Read Isaiah 42:1-17.

Introduction⤒🔗

This present passage of Scripture begins with the LORD pointing us to His Servant, whom the New Testament reveals to be the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is a striking parallel between Isaiah 42:1 (Look at my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I will put my Spirit upon him) and the account of Jesus’ baptism. On that occasion Jesus is identified as the beloved Son with whom the Father is well pleased and the One upon whom the Father puts the Holy Spirit:

And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, saying, 'You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.' Lk. 3:22

The LORD issues the command, and invitation, “Look at my servant!”

Do we need to hear and obey this divine commandment today? The commandment to take a good look at Jesus?

Maybe we have lost sight of Jesus; perhaps our attention has been diverted by the busyness of life or by a pressing problem, or by a new adventure, or a promising relationship.

Maybe you need to focus on Jesus for the first time: you attend church, you seek to live an upright life, but you sense that spiritually you are missing the mark, your life lacks true peace and joy, you do not know the blessing of sins forgiven, you do not have a living relationship with the LORD. If this describes you, you need to look to Jesus.

The LORD knows that, like those Old Testament people of Israel, we, too, are so prone to lose sight of Jesus; and therefore, the commandment comes to us, too: “Look at my servant!” Take a good look at Jesus! Refocus on the Lord Jesus, or focus upon Him for the first time.

Take a Good Look at Jesus, and Appreciate His Character and Mission←⤒🔗

The LORD’s servant “will not shout or cry or raise his voice in the streets” (vs. 2). That is to say, the LORD’s servant will not be a political activist or revolutionary who exerts his charismatic power to rouse the masses to violence. Consider Jesus’ words to Peter when Peter sought to resort to violence and arms as the means of defending his Lord and furthering the cause of God’s kingdom:

'Put your sword back in its place,' Jesus said to him, 'for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?' [“this way” being the way of the cross] Matt. 26:52-54

In Revelation 5:5-6a, when the Apostle John’s attention is directed to the conquering Christ, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah,” what he sees is “a Lamb,” (the symbol of meek submission). The point being made is that Christ conquered, not by self-assertion, but rather by submission to the Father’s will­ that will being nothing other than the cross of Calvary.

Take a good look at Jesus; see that true spiritual victory comes not by self-assertion and reliance upon human strength, but by His cross and submission to His Father’s will. Salvation is attained not by trying harder to become pleasing to God, but by trusting in the crucified Savior: “It is by grace that you have been saved through faith—and this is not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God—⁹it is not of works, therefore, no one can boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).

Likewise, sanctification, the process of becoming more like Christ our Savior, is achieved not by resorting to our own strength in an effort to become holy, but by relying upon the Holy Spirit and the grace of God: “if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live” (Rom. 8:13).

Furthermore, the kingdom of God is advanced, not by means of political power or resorting to violence, but by resorting to prayer and the laying down of our lives in imitation of Christ our Savior. Note: This does not mean surrendering involvement in favor of inactivity; rather it means abandoning reliance upon human power and wisdom and relying upon divine power and wisdom.

It is further said of the LORD’s Servant, “He will not break a bruised reed, nor will he snuff out a smoldering wick” (vs. 3). This is to say, the LORD’s Servant is characterized by gentleness, tenderness, patience and compassion. Consider how these attributes characterized the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ:

A man with leprosy came up to him, kneeling down before him and begging him, 'If you are willing, you can make me clean.' ⁴¹Being moved with compassion, [Jesus] stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, 'I am willing; be made clean.' Mk. 1:40-41

And Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all types of disease and all kinds of sickness. ³⁶But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd. Matt. 9:35-36

Take a good look at Jesus: see that you will find Him to be merciful and compassionate:

...we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, [yet was] without sin. ¹⁶Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4:15-16

