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Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (9 of 10)

Focus Text: Isaiah 53.10-12

Isaiah’s real hope for Israel was his hope for the Messiah. Like Paul of the New Testament, Isaiah knew that “the hope of Israel” (Acts 28.20) rested entirely upon the coming of Messiah. Isaiah drew word pictures of The Christ, pictures which revealed somewhat of His character, His ministry, and His effect upon man’s fallen state. Study with me as we focus on a few of these word pictures in today’s devotional.

“He [Messiah] will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.” (Isaiah 40.14). Isaiah likened The Christ to a shepherd, a shepherd who tenderly cared for his flock and who cared for those who were not able to care for themselves. Much of the LORD’s character is anticipated in this passage. He was to be a ruler but not at all like the ruthless rulers of this world; Messiah was to possess a loving and tender heart!

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law.” (Isaiah 42.1-4). This passage needs little comment; Messiah was to be God’s Elect Servant and He was to play a crucial role in executing justice among the gentiles. This passage anticipates the salvation of the Gentiles under the Gospel System.

“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53.10-12). As far as man is concerned, Messiah’s most important work is that of sin-bearer! Others might show compassion, others might even heal the sick or raise the dead, but no one could bear the sins of man and appease the Father’s demand for justice by interceding on our behalf; that was to Messiah’s most important work!

Through Isaiah’s telescope of prophesy, he saw what few had seen before; Isaiah saw “God with us!” What more glorious and meaningful picture could be painted? Sin had driven a wedge between man and God but God was determined to remedy the rift! Messiah was to be that remedy both then and now. Isaiah’s timeless message of hope is our message of hope and it will be the next generation’s message of hope; besides Him, there is no hope!

Questions:

1. What or who was the “hope of Israel”?

2. How was Jesus like a shepherd?

3. How was Jesus a Servant?

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