Isaiah 41-43 The Servant(s)

Isaiah 41

God calls the nations to listen

• The “one from the east” (likely Abraham or Cyrus who helped conquer Babylon)
  • Raised by God
  • Victorious
• Nations respond with fear
• Idols are strengthened by human hands

Israel Chosen

• Israel identified as:
  • God’s servant
  • Descendant of Abraham
• Divine assurances:
  • “I am with you”
  • “I will strengthen you”
  • “I will uphold you”

God as Israel’s Defender

• Enemies:
  • Shamed
  • Reduced to nothing
• God holds Israel’s hand

 The Worm 

• Israel called a “worm” (weak)
• God transforms weakness into power
  • Mountains crushed

God supplies water to those in need 

• Open rivers, fountains, pools, springs
• Plants in the wilderness
• All to know that the hand of the LORD has done this

God challenges idols to prove themselves

• Idols cannot:
  • Predict
  • Act
  • Save

God alone declares the future

Isaiah 42

Introduces the first Servant Song

• Expands focus from Israel to the nations
• Major theme:
  • God’s servant accomplishes salvation through obedience, not force

Servant of the LORD עֶבֶד (ʿeved)

• Servant chosen and upheld by God
• Endowed with God’s Spirit
• Character:
  • Gentle
  • Faithful
  • Persistent

The Servant’s Commission

• God identified as Creator
• Servant called to:
  • Be a covenant for the people
  • Be a light to the nations
• Purpose:
  • Open blind eyes
  • Free captives

A New Song 

• Sing unto the Lord a new song
• God portrayed as:
  • Warrior
  • Deliverer

God Acts Powerfully

• God breaks silence
• Imagery:
  • Labor pains
  • Path-making in darkness

• Israel identified as:
  • Blind
  • Deaf
  • But also, servant, messenger
• Israel fails in obedience

Isaiah 43

Fear Not, You Are Mine

• God is
  • Creator
  • Redeemer גָּאַל (gāʾal)
  • Personal ownership
• When you pass through the waters, I will be with you – reminds me of Jonah
• And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you- reminds me of red sea and Jordan crossings
• When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned – reminds me of hananiah, Mishael, azariah

Israel summoned to assemble as witness

• God declares no god before or after Him
• He is the only Savior

Babylon named as enemy

• Babylon, will takeJudah into exile, but will be defeated
  • Persia’s conquest of Babylon (539 BC)
• Babylon is not permanent, only God is
• Recalls past Exodus (Moses)
• Wilderness transformed

Sin and Grace

• Israel has failed spiritually
  • Failed in worship 
• God forgives for His own sake
  • Blots out מָחָה (māḥāh)
• They will be disciplined, but also redeemed 

Application

In Isaiah 41, God strengthens His servant (Israel) and reminds them they do not need to be afraid because He is with them. In Isaiah 42, He sends His servant (Jesus) to bring justice and light not only to Israel but to the nations. Then in Isaiah 43, God redeems His servant (Israel) despite their failures and promises to create something new.