Isaiah 50:1-3
The constant cry of the Jew was that God had forsaken them. They accused the Lord of divorcing Israel but God said to show Him the proof. There was none. God didn't sell them to His creditors as security. They had sold themselves into slavery by their iniquities. Israel rejected God, He didn't reject them. He would have been perfectly just in rejecting them but He didn't.
Israel is pictured as the bride of Jehovah many times. In this case the bride is making the accusation of unfaithfulness when in fact it is the bride who has been unfaithful. God called their worship of idols harlotry. God asked where they were when He called to them. He called and no one answered. Had they given up on Him? Did they think He no longer had the power to redeem and deliver? God is able to watch over them and protect them. With His word, the sea will dry up and the river will be nothing. God is the one who clothes the sky in darkness and making sackcloth its covering. Jeremiah 4:28; Revelation 6:12; Ezekiel 32:18; Joel 2:10.
Isaiah 50:4-6
This is the prophetic voice of the Messiah. The Lord gave Him the ability to speak wisely. He was given the 'Leshon Limmudin'; the tongue of disciple or those who were taught. It is understood as 'one instructed in Divine-human relationship; how to live in a way that pleases God. He is able to speak a word in season. At the right time, He can speak truth into any situation, especially to the one who is weary. The Messiah was awakened morning by morning to hear the word of God and hear as one learning. He did not turn away but opened His ear willingly to learn what the Lord had spoken.
We can see this as an example. Each morning we should seek to open our ear and hear what the Lord would speak to us. What a joy to hear a word in season, especially when you are in one of those dark seasons of life. A willingness to submit fully to the Lordship of God and to incline our ear towards Him.
The servant didn't resist but gave His back to those that struck Him. This wasn't an uncommon thing for a servant of God to suffer. We see the suffering of Christ as the perfect servant suffering for all of mankind. As Jesus was being tried, He was mocked and beat. They struck him and pulled out his beard. They spit in his face. These are incredible details to be considered when reading the account of the crucifixion.
In Luke 24:13 we read about the Emmaus road. Did they not recognize Jesus because his beard had been pulled out and because of the disfigurement of the beating? Jesus was the guest yet he broke bread and served them. Did they see the nail prints on his hands when he served them? In Luke 24:33 they were frightened of him as if they'd seen a spirit. He used his hands and feet to identify himself. In John 20:11 Mary Magdalene didn't recognize Jesus. See Zechariah 13:6; the wound in the house of his friends was the doubt that Thomas and the disciples had.
Jesus gave Himself as the servant to the Lord. He was determined to be obedient, even to death on a cross. He trusted in the Lord and knew that He would not be disgraced. He set His face like a flint. He knew God was near. He knew no man could touch Him unless God allowed it. It was for His purpose and there would be no condemnation.
Are we walking in God's light? Or, do we try to provide our own light and our own way? Do we fear the Lord and obey the voice of His servant? We must trust in the name of the Lord and rely on God. Trying to provide our own light is trusting in your own understanding and providing your own way out of darkness. We must trust in Him. He will provide the light we need at the time we need it.
Those who trust in their own ways kindle the fire of judgment and torment against themselves. Their work will not hold up as payment, their goodness will fall short.
©2018 Doug Ford
Facebook