The LORD’s Servant, “will not break a bruised reed, nor will he snuff out a smoldering wick” (vs. 3); and He Himself “will not falter or be discouraged until he has established [what is] right on the earth” (vs. 4). Forms of the same two Hebrew words, רָצץַ (to crush) and כָּההָ (to become faint) are used in both verses three and four, giving the sense: The LORD’s Servant will not break a crushed reed, and He Himself will not be crushed (in spirit); He will not snuff out a faintly (smoldering) wick, and He Himself will not become faint. This provides the assurance that we, in our helpless estate, can always rely upon the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who is omnipotent. In this vein, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Ephesians to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Eph. 6:10). Paul himself testifies,

[Christ] said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, most gladly will I rather boast in my infirmities, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor. 12:9

Having considered the Servant’s character, we must now turn our attention to the Servant’s mission. In verse one, the LORD defines that mission in these terms: “he will present [what is] right to the Gentile nations.” The Hebrew word מִשׁ פְָּט , usually translated, “justice,” also has the meaning, “right,” in the sense of “[what is] right.” Isaiah 42:1-3 is focusing on that aspect of the Messiah’s mission in which He would show the Gentile nations “[what is] right.” That is to say, by His life and teaching, the Messiah will present to the Gentile nations the meaning of life; He will show them how God intended for man to live in the world He has created and before the God to whom they will give an account. When we consider the life and teaching of Jesus the Messiah, we discover two things: life is meant to be lived in obedient submission to God (Jn. 8:29) and lived for the glory of God (Jn. 17:4).

Jesus testifies,

The One who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone; because I always do the things that are pleasing to him. Jn. 8:29

And He declares to the Father,

I have glorified you on the earth, by accomplishing the work that you have given me to do. Jn. 17:4

Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is the one and only man in all of history to provide a living demonstration of what is right (i.e. a living demonstration of the way God intended for mankind to live in His world and before His face)—and the greatest manifestation of the life that is rightly lived is provided at the cross of Calvary. There, Jesus the Messiah offered Himself in complete obedient surrender to God His Father (Matt. 26:39) and complete trust in His Father (Lk. 23:46), doing so for the glory of God (Jn. 17:4).

We are explicitly told that the Messiah “will present [what is] right to the Gentile nations.” It is the Gentiles especially who need to be presented with “[what is] right,” (i.e. the true meaning of life, and the way to the restoration of that life.) In contrast to the Gentiles, Israel, as the covenant nation, has been instructed by the LORD Himself, by means of the prophets and the Scriptures. The Apostle Paul declares of Israel, “What advantage then has the Jew...? ²Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God” (Rom. 3:1-2).

Isaiah 42:3b stresses that the Messiah “will surely present [what is] right;” and verse four asserts, “He will not falter or be discouraged until he has established [what is] right on the earth. “This resolute determination to full His mission—of living before the world the life that is pleasing to God, the life for which man was originally created—is especially presented in Luke 9:51-53,

As the time approached for him to be received up, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. ⁵²And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; ⁵³but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. [literally, “his face was set for going to Jerusalem”].

Isaiah 42:4b informs us, “Even the distant islands will wait [expectantly] for his instruction.” The Hebrew word תּוֹ רהָ , usually translated, “law,” has the more general meaning of “instruction,” or, “teaching.” Just prior to His ascension to the right hand of God the Father, the Lord Jesus gave to His disciples the Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20). The making of disciples begins with baptism, and the administering of baptism pre-supposes a confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (cf. Acts 16:29-33). “The distant islands [waiting] [expectantly]” for the enlightening and saving message that would be presented to them foretells the welcome reception of the gospel on the part of the Gentiles, as evidenced in Acts 14. When the Apostle Paul announced that he and Barnabas would now “turn to the Gentiles,” presenting them with the gospel, “[the Gentiles] were glad and glorified the word of the Lord; and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 14:46-48).

Take a good look at Jesus, and appreciate the mission the Father has sent Him to undertake and accomplish: it is revealing to you the meaning of life as it was originally intended to be lived on the earth, and as it is lived in the kingdom of God; and providing for you the means to enter into that kingdom and experience that life--which can only be done by placing your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. As the Apostle Peter states, “Christ also died for sins once for all, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones, so that he might bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive [again] by the Spirit” (1 Pet. 3:18). The prevailing opinion among men is that upon death each and every one gains entrance into the heavenly kingdom, no matter what they believe or in whom they believe. But that is a tragically fatal opinion, inspired by the devil himself. The Lord Jesus Himself testifies, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, except by me” (Jn. 14:6).

