Isaiah 42:1-25
Monday, 20 March 2023
“I the LORD have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.” -Isaiah 42:6
The Lord formally presents His Servant in this passage of Scripture. The title ‘My Servant’ is identified with Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Isaiah may have foreshadowed Him, but only Christ brings universal justice and an everlasting covenant to the people.
We notice different expressions such as ‘called’, ‘hold’, ‘keep’, and ‘give’ in this key verse. We can clearly see God’s glory in the Servant: “I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to 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.” This Servant, in Jesus, began His ministry of revealing the glory of God, right from His baptism in water at the River Jordan.
Matthew 12:18-21 “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory; And in His name Gentiles will trust.”
This chosen Servant reveals a character of gentleness encouragement, justice, and truth. When we feel down and out- broken, bruised or burned out in our spiritual life, God won’t reject us or toss us aside as useless but will gently pick us up. He is the Shepherd who holds us close to His bosom and gently leads…(Isaiah 40:11). God’s loving attributes are desperately needed in our world today where many are lost and wandering, seeking strength and comfort. Through God’s Spirit, we can extend such sensitivity to people around us, reflecting God’s goodness and gentleness to them that need it.
Christ is "our Salvation"(Acts 4:12), "our Peace"(Eph.2:14), "our Redemption" (Col.1:14) and "our Life"(Col.3:4). Part of Christ’s mission on earth encompassed demonstrating God’s righteousness and being a Light for Gentiles (to all nations). Jesus declared: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”(John 8:12) Through Christ, all His children- in every part of the world have the opportunity to share in His mission. God calls us to be servants of his Son, demonstrating God’s righteousness and bringing His light. What a unique, but great privilege to be a partner with Christ and fulfill His mission! But we must seek His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) before we demonstrate it to others and let His light shine in us before we can be lights ourselves (Matthew 5:16)
His majestic work in us prompts an equal response. Do we really appreciate the good things that God does for us, in us and through us? “Fear you not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).Let us partner in His vision and mission and reap the dividends through eternity with Him.
When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast;
When the tempter would prevail, He can hold me fast ….
For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast. (From hymn by Ada Ruth Habershon)
Listen: 'Hope of the Nations'