The alternate shorter reading for today is the first of the four well-known Servant Songs of Isaiah. From our perspective in time, we know that the Messiah or Redeemer of whom Isaiah prophesied was Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He was the ultimate Servant, specially chosen for the mission that reshaped world history forever. This is not theological speculation—we have it on the authority of the New Testament. As we've mentioned, Isaiah is the Old Testament book most quoted there, and the Servant Songs are quoted in direct and unmistakable reference to Christ. Matthew, for instance, quotes today's reading as being fulfilled in Jesus (Matt. 12:15-21).
Prophecy has layers. While Christ is the ultimate Servant, there are other meanings and foreshadowings. In today's reading, God's servant is also Cyrus, the Persian king who would defeat Babylon in 539 B.C. (he's named later in 44:28). His “service” will be to carry out part of God's plan for history, even though he was a pagan unbeliever and unaware of His plan. Another layer is that just as Cyrus will be God's servant individually, so the Israelites are God's servant collectively (41:8-10). It is not that they are intrinsically worthy or superior; what sets them apart is simply that they have been chosen by God. The same God who orchestrates history raises up springs for the thirsty. . . and in place of Him Isaiah's listeners had chosen to worship sticks of wood! Their ears were open but they heard nothing (42:20).
The Servant embodies God's redemptive plan and will lead Israel to what it is meant to be. God's plan is about more than one ethnic group, though, since one thing the Servant will do is bring light to the Gentiles. He will also bring healing, freedom, and justice to all nations. These achievements won't come easily, which is one reason why the praise that follows pictures God as a Divine Warrior (42:10-17).
posted by I love Jesus! ! ! @ Tuesday, June 19, 2007
<< Home