Take a Good Look at Jesus, and Place Your Confidence in Him←⤒🔗

Listen to how the LORD identifies Himself in Isaiah 42:5, “This is what God the LORD says—he who created the heavens and stretched them out, he who spread out the earth and all that it produces, he who gives breath to the people who are in it and life to those who walk upon it.”

Literally, the LORD declares Himself to be “the God;” in the Hebrew text the word “God” is preceded by the definite article: הָאֵל. Thus, the LORD is declaring Himself to be the one and only God. In Isaiah 45:22, the LORD will declare, “Turn to me and be saved, [you people from] all the ends of the earth; because I am God, and there is none other.” Furthermore, He is “the LORD”(JEHOVAH)—the Living One who is wholly self-sufficient and the source of all life, the One who is the covenant God, faithful to all His promises. Verse five of Isaiah 42 goes on to identify Him as the Almighty Creator and Sustainer of the heavens and all things.

Now hear how the LORD describes His relationship to His servant, as it is recorded in verses 6-8. “I, the LORD, have called you;” it is God Himself who has given His servant a divine commission and task to perform. In this regard, consider the testimony and the prayer of the Lord Jesus:

'My food,' [said Jesus], 'is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.' Jn. 4:34

I glorified you on the earth by accomplishing the work you have given me to do. Jn. 17:4

The LORD goes on to assert, “I, the LORD...will hold your hand;” God assures His servant that He will support him and sustain Him so that He may carry out and accomplish His divine mission. Again, note the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ: “The one who sent me is with me, he has not forsaken me; because I always do the things that are pleasing to him” (Jn. 8:29). Or, again, the Lord Jesus says, “Listen, the hour is coming, in fact it has come, when you shall be scattered, each one to his own home, and shall forsake me. However, I am not forsaken, because the Father is with me” (Jn. 16:32).

The LORD’s testimony to His servant continues, “I, the LORD...will watch over you;” the LORD assures His servant that He will be faithful to him, He will not abandon him. The fulfillment of this promise is to be seen in the resurrection, the ascension, and finally Christ’s return in glory. The Apostle Peter declares,

²⁴God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was not possible for death to keep its hold on him. ²⁵David said about him...you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay... ³²God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. ³³Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit... Acts 2:24-25, 32-33

Next the LORD declares to His servant:

^6bI, the LORD...will...appoint you to be the covenant [representative] for the people [of Israel and] a light for the Gentiles. ⁷[I have appointed you] to open the eyes of the blind, to free the captives from prison, and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. Isa. 42:6b-7

The LORD’s Servant, Jesus Christ, is the true covenant Representative of Israel: fulfilling the covenantal demand of obedience and taking upon Himself the covenantal curse for the disobedience of God’s people, and thus enabling all those who trust in Him to inherit the covenantal blessing. Note the Apostle Paul’s explanation of Christ’s work:

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree; ¹⁴so that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, and so that we might receive the promised Spirit by faith. Gal. 3:13-14

As previously revealed in this passage, and now being reiterated, the LORD’s Servant shall also reveal the light (the truth and glory) of God to the nations, so that they might also be reconciled to God through faith in Him and come to share in the blessings of the covenant. Again, note the Apostle Paul’s testimony with regard to the ministry he received from the resurrected Jesus:

'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. ^16'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. ¹⁷I am sending you [to the Gentiles], ¹⁸to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' Acts 26:15-18

In verse eight the LORD supplies the reason why He will cause His servant to be a light for the Gentiles; namely, for the sake of His own honor and glory: “I am the LORD, that is my name. I will not give my glory to any other, nor my praise to carved images.” The proclamation of the gospel is a gracious revelation of God’s truth, calling men back to Himself, note 1 Thessalonians 1:9b-10. In response to the gospel, the Thessalonians “turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, ¹⁰and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

In verse nine the LORD points to the fulfillment of past prophecies as the assurance that these present promises will likewise be fulfilled: “See, the former things [I foretold] have happened, and [now] I declare new things—before they spring into being I announce them to you.” The LORD is both able and faithful to fulfill all His promises. We can rest with complete confidence in Christ our Savior, because there has been pledged to Him the support of Almighty God Himself.

