The Servant: Exalted (Isaiah 52:13-15)

The Servant, God’s revelation of the Messiah to come, is described in this last Servant Song. It is a striking revelation. The Servant will prosper and succeed in His mission. This is the Arm of YHWH that the people had prayed for before. God’s plan is to save His people, a people from all nations, but not in a way anyone could have anticipated. He is going to be raised, lifted up, and exalted. However, shockingly, He will be disfigured and marred beyond human recognition. It is hard to read this today without thinking of the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah’s song goes on. The Servant will “sprinkle” the nations. This is the language of sacrifice. Exodus and Leviticus instruct the priests to sprinkle the blood of the sacrifices on the altar and on garments to consecrate them. The blood of the Servant will be sprinkled on people from all nations, saving them. The nations will be shocked into awe at the realization of what has been done. This song is clear today but would have been strange to Isaiah’s readers. One wonders what Jews make of this text in our post-Jesus times.