Read: Isaiah 50:4-9a
This passage from Isaiah reads like a prophesy about an ideal, and obedient servant of God. This was at a time in Biblical history when the Israelites had been repeatedly disobedient to God’s instructions and commandments, were repeatedly rebellious and had not been the servants God intended them to be, and they underwent decades of sufferings as a result.
Contrary to Israel who regularly closed their ears to God’s word and filled their mouths with foolish and blasphemous words, this servant appears to have been prophesied in the texts to be receptive to God’s word. This receptivity was due to God’s grace, according to the texts, for it was “the Sovereign Lord” who “wakens my ear to listen…” Because of his open ears, this servant has “an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.”
Thus, this prophesy is about the coming of Jesus, the servant who has “not been rebellious; [who] has not drawn back” from following the word of God. Indeed, verse 7b reads, he (i.e. the servant) has “set his face like flint” to obey God, even if it leads to shame, unjust punishment, and death on the cross. He was determined to obey his Father’s will to the bitter end.
And, yes, his end was bitter, as verses 6-9a predict. In addition to fully obeying God’s will, this servant was predicted to suffer as though he had been disobedient. But he will suffer not merely as a helpless victim of cruelty and injustice, but even more as a willing sacrifice of himself. Thus, “I offered my back and my cheeks… I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.” He faced those who condemned him without flinching and looking away. “Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!” His suffering was an act of willing obedience. Jesus (the faithful and obedient servant of God) though had control and could have saved himself from attacks and abuse, he endured the sufferings so that the disobedient servants (like us) could be saved and freed from the bondage of sin.
Ola Oyefusi
This passage from Isaiah reads like a prophesy about an ideal, and obedient servant of God. This was at a time in Biblical history when the Israelites had been repeatedly disobedient to God’s instructions and commandments, were repeatedly rebellious and had not been the servants God intended them to be, and they underwent decades of sufferings as a result.
Contrary to Israel who regularly closed their ears to God’s word and filled their mouths with foolish and blasphemous words, this servant appears to have been prophesied in the texts to be receptive to God’s word. This receptivity was due to God’s grace, according to the texts, for it was “the Sovereign Lord” who “wakens my ear to listen…” Because of his open ears, this servant has “an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.”
Thus, this prophesy is about the coming of Jesus, the servant who has “not been rebellious; [who] has not drawn back” from following the word of God. Indeed, verse 7b reads, he (i.e. the servant) has “set his face like flint” to obey God, even if it leads to shame, unjust punishment, and death on the cross. He was determined to obey his Father’s will to the bitter end.
And, yes, his end was bitter, as verses 6-9a predict. In addition to fully obeying God’s will, this servant was predicted to suffer as though he had been disobedient. But he will suffer not merely as a helpless victim of cruelty and injustice, but even more as a willing sacrifice of himself. Thus, “I offered my back and my cheeks… I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.” He faced those who condemned him without flinching and looking away. “Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!” His suffering was an act of willing obedience. Jesus (the faithful and obedient servant of God) though had control and could have saved himself from attacks and abuse, he endured the sufferings so that the disobedient servants (like us) could be saved and freed from the bondage of sin.
Ola Oyefusi