Take a good look at Jesus, and place your confidence in Him, knowing that God His Father, the Almighty God, stands beside Him and behind Him to bless His work and guarantee the salvation of those who trust in Him:

I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. ³⁹And this is the will of him who sent me, [namely], that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but should raise it up at the last day. ⁴⁰My Father’s will is that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Take a Good Look at Jesus, and Praise the LORD for Him←⤒🔗

In verses 10-12 there goes forth the command that songs of praise be offered up to the LORD from all around the world:

Sing a new song to the LORD, sing his praise from the end of the earth. [Sing his praise], you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it. [Sing his praise], you islands, and all who live on them. ¹¹Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices—the villages where Kedar lives. Let the people of Sela sing; let them shout from the mountaintops. ¹²Let them give glory to the LORD, and let them declare his praise in the islands.

Verse thirteen supplies the reason why a new song of praise is to be sung to the LORD; namely, because the LORD shall rise up and exert His triumphant power over His enemies. The LORD will mightily exert Himself; He will arise as a mighty warrior to triumph over His enemies. He exerted His mighty power and gained that great triumph by means of the lowly cross of Calvary:

Having disarmed the principalities and powers, [Christ] made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by [the cross]. Col. 2:15

“He will stir up his zeal.” His jealousy for His Name, His cause, His people, has, as it were, lay silently smoldering under the ashes, but now the LORD stirs it up into a bright flame with His mighty saving acts. Note the mysterious ways of God: at His appointed time the LORD bestirs Himself from relative “inactivity” to sudden, intense, violent action on behalf of His cause, His kingdom, and His people. Examples of such times include the Exodus, the Return from the Babylonian Exile, the first coming of Christ, times of revival throughout church history, and the final coming of Christ in glory.

Verses 14-17 elaborate on this theme. The LORD declares that for a long time He has been still, but now He will rise up and exert His triumphant power. He compares Himself to a woman crying out with birth pains as she is about to deliver a child (vs. 14). In verse fifteen the previous image of a woman giving birth and producing new life is counterbalanced with an image of destruction and desolation: ”I will devastate the mountains and the hills, I will dry up all their vegetation. I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools [of water]. Thus, we are graphically reminded that the work of God always and inevitably contains the two dimensions of salvation and judgment.

By way of example, the Exodus proved to be both the salvation of the LORD’s people—passing safely through the parted waters of the Red Sea—as well as the destruction of His enemies—the pursuing Egyptians were swallowed up by the waters of the sea. So shall it be at His final coming, that great event will mean both the final redemption of those who trust in Christ, as well as the final judgment of those who remain in their state of sinful alienation from their God. Verses 16-17, for emphasis, reiterate this theme:

I will lead the blind along a way they have not known, I will guide them along unfamiliar paths. I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. I will [surely] do these things; I will not forsake them. ¹⁷[But] those who trust in carved images, those who confess to molten images, 'You are our gods,' they will be turned back and utterly put to shame.

The LORD will redeem His people from the darkness of sin and idolatry (vs. 16). But He will confound and overthrow those who cling to their idols and refuse to give to the LORD the glory due His Name (vs. 17).

Take a good look at Jesus, and praise the LORD for Him, because it is through His servant, the Lord Jesus Christ, that the LORD accomplishes His great works of redemption and righteous judgment.

Conclusion←⤒🔗

At the very outset of this passage, the LORD commands us to take a good look at His servant, the Lord Jesus Christ, declaring, “Look at my servant!” The LORD knows that we are very prone to lose sight of Jesus; that is why He issues the command, “Look at my servant!”

