Behold, The Servant
Isaiah 42:1-9 (ESV):
1Behold 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. 2He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4He will not grow faint or be discouraged[a] till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. 5Thus 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: 6“I am the Lord; I have called you[b] in right eousness; 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, 7to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 8I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. 9Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
Intro: “What is so worthwhile that you are willing to give it your time, talents and energy? What is so significant that you will build your whole life around it? When God calls you to himself, he also calls you to be a servant, an instrument in his re deeming hands.” (Paul David Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands)
The greatest and most honorable calling we can have as believers is to be the servants of God's servant.
To really see what is going on in Isaiah 42, we must see what was happening in Isaiah 41. Isaiah 41 is God’s condemnation of Judah’s Idolatry. Twice, the He brew word “HEN” is used and translated “behold.” What is most significant here is
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that this sets up a pattern God uses to introduce us to His Servant, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 41:24 (ESV)
24Behold, you are nothing, and your work is less than nothing; an abomination is he who chooses you.
Isaiah 41:29 (ESV)
29Behold, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing; their metal images are empty wind.
God clearly makes His point. Regardless of how good the craftsman is who shapes the idol, it is nothing, and the craftsman is nothing. The way in which God proves this is that the One He sends, His Servant, our Lord, is not a dead idol but a powerful servant and specifically one who is sent by the true God.
In Isaiah 41:24, it says, “Behold, the idols!” In 41:29, it states, “Behold, idola try!” In 42:1, it reads, “Behold, my servant.” The servant represents the promise and provision for Israel’s plight.
I. Behold, the Servant (Isaiah 41:1-4)
The first thing that God calls us to do here is to “look at the servant, pay at tention to the servant, to turn away from things that are diverting our gaze from the beautiful servant. Behold (in Hebrew “HEN” – it is a call for immediate percep tion and immediate action).
Why a servant? (Servant Motif) – One of the major themes of Isaiah! • Isaiah 20:3 – My servant Isaiah
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• Isaiah 20:22 – Eliakim, Son of Hilkiah
• Isaiah 37:35 – David my servant
• Isaiah 41:8 – “But you, Israel, my servant.” Israel is called the servant of the Lord
• Abraham – Genesis 26:24
• Moses - Exod 14:31 ; Deut 34:5
• In Philippians 1:1, Paul and Timothy are called servants
• 2 Peter 1:1 – Peter a servant
• James 1:1 – James, a servant of God
• Jesus – “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45)
A servant is someone who can make a difference, connecting him with the people of God throughout history. His name links him to the people of God and signifies his solidarity with all true believers. He represents the ideal servant of God, acting on behalf of Israel in a new and greater way. He obeys where they have disobeyed, trusts where they have doubted, and engages with the world where they have withdrawn. He is the righteous servant of God.
What kind of servant is he? What are his attributes? Characteristics? Why is he the ideal servant?
A. Chosen by God
B. Clothed with the Spirit
C. Commissioned to establish justice
D. Compassionate in manner
E. Committed to completion
What enables him to minister effectively and comfort those who feel bruised or at the end of their ropes? It’s because he himself was bruised,
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crushed, and suffered a painful death. I’ve experienced my own bruises, which allows me to understand yours. He took on our pun ishment to bring about true justice, allowing him to minister to everyone, regardless of their condition (Tim Keller).
We don’t just know this; we have experienced it. He served us by reconcil ing us to the Father and uniting us with Him. The pleasure God has in Jesus is the same pleasure He has in us because we are united with Him. God says, “Behold my servant, in whom my soul delights.” When we look at the servant, we see not a pretender or manipulator, but a true servant—an ideal servant, a servant par excellence! Christ is our model and motivation.
II. Be Like the Servant of God (Isaiah 42:5-9; Matthew 12:17-21)
John Owen, The Glory of Christ (Pp. 158-159)
“Not making Christ and His service the main business of our lives is another evidence of spiritual decay in the soul. If men devote themselves to the affairs of the world, being ruled and controlled by worldly concerns, only occasionally do ing Christ's service, it is foolish to say that following Him is their chief business. What place does Christ's service play in your life? Is it your chief joy? Do you only patronize it occasionally?”
A. Competence
B. Character
C. Care
In Christ, we behold the Servant and become like Him. We are Spirit-filled, justice-minded, and compassion-driven, called to serve with competence, charac ter, and care until the nations see His light. SDG!