Isaiah 42
Vv. 1-9 This is the first of four Servant Songs that are often connected to Jesus, believing that he is their ultimate fulfillment (49:1-13, 50:4-9, 52:13-53:12)
The servant serves as the opposite of the idols who are upheld by those who believe in them. This servant is upheld by the Lord, who delights in him.
The Spirit of the Lord is placed on this servant, showing that he is unlike the idols whose images are nothing but empty wind.
He will be a man of justice, not of heavy hand.
The servant will not grow tired in the course of completing his mission.
The coastlands, which are far away lands, await for the arrival of his message.
God declares that he will bring the people out of Babylon, an image used to connect to a spiritual liberation that God will bring through Christ. Not only will this spiritual awakening be for Israel, but for all who are blind.
Vv. 10-17 God has been quiet, but will contain himself no longer. It is time for his name to be glorified, so he calls for all nations to sing a song of praise to the Lord of lords.
This new song finds foundation in the coming of the servant and the message that he will bring to all the inhabitants of the earth. It comes as a response to the revelation of God’s grace in a person’s life.
Kedar is significant in that it is a former enemy of Israel, showing that this grace being poured out spans larger than just Israel.
“Like a woman going into labor” is used to describe a moment that has arrived at fulfillment and is unable to be returned back to where it was before.
His grace and revelation are for those who are blind, walking towards darkness and rough terrain. The kingdom standard is not the same scale used in this human-led world. It brings us back both to the Exodus, think Exodus 13:21, and to the teachings of Jesus on the kingdom of God.
Vv. 18-25 All people are in need of a Savior, and the people of God are no different.
Israel, who was to be the one to bring all nations to the revelation of the Lord, became more blind and deaf than the rest of the world. Though they were given the word, they did not hear. Though they were shown the Lord’s ways, the did not see.
Their disobedience to the Lord and his commands proved to be their downfall. They went from being lifted high to being plundered.
A distinction is made as to who is at fault. Though the Lord allowed them to be destroyed, it was the disobedience of Israel that caused their fall.