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The Servant Songs of

Isaiah 42-53—Part 3: :4-9

Introduction

- Third of what are called the “Servant Songs” in Isaiah; poems or songs that told the Israelites some details of the coming .

- First was in :1-9: He is “My Servant,” a quiet and patient demeanor, He will comfort for the weak and oppressed, He will bring truth and justice, the Messiah will be a light to the , He will open mankind’s eyes, His advent is sure.

- The second servant song is in :1-13: the Messiah will come in human form, He will be an effective teacher, He will glorify the Father, sent to save , he will be rejected, He will save all mankind, Those who despised Him will one day worship Him (prophecy of His second coming), and He represents a covenant to all people.

- Today, we will focus on the third servant song, which concentrates on the obedience of the Messiah to the will of the Father.

- (Read 50:4-9)

The Obedient Servant

1. The Messiah would be obedient in speaking and teaching (4) (read)

A. The Messiah would be the one to share the Father’s message with the world.

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1) (Read John 8:25-30) (NIV, John 8:28: “ said, ‘I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.’”)

B. The Messiah’s message was not always what the people wanted to hear.

1) In John 6, Jesus tells His followers that those who trust in Him will need to show the same sacrifice and commitment as He would experience. Many of them responded, “This is a hard saying; who can understand (accept) it?” (John 6:60).

2) “There are some of you who do not believe,” (6:64). Then John writes, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (6:66).

C. His message ultimately would lead to His death.

1) He knew this, but never held back on His teaching. Many times, in fact, we see Him confronting the scribes and Pharisees in the temple, with crowds around them listening.

D. He was blunt and honest with the people in urging them to trust in Him for their eternal life with the Father.

1) “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And He who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:37-39).

2) To a people in awe of wealth, power, and strength, He said, “blessed are the meek” (Matthew 5:5).

3) To a culture steeped in the tradition that righteousness meant following the letter of the law, He taught: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall

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not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22).

4) “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).

5) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44).

E. He was also encouraging with His words, as Isaiah 50:4 tells us, “That I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.”

1) Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

2) It’s not just His words of commitment that must impact us, but also His words and ministry to those who are weary and heavy laden . . . burdened, sad, hurting inside, discouraged. He is ministering to us right now.

2. The Messiah would be obedient in listening (4-5) (read)

A. This was in sharp contrast to the people to whom Isaiah delivered his prophecy.

B. 50:5: “And I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away”

1) He “stayed on message,” our politicians today would say.

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2) The Messiah in His first advent “stayed on message” and did not waiver from the message the Father sent Him to deliver.

C. This listening to the Father and not turning away is also a contrast to the people of Israel to whom Isaiah was prophesying.

1) They had the patient teaching from God through His , but had not listened.

2) 48:8: “Surely from long ago your ear was not opened.”

3. The Messiah would be obedient in suffering (6) (read)

A. Jesus was sent not just to teach through His preaching and teaching, but also through suffering and dying for our sins. He was obedient.

B. Remember, this was prophesied about 750 years before this suffering actually happened to Jesus.

1) Indeed, He was flogged (Matthew 27:26), mocked, and spat upon (Matthew 27:30)

2) Note: “plucked out the beard” was an expression that mean to shame someone.

4. The Messiah would be obedient in accomplishing His purpose (7-9) (read)

A. “I have set my face like a flint” (7)

1) Flint or rock, very hard to break.

2) Jesus was not swayed from His purpose by hardship, opposition, or betrayal.

3) He did not have just a strong sense of purpose, but a perfect sense of purpose.

B. “I will not be ashamed” (7), though people sought to mock and shame Him; because

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C. “He is near who justifies Me;” (8)

1) Therefore, the Messiah can say, “Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me.” (8)

Conclusion

A. We don’t want to study the prophecies just to gain knowledge. We want to know them so that we can be more like our Savior and Lord . . . so we can understand Him and know and do His will.

B. What do we know about His will from this third servant song?

1) Speaking and teaching: share the gospel message, encourage and admonish each other, use our communication to build the kingdom, not criticize, gossip, and judge others.

2) Listening to God: from the Bible, from each other, from the inner voice every Christian can hear; not turn away from His voice; pray not just to request for God to act, but pray for a better understanding of His will for you.

3) Suffering: dealing with life’s circumstances righteously; doing God’s will regardless of the consequences to career, finances, and pride.

4) Steadfastness in purpose: doing God’s will regardless of hardship, opposition, embarrassment, or even betrayal.

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