The Suffering Servant

Through the servant songs of Isaiah the figure of God's chosen servant comes into view first as one who will bring forth justice to the nations without faltering or crying aloud, then as a light to the Gentiles that salvation might reach the ends of the earth. Later songs reveal the deeper mystery of his mission, for he bears the griefs and carries the sorrows of many, is wounded for their transgressions, and is led as a lamb to the slaughter, yet after pouring out his soul unto death he is exalted and divides the spoil with the strong. These ancient promises converge in Christ, who emptied himself and took the form of a servant, suffering in perfect obedience before being highly exalted by the Father and given a name above every name.

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Key Passages

First Servant Song: Justice

Isaiah 42:1-4

Isaiah introduces God's chosen servant who will bring justice to the nations - not through force but through gentleness, not breaking bruised reeds.

God's chosen servant will bring justice to the nations gently, not breaking a bruised reed.

B¹ehold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

² He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. ³ A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. ⁴ He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

Second Servant Song: Light to Nations

Isaiah 49:5-7

The servant's mission expands beyond Israel to become a light to all nations - God's salvation reaching to the ends of the earth.

The servant's mission expands beyond Israel to be a light to the Gentiles and bring salvation worldwide.

A⁵nd now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.

⁶ And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. ⁷ Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.

Third/Fourth Song: Suffering & Exaltation

Isaiah 52:13-15

The servant willingly suffers rejection and abuse yet trusts God for vindication - the pattern of suffering before glory that defines Christ's path.

The servant will be exalted but first disfigured beyond recognition, astonishing many nations.

B¹³ehold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

¹⁴ As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: ¹⁵ So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Bearing Our Griefs

Isaiah 53:4-6

Isaiah 53's central revelation - the servant bears our sins, is crushed for our iniquities, and by his wounds we are healed. The clearest Old Testament picture of the cross.

The servant bears our griefs and carries our sorrows; by his wounds we are healed.

S⁴urely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Christ Emptied Himself

Philippians 2:5-11

Paul's hymn in Philippians identifies Jesus as Isaiah's servant - the one who emptied Himself, took servant form, and was exalted above all names.

Paul's hymn echoes the servant songs: Christ humbled Himself to death, then God highly exalted Him.

L⁵et this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Did You Know?

Isaiah 52-53 is the clearest Old Testament portrait of substitutionary atonement. The Servant does not suffer for His own sins. He suffers for ours, and by His wounds we are healed.

The progression in the servant songs is breathtaking. The Servant begins as a humble agent of justice and ends as the exalted King before whom every knee will bow.

Peter quotes Isaiah 53 directly in his letter to suffering Christians. The cross was not a tragedy that caught God by surprise. It was the plan from the foundation of the world.