Christ as the Servant of the Lord

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PASSAGE: Isaiah 49:1-26

COMMENT: This passage speaks of Jesus Christ as the servant of the Lord who will come to restore Israel and be a light to the Gentiles.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1.                   The Lord’s servant has a mouth like a sharp ___________.

2.                   The Lord’s servant is “him whom man _____________.”

3.                   The people of Israel will be gathered from far, from the north and the west; even from the land of __________ (an ancient name for China).

4.                   The Lord assures Israel that they have not been forsaken: “I have graven thee upon the _________ of my hands.”

5.                   God declares: “Behold, I will lift up mine ________ to the Gentiles, and set up my _________ to the people.”  (NOTE: In scripture, the phrase “the people” usually refers to the nation of Israel.)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1.                   In verse three, the servant is identified as Israel.  Yet the servant in this chapter is a clear reference to the coming of Israel’s Messiah, Jesus Christ.  In verse six, the servant of this chapter is “to restore the preserved of Israel.”  The servant who restores Israel cannot be the nation of Israel.  Jesus is Israel in that He, as Jacob who was named Israel, has power with God.  Yet, in verse four, the servant cries, “I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought.”  This must refer to the first coming of Jesus to earth.  How could He say such a thing?  (HINT: Compare this statement with His purpose as mentioned in verse six.)

2.                   The “servant” is mentioned four times in this chapter (v.3, 5, 6, 7).  A brief study of the chapter shows that it must refer to Jesus.  Matthew 12:18 quotes Isaiah 42:1-2 in reference to Jesus as the servant of the Lord.  Philippians 2:7 says that He took upon Him the form of a servant.  Explain how the Son of God could be referred to as a servant.  In what ways was He a servant?

3.                   Read verses 20-21 (“strait” means narrow or small).  What do you think is happening here?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1.                   Read verses 14-15.  Israel thinks that God has forgotten her.  God asked if a mother could forget her nursing baby.  He answers that, yes, it is possible.  But He still will not forget His people Israel.  Consider your life.  What are some times when you thought God had forgotten you?  How did He prove His love to you even in those times?

2.                   The Lord declares, “for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me” (v.23).  Look the word “ashamed” up in a dictionary and tell what you think this verse means. Pay special attention to the different meanings of the word.

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