Isaiah 50:4-9

Isaiah 50:4-9

[4] The Lord  GOD  hath given  me the tongue  of the learned,  that I should know  how to speak  a word  in season to him that is weary:  he wakeneth  morning  he wakeneth  mine ear  to hear  as the learned.  [5] The Lord  hath opened  mine ear,  and I was not rebellious,  neither turned away  back.  [6] I gave  my back  to the smiters,  and my cheeks  to them that plucked off  the hair: I hid  not my face  from shame  and spitting.  [7] For the Lord  GOD  will help  me; therefore shall I not be confounded:  therefore have I set  my face  like a flint,  and I know  that I shall not be ashamed.  [8] He is near  that justifieth  me; who will contend  with me? let us stand  together:  who is mine adversary?  let him come near  [9] Behold, the Lord  GOD  will help  me; who is he that shall condemn  me? lo, they all shall wax old  as a garment;  the moth  shall eat them up. 

What does Isaiah 50:4-9 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This is the third Servant Song (cf. Isaiah 42:1-4; Isaiah 49:1-6; Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12). Like the second Song of Solomon , this one is autobiographical, but unlike the first and second songs it contains no reference to the Servant. That it is the Servant who is speaking becomes unmistakable in Isaiah 50:10-11, the "tailpiece" of this song. But what the Servant says, even without that specific identification, leaves little doubt that it is He who is speaking. The obedient and faithful Servant, though deeply troubled, expresses confidence in His calling to proclaim the Lord"s Word and in His ultimate vindication. The reason for the Servant"s uneasiness becomes clearer in this passage. It is because obedience to God would lead to physical and emotional suffering ( Isaiah 50:5-6). The extent of this suffering comes out most clearly in the fourth song. [1]