Bible Studies

The Arrival of The Servant

by Henry Jaegers
08/05/25
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Isaiah Chapter 42

The Arrival of “The Servant”

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aUfvNJJJSJ1SKqs6E0rTxoj6j5QaMP0q/view?usp=sharing

In the previous chapter, we closed by declaring a former time when a prophet was announced that would come and bring glad tidings from Zion. And now before us is a description of that one described as “My Servant.”

In the second section of this book, more will be told as he will be addressed as “The Deliverer.” But for Now, we see him described as “My Servant.” And what are we told about Him?

  The Servant Described (Verses  1 through 4)

 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.  He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.  A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he has set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.  Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth.

This servant will be as none other. He will come gently as a shepherd. He will become the deliverer, but now as a gentle shepherd. The people may expect their future deliverer to be a mighty conqueror but He will come clothed at first as a shepherd. His authority will be characterized by peace. He will be in the form of a servant to God first. God will give him his authority, but He will arrive as a shepherd is to the sheep. He is chosen above all men and his mission cannot be performed by another. He delights the heart of God because of His complete obedience in fulfilling the purposes of God.

I have put my spirit upon him:

He is often referred to as " The Anointed One." Rightly so. He will be empowered to do God's work effectively and efficiently. That means that He shall not Fail. Although a man outwardly, he will not be like any man. He is one who will experience all the frailties of a man, but because He will have this special anointing by God, he will not give in to the pressure that temptation places upon Him.

he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

This will be good news to the Israelites because it was the Gentiles who caused all of their suffering. Perhaps, divine retribution upon their enemies. But the word "Judgement can also refer to His Justice. There are gentiles who may be worthy of God's mercy, and for them, God's justice will include His mercy. We find several times in the earlier chapters of this book where mercy and pardon are offered even to God's enemies. God Loves Jews and Gentiles alike and knows perfectly who they are. He exercises justice to those who he deems as worthy.

  He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.  A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he has set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.  

These verses describe the manner of His coming. He will not arrive loud and boisterous and scare people away for those he came to minister. Indeed his manner will not be as one as a warrior intending to take men captive. His gentleness will be the reason for His appeal. He is compared to a gentle breeze that brings refreshment but does not disturb a broken reed or smoking flax ready to die out. A word that describes his peaceful approach to everything. A servant from God with the intent of ruling in a totally different manner than that of men.

He may receive opposition, but he will never become discouraged in His Mission. That means that we can count on him to follow through, despite what distractions may be thrown His way. His kingdom will be one of Trueth, and even the Gentiles who operate with no law shall delight for God's law to be established.

The Mission of the Servant. (Verses 5 Through 8)

 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:  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; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Consider first, the greatness of the one who sent Him.

 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 Servant is the perfect reflection of the one who sent him, issuing forth in perfect Love and Mercy. From the beginning of the creation, the arrival of His servant was in the mind of God. Then we must consider for what purpose this servant was sent. Consider:

  I the Lord have called thee in righteousness.

What does that mean? It means first, that righteousness describes the Character of God. It is a simple word that describes so much. And the God of righteousness has called His servant to declare and reflect the righteousness of His father. But that is not all. The arrival of the servant makes it possible for men entrapped in darkness, to experience that righteousness for themselves, making us His righteous servants. Righteousness describes the Character of God being formed in His people. Then, observe:

 and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.

He will not be hindered from His purpose. God will keep Him and protect him and fulfill his plan. He will fulfill the covenant made long ago before men understood how it would be fulfilled and in the process, He will give light to the Gentiles.

In case anyone should forget, it was the nation of Israel that God intended to give light to the Gentiles. And in case they fail to deliver, God will enable that light to shine in a different way, and it will result in a New people who shall manifest His righteousness. The Servant will be the means by which God's true righteousness will be revealed. Next, notice:

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

How might we understand this for the times in which we live? Some of these havebeen fulfilled during the times when Jesus ministered in the flesh. But is there another way that we might understand this application to our modern times?

When the Angel announced The Birth of Jesus, that He would save His people from their sins, it meant far more than the sins committed in the past. There is another power that we must be victorious over.  It is the man called "Self" who is the cause of all of our problems. When God said that He would open the eyes of the blind, in a larger sense it means that He will give us eyes to see and understand. Opening the prison house refers to the habits and corrupt desires of which we find no power to resist or overcome. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, we gain wisdom and power to be overcomers of this slavery.

Finally, consider: I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

He reminds us often that He is the Lord and will tolerate no other god. He is a jealous God. That has nothing to do with selfishness on His part, but rather a reminder that he is the owner due to His providing redemption for us. He is still the God of Love and because He has purchased us, He has the right to receive our devotion and commitment. He is the Lord!

A Reason for Singing (Verses 9 Through 17)

 Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.  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.

Imagine those living in Babylon, hearing these words. Before they come to pass, God intends for them to take place. Here are words of encouragement, urging them not to give up. This is not their final end. Consider the words spoken by Jeremiah as they were about to enter Babylon: " I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord. Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to bring you to an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11) But for the present, cleansing and discipline are first necessary before the blessing can occur.

In Psalm 126, a description is given, displaying the great joy as they are about to discover the promise of deliverance being fulfilled. Truly, this is a reason for rejoicing.

 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. Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise in the islands.

The lands that experienced destruction and desolation shall be replenished. Those who fled to the rocks and mountains in hiding will no longer need to fear. There is now a reason to rejoice and give glory to God, for He has kept His promises and brought forth deliverance from desolation.

 The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up zeal like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. I have long time held my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.

Although it may seem like God has forgotten His promises to deliver, he is also wise and patient in the time of his deliverance. The word of comfort is two-fold. First, that God is still fighting for them and the battle will be won. But his time for such action is in His hands. While judgment awaits wickedness, Hare mercy still prevails and His ways and timing is still perfect, though our understanding may not be.

  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.  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.

In these words, it appears that God will make the lands of their enemies to dry up and causing to become places that will make their deliverance easier. It is a promise that even in the land that once made travel difficult, God will make it possible for their journey to be one of success.

  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.

A comparison is made with those who trust in vain and empty imaginations. Their false God can only produce a hope that they cannot fulfill. Then consider the living God, who is able to deliver what He promises. Faith in these false Gods can only bring disappointment. But faith in the living God brings Joy, peace, and inward confidence.

 The Impartial Treatment From the Servant (Verses 18 through 21)

 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.  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?  Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.  The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable. 

The first thing of note is the message of encouragement to those who had not the advantage of hearing or seeing. That applies both physically and Spiritually.

We have seen this fulfilled many times throughout the earthly ministry of our Lord.

In this verse, there seem to be two thoughts implied, though not stated. The first seems to be in the matter of identification. He in his humanity experienced the full impact of the sufferings of humanity in His body.

But there seems to be another thought here. It refers to this servant having the ability to execute perfect justice for all. His kindness is not mixed with prejudice, but is exercised o matter how harsh the past has been. He removes our iniquity as far as the East is from the West and remembers them no more.

He is the "Good Shepherd" and his Goodness is ministered in a way that brings glory to God. And to those who are in darkness, he offers hope to restore to wholeness, that which they never experienced before.

 The Reason for Their Captivity(Verses 22 through 25)

 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.  Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?  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.  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.

The people cannot blame their present plight on God. They have experienced the fruit of their own wickedness, Yet there is an opportunity for them to experience God's mercy. We find these words calling them to repentance. "Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come? "

Perhaps the New Testament helps us to more fully understand this invitation. "If any man has ears to hear, let him Hear what the Spirit has to say." Is there anyone among them who is paying attention to God's call?g attention to God's Call?