Maybe you have lost sight of Jesus and need to refocus on Him. Maybe you need to focus on Jesus for the first time: look beyond religion and tradition, look beyond yourself, and take a good look at Jesus.

May the words of the gospel chorus become our sincere prayer: “Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.”

Review Questions←⤒🔗

1. What does the LORD invite us to do? See Isa. 42:1a. How is this servant described, and who is he? See Isa. 42:1b and Matt. 3:16-17. It is the LORD who reveals to us His servant, Jesus Christ our Savior, has He revealed Him to you?

Look at my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I will put my Spirit upon him; he will present [what is] right to the Gentile nations. Isa. 42:1

Then Jesus, when he had been baptized, came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon him. ¹⁷And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'Matt. 3:16-17

2. What task has the LORD given His servant to accomplish? See Isa. 42:1c; note, also, Jn. 1:4, 9. How does the servant, by His life, define what is right? See Jn. 8:29 and Jn. 17:4. Have you, or anyone else, lived up to this standard? In the light of the revelation given by the servant of the LORD, how do we need to approach God? See Lk. 18:13. When we plead for God’s mercy and put our trust in His Son Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for sin, what assurance is given us? See Lk. 18:14a,

Look at my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen one in whom my soul delights. I will put my Spirit upon him; he will present [what is] right to the Gentile nations. Isa. 42:1

In him was life; and the Life was the light of men...⁹The true Light, [the Light] that enlightens every man, was coming into the world.Jn. 1:4, 9

Jesus testifies,

The One who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone; because I always do the things that are pleasing to him. Jn. 8:29

And He declares to the Father,

I have glorified you on the earth, by accomplishing the work that you have given me to do. Jn. 17:4

The publican, standing afar off...saying, 'God be merciful to me, a sinner.'Lk. 18:13

Jesus declared of the publican:

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified. Lk. 18:14

3. How will the LORD’s servant accomplish his work? See Isa. 42:2; note Matt. 26:39 and Jn. 10:17­-18. Besides complete submission to His Father’s will, what other trait will the servant exhibit? See Isa. 42:4a; note Lk. 9:51-53. Do you appreciate Christ’s persistent submission to His Father’s will, despite what that will ordained; and that by faith in Him you are the beneficiary of that life of devotion unto God?

He will not shout or cry or raise his voice in the streets.Isa. 42:2

In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed,

O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup [a reference to the cross of Calvary] pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. Matt. 26:39

The Father loves me because I lay down my life; [I lay it down] in order that I may take it again. ¹⁸No one takes it away from me, I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father. Jn. 10:17­-18

He will not falter or be discouraged until he has established [what is] right upon the earth. Even the distant islands will wait [expectantly] for his instruction. Isa. 42:4

As the time approached for him to be received up, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. ⁵²And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; ⁵³but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. [literally, “his face was set for going to Jerusalem”]. Lk. 9:51-53

4. In Isaiah 42:6a, what promise does the LORD make to His servant? How did the LORD fulfill this promise, and what benefit does the Christian derive from that fulfillment? See Acts 2:24-25, 32­-33,

I, the LORD, have called you by my righteousness, and I will hold your hand. I will watch over you and appoint you to be the covenant [representative] for the people [of Israel and] a light for the Gentiles.Isa. 42:6

God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was not possible for death to keep its hold on him. ²⁵David said about him...you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay... ³²God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. ³³Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit... Acts 2:24-25, 32-33

5. As Christians, how should we respond to the LORD for the provision of His servant and the servant’s accomplishment of the work the Father gave Him to do? See Isa. 42:10-12,

Sing a new song to the LORD, sing his praise from the end of the earth. [Sing his praise], you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it. [Sing his praise], you islands, and all who live on them. ¹¹Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices—the villages where Kedar lives. Let the people of Sela sing; let them shout from the mountaintops. ¹²Let them give glory to the LORD, and let them declare his praise in the islands. Isa. 42:10-12