Saturday, December 11, 2010

The Promise of His Coming (11)

We're spending a lot of time in Isaiah as we consider the promises that Jesus is coming, simply because we find so many promises in the prophet Isaiah! We move on and find another series of promises relating to the Lord's chosen servant.

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. (Isaiah 42:1-4)

The identity of the servant has been hotly disputed throughout Bible interpretation, with Jews insisting that it is Israel the nation that God is referring to here. I don't think that fits - and believe that the prophet Isaiah is promising the coming of the Lord Jesus - in three of these four verses justice is mentioned, Jesus is the coming judge, the one who will establish justice (and already has through his cross, demonstrating both God's mercy and his justice).

There is hope and encouragement for the weak, the bruised reed and the faintly burning wick, that they will not be broken or snuffed out. When he comes, there will be perfect justice. Come, o servant of the Lord!

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