In Isaiah, we find four special passages which have come to be known as
the Servant Songs. They are found in
42:1-6, 49:1-6, 50:4-9 and 52:13-53:12.
(It would have been better if chapter 53 had started three verses earlier!)
There are 66 chapters in Isaiah and I found 66 facts about Jesus in the
four Servant Songs. Here they are, roughly in order of fulfilment. If this isn’t
testimony to the inspired brilliance of the Bible, I don’t know what is!
What do we know about God’s Servant (Jesus) from Isaiah’s Servant songs?
1. He is God’s Servant –
42:1, 49:3,5,6, 52:13, 53:11 (Matt 12:18, Phil 2:7)
2. The Chosen One – 42:1 (1
Pet 2:4)
3. In whom God’s very soul
delights – 42:1 (Matt 3:17, 17:5)
4. He was called by God from
the womb – 49:1,5 (Luke 1:31)
5. He was righteous and
called in righteousness – 42:6, 53:11 (Heb 1:9)
6. He represented Israel –
49:3
7. And His commission was to
bring Israel back to God – 49:5 (John 11:52)
8. He was given as a
covenant to the peoples – 42:6 (Matt 26:28)
9. And as a light to the
nations – 42:6, 49:6 (Acts 26:23)
10. He brought justice to the
nations (NLT) – 42:1,3,4 (Matt 12:18)
11. And was, in Himself, God’s
salvation to the ends of the earth – 49:6 (Acts 13:47)
12. When He was growing up, He did not appear
unusual in any way – 53:2 (Mark 6:3)
13. But God placed His Spirit
upon Him – 42:1 (Matt 3:16)
14. He awakened each morning
to God’s Word – 50:4
15. And His speech was with
all the wisdom and learning of God – 50:4 (Luke 4:22, John 7:46)
16. His mouth was like a
sharpened sword or arrow, initially concealed – 49:2 (Rev 19:15)
17. He was gentle, not shouting
in public – 42:2 (Matt 12:16-20)
18. He wouldn’t crush the weak
or quench the smallest hope (NLT) – 42:3
19. He encouraged the weary –
50:4 (Matt 11:28)
20. He was never violent to
anyone – 53:9 (Heb 7:26)
21. Nor did He deceive anyone
– 53:9 (1 Pet 2:22)
22. He could have been
discouraged by His apparent lack of success – 49:4 (John 1:11)
23. But he committed the
reward and results of His ministry to God – 49:4 (1 Pet 2:23)
24. So He was upheld and
strengthened (NLT) by God – 42:1,6 49:5
25. The Lord helped Him and
held His hand – 42:6, 50:7,9
26. So that He did not fail or
become discouraged – 42:4 (Heb 12:2)
27. He was glorious in the
sight of God – 49:5 (Matt 17:5)
28. He set Himself with
determination to fulfil all God’s will – 50:7 (Luke 9:51)
29. And achieved success
through His wise dealings – 52:13
30. He did not rebel against
God’s instructions – 50:5 (Heb 5:8)
31. Nor did He turn away from
God’s will – 50:5 (Heb 10:7)
32. He was despised and
rejected by men – 53:3 (Matt 27:39-44)
33. Acquainted with sorrow and
grief – 53:3,10 (Matt 26:37,38)
34. He remained silent before
His accusers – 53:7 (Matt 26:63, 27:12)
35. He was denied natural
justice – 53:8 (Matt 25:65,66)
36. He gave His back to those
who would beat Him – 50:6 (Matt 27:26)
37. He was struck on the face
– 50:6 (Luke 22:64)
38. He was spat upon – 50:6
(Matt 26:67)
39. Yet He was not ashamed or
confounded (NLT) in His trials – 50:7
40. He went meekly to His
death, like a lamb – 53:7 (Acts 8:32)
41. He was numbered with
transgressors (two thieves) – 53:12 (Mark 15:28)
42. He was smitten by God,
bruised and afflicted – 53:3,7,10
43. People were astonished at
Him – 52:14 (Matt 7:28, 27:14)
44. His appearance was marred
more than any man (NLT - so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person) – 52:14
45. He bore our griefs and
pains in His own body – 53:4 (1 Pet 2:24)
46. He was wounded for our
transgressions – 53:5,8 (Heb 9:12-15)
47. His punishment brought
peace for us – 53:5 (Rom 5:8-10)
48. And His stripes (from being
whipped) were for our healing – 53:5 (1 Pet 2:24)
49. The iniquities of all
God’s people were laid on Him – 53:6,11 (Tit 2:14)
50. He ‘sprinkled’ many
nations with His cleansing blood – 52:15 (1 Pet 1:2)
51. He justified many – 53:11
(Rom 5:19)
52. And accomplished all God’s
purpose – 53:10 (John 6:37-40)
53. God was and is glorified
through Him – 49:3 (John 13:32)
54. He was cut off from the
living – 53:8 (Matt 27:50)
55. Pouring out His soul unto
death – 53:12 (Heb 2:9)
56. He was buried like a
criminal (NLT) – 53:9
57. And placed in a rich man’s
grave (NLT) – 53:9 (John 19:38-42)
58. But He prolonged His days
(ie. He was resurrected) – 53:10 (Acts 13:30, Rev 1:18)
59. He lived to see His
descendants (all those who accept Him as their offering for sin) – 53:10 (Heb 12:2)
60. He was satisfied with what
He had accomplished (salvation for the multitudes) – 53:11 (John 16:21)
61. He was rewarded with great
honour – 53:12 (Phil 2:9)
62. And exalted very highly –
52:13 (Phil 2:9,10)
63. Kings were silenced before
Him – 52:15
64. Distant lands beyond the
sea waited for His teachings (NLT) – 42:4, cf 49:1 (Acts 28:22)
65. He caused the nations to
see and understand new truth – 52:15 (Rom 15:20,21)
66. And He made intercession
for the transgressors – 53:12 (Luke 23:34, Rom 8:34, Heb 7:25)
(Note: feel free to share this, but with due acknowledgement, please.)
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