The Servant (Isaiah 42:1-9)
The first of four poems about a Servant, that is the Messiah figure promised in the scripture of the Old Testament and revealed in the New Testament to be Jesus. There are four of these “Servant Songs.” (Isaiah 42:1-9; 49:1-13; 50:4-9; and 52:13-53:12) Other people and groups of people are referred to as “servant” in this part of Isaiah, and this Servant is sometimes called Israel, making it a confusing poetic picture to unravel at first. However, thousands of years of reading the text help us. Not to mention, the interpretive work of the Apostles who learned from Jesus Himself.
This Servant, the Messiah, is unlike the empty, powerless idols that the nations turn to for power and protection. He is different from any other being. His is upheld by YHWH, He has His Spirit. He is called and kept by God. He is the new covenant for all peoples. He will open blind eyes, both physical and spiritual. He will free prisoners, both physical and spiritual. He will finally bring justice to this broken world.
How He will do this, however, is the surprising part. He will do so quietly. Imperceptibly even. Now, 2,000 years after the cross, the change is visible, but Jesus was subtle. And, even though the change is not complete, His way of working still shocks. Isaiah describes His approach as gentle and soft. He will not break a bruised reed. He will not snuff a glowing wick. His justice will not harm those who are suffering from the injustices in the world.
The Messiah envisioned in Isaiah, and throughout the Old Testament, is not a powerful alpha male figure. He is a gentle yet unstoppable power unlike any of the flashy yet ineffective idols the world has ever offered.
This Servant, the Messiah, is unlike the empty, powerless idols that the nations turn to for power and protection. He is different from any other being. His is upheld by YHWH, He has His Spirit. He is called and kept by God. He is the new covenant for all peoples. He will open blind eyes, both physical and spiritual. He will free prisoners, both physical and spiritual. He will finally bring justice to this broken world.
How He will do this, however, is the surprising part. He will do so quietly. Imperceptibly even. Now, 2,000 years after the cross, the change is visible, but Jesus was subtle. And, even though the change is not complete, His way of working still shocks. Isaiah describes His approach as gentle and soft. He will not break a bruised reed. He will not snuff a glowing wick. His justice will not harm those who are suffering from the injustices in the world.
The Messiah envisioned in Isaiah, and throughout the Old Testament, is not a powerful alpha male figure. He is a gentle yet unstoppable power unlike any of the flashy yet ineffective idols the world has ever offered.
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