I wonder: did the prophet get peppered with questions and unsolicited advice when he rolled out this song to his listeners (Isaiah 42:1-9)?
Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
Uh, hello? Your new song is about a servant? Even if this so-called agent of choice of yours brings delight to one’s soul, servant songs do not make it into the top 40. You know that, right?
I have put my Spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
His task is to bring justice to the nations? Well, that definitely calls for someone greater than a servant. Someone Spirit-filled, sure, but also brimming with considerable respect, command, and political savvy.
He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
Hold up. He won’t do what? He’s going to need a carefully crafted campaign. One that is loud and widespread. He’ll need to be willing to twist people’s arms and even publicly shame them into doing the right things. There is no way this “servant” is going to get the attention he needs for his justice initiative.
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
So you’re really going to stick with this approach? Your servant is not going to bully anyone, huh? Instead he’ll gently and meekly attend to the wounded and discouraged, the small and insignificant? In other words, the means by which he’ll accomplish his end will be congruent. With all due respect, is that really going to work?
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be discouraged
till he has established justice in the earth;
Let me get this straight: the success of this crazy idea is guaranteed? Seriously? You must be writing a song for a different world. One that only exists in your head, Prophet, which is unfortunate because if what you’re saying was true, then it really would be good news for all nations – those near and far.
the distant lands beyond the sea put their hope in him.
I’m still not getting this. Hope for widespread justice and compassion lies in a lowly servant? Who is he really?
Thus says God, the LORD,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
Ah ha, this servant isn’t just a servant. He’s from God! He’s the Messiah! I knew it! Who else could spread out justice over the whole earth but the One who gave breath to the whole earth?
“I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
Oh yeah! Preach!
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
Wait, what? I thought the Messiah was the one signing up to do this. Now you’re asking us to be like servants, too? To serve like a lighthouse standing in a storm offering hope to those in dark, wet, cold, lonely, fearful circumstances?
to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Whoa, that’s crazy talk! You know the depth of darkness here, right? There’s a crushing amount of pain in this world. Maybe you should bring in reinforcements for this massive undertaking?
I am the LORD; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
Ok, bad idea. Forget I mentioned it.
Behold, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
Yes, yes, you are right. I’m seeing that now. All of the Lord’s earlier predictions have indeed come to pass. And if this Servant-Savior were unable to do these things and unable to predict a successful outcome, then he would not be Jehovah, the LORD, right? Got it!
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.”
Wow, how incredible it that? The Almighty One, who is under no obligation to tell me anything about His rescue campaigns or justice initiatives, chooses to do so that I may have hope. I would do well to listen then, wouldn’t I? Sing it again Prophet, this time I won’t interrupt.
Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.He will not grow faint or be discouraged
till he has established justice in the earth;
the distant lands beyond the sea put their hope in him.Thus says God, the LORD,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk in it:“I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.I am the LORD; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.Behold, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.”
Lord come quickly, our world is desperately in need of your form of justice. Sing this song into our hearts. Help us to be steady lights and humble conduits of hope. We request these things in the name of Jesus, our Messiah, the greatest Servant of all. Amen.
Lord, Come Quickly 