Isaiah 53-55

Isaiah 53 Son of Suffering

Continuation of the (4th) Servant Song that begins in 52:13

The Rejected Servant

Unbelief :“Who has believed what he has heard from us?”

Humble appearance

• No majesty
• No outward attractiveness
• Despised
• Man of sorrows

Bears our Sin

• “Surely he has borne our griefs”
• “Wounded for our transgressions”
• “Crushed for our iniquities”

Suffering and Death 

• He was silent before accusers
  • Mark 15:2-5
• Voluntary submission
  • Silent but not helpless
• Removed from land of living
• Stricken for others’ sin

Burial

• With the wicked
  • Luke 23:32-33
• Rich in death
  • Could refer to Joseph of Arimathea 

Victory 

• “It was the will of the LORD to crush him”
  • 2 Corinthians 5:19
• “By his knowledge shall the righteous one… make many to be accounted righteous”
• Receives portion with the great
  • Philippians 2:10-11
• He bore our sin!

Isaiah 54 Israel Restored

Barren woman now fruitful (Israel restored and enlarged)

God described as husband, Maker, Redeemer, Holy One, God, YHWH

• Covenant restored

Marriage Imagery

• Israel = wife
• God = husband
• Exile = temporary separation

“For a brief moment I deserted you” but He will gather His people. 

Just as flood ended, God’s wrath will not return

Prosperity and Peace

• Precious stones imagery
  • Sones of colorful gems
  • Foundations of sapphires 
  • Pinnacles of rubies
  • Gates of crystal
  • Walls of precious stones 
• Security and peace
• God guarantees protection

Isaiah 55

The first word of this chapter is הוֹי (hoy!) Kind of like, hey! Listen! 🧚‍♀️✨

The Free Invitation of Salvation

• Come buy and eat! Even if you have no money
  • Water, wine, milk
• Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy?
• Everlasting covenant for all: “Sure mercies of David”

Call to Repentance 

• Seek the LORD while He may be found
• Forsake wicked ways and thoughts
• The time is now! God will abundantly pardon

The Ways of the LORD

• Thoughts not our thoughts
• Ways higher than ours – not our ways 
• We can trust in Him

Power of God’s Word

• Like rain and snow water the earth so does God’s word go forth to us
• Word accomplishes purpose
• Never returns empty

Joy and Peace

• Creation rejoices when we return to God
• Thorns replaced with cypress, brier with myrtle

Questions

Why does God say this when elsewhere He has said He would never forsake or abandon? For a brief moment I deserted you […]

• “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut 31:6; later quoted in Hebrews 13:5)

Application

Chapter 53 tells us the amazing story of The Servant accomplishing OUR redemption through suffering. What a powerful chapter showing the prophecy fulfillment. Isaiah 54 shows the redeemed community is restored and secured. God will never abandon His bride.
The last chapter shows that  the invitation of salvation is for ALL and FREE!