf? Blind? Sometimes we are truly ignorant, but most of the time we know what God wants—we just choose to act like we can’t hear God or we choose to turn a blind eye. Choose today to listen to God. Choose today to see His blessings and His loving rebukes. You won’t regret it.