What does Isaiah 42:1 Mean?

Study Notes

servant
There is a twofold account of the Coming Servant:

(1) he is represented as weak, despised, rejected, slain:

(2) and also as a mighty conqueror, taking vengeance on the nations and restoring Israel (e.g. Isaiah 40:10 ; Isaiah 63:1-4 ). The former class of passages relate to the first advent, and are fulfilled; the latter to the second advent, and are unfulfilled.

Verse Meaning

Yahweh called on the nations to see (give attention to) His Servant, in contrast to the idols (cf. Isaiah 41:29). The Old Testament used "servant" to describe the relation of God"s people to Himself (cf. Psalm 19:11; Psalm 19:13). Individuals described themselves this way (e.g, Moses in Exodus 4:10; Joshua in Joshua 5:14; and David in 2 Samuel 7:19 and 1 Chronicles 17:17-19; 1 Chronicles 17:23-27), and others described them this way (e.g, Moses in Exodus 14:31; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in Exodus 32:13; and David in 1 Kings 8:24). "Servant of the Lord" describes Moses21times and Joshua twice. The Lord referred to the following entities as "my servant": Israel (14times, including seven times in Isaiah 40-55), Moses (six times), David (21times), the prophets (nine times), Job (seven times), and Nebuchadnezzar (twice). Isaiah"s explicit references to Cyrus call him Yahweh"s "shepherd" ( Isaiah 44:28) and His "anointed" ( Isaiah 45:1). ^[1] [source]

Yahweh would uphold, or grip firmly, this Servant; He would sustain Him with deep affection. He would be one in whom the Lord delighted wholeheartedly, not just one He would use (cf. Matthew 3:17; Matthew 17:5). The Lord would place His Spirit on this Servant, blessing Him with His presence and empowering Him for service (cf. Isaiah 11:2-4; Numbers 11:16-25; 1 Samuel 16:13; Psalm 33:6; Psalm 139:7; Matthew 3:16; Luke 4:18-19; Luke 4:21). This Servant would bring forth justice to the nations of the world (cf. Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 11:3-4; Isaiah 16:5). Justice (Heb. mishpat) connotes societal order as well as legal equity. The Gentiles would not find this justice on their own, but the Servant would bring it to them (cf. Isaiah 11:1-5; Isaiah 32:1). Jesus Christ will do this at His second coming. The Targum equated the Servant with Messiah. Modern Jews believe the Servant is Israel or the faithful within Israel. This was also the interpretation of Codex Vaticanus, but the following explanation of the Servant passages should rule out this view. [source][source]

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Context Summary

We cannot doubt the application of this passage to our Lord, Matthew 12:18-20. The unobtrusiveness of His life and work was clearly demonstrated in every hour of His sojourn among men. He silenced those whom He healed. He stole away from the multitudes for prayer. He stayed in Galilee till His brethren were angry at His reluctance to show Himself to the people. He did not "strive, nor cry."

How meek and lowly was our Lord! A "reed" is typical of a heart broken by unkindness or a sense of sin. There is no beauty in the russet plume. It will not even serve for the shepherd's pipe. The "smoking flax" cannot ignite, because hardly able to remain aglow. This is the symbol of one whose love is tardy and cold. But such our Lord does not ignore. He can use the commonest and most unlikely materials.

He is never discouraged and cannot fail; and since He cannot, neither shall the Church, nor shall we. His love and power are pledged to us. Let us sing to Him and of Him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Isaiah 42

¹  The office of Christ, graced with meekness and constancy
⁵  God's promise unto him
¹⁰  An exhortation to praise God for his Gospel
¹³  God will manifest himself, and check idolatry
¹⁸  He reproves the people of incredulity