Monday 7 April 2025
"I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (v. 6)
Background
Today’s passage comes from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. More specifically, it comes from what is sometimes referred to as ‘Second Isaiah’ (40:1-55:13). These chapters seem to date from the years of the Babylonian Exile, after Jerusalem and its Temple were destroyed in 597 BC and the leaders of the Israelite people were forced from their homes by their enemies. This disaster had been repeatedly predicted in ‘First Isaiah’ (1:1-39:8) but in this central section of the book, God’s people are offered the hope of a return and a restoration.
One of the most striking features of this section of Isaiah are the so-called ‘Servant Songs’. The original author did not describe them as such, but in four places he records God speaking about a 'servant' with a very special role (42:1-4, 49:1-7, 50:4-11, 52:13-53:12). We are told that, “he will bring forth justice to the nations” (42:1), that God has given him, “the tongue of a teacher” (50:4), and that he, “shall be exalted and lifted up” (52:13), in addition to what we read in today’s verses.
Isaiah never tells us exactly who this servant is and it has been the subject of considerable debate. Most likely it refers to the nation of Israel (although in verses 5-6 he is being sent to minister to Israel). From the earliest days of the Church, though, Christians have identified the servant as Jesus, with many of the verses seeming to speak in detail about his suffering and death in particular. For this reason, they are often read in this season when we reflect on Christ’s suffering and death.
This second song here uses powerful imagery like a "sharp sword" and a "polished arrow" (v. 2), often drawing on other biblical passages, to describe the servant’s mission to bring back all those who have been exiled and dispersed. The servant seems to doubt his ability to carry out this divine mandate (v. 4) but God actually enlarges his calling, to serve not only Israel but to be light to all the nations.
To Ponder:
- Why might God need a servant with a "mouth like a sharp sword" (v. 2)?
- Can you think of other characters in the Bible who fear that they have "laboured in vain" (v. 4) but have ultimately been vindicated by God?
- In what ways do these verses seem to point to Jesus for you?
Prayer
Ever-living God, whose salvation reaches to the ends of the earth, give us strength when we fear that we have laboured in vain, that we might be a light to all the nations; in the name of Christ, our servant king. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Geoffrey Farrar
The Revd Geoffrey Farrar is the Superintendent Minister of the Richmond & Hounslow Circuit in south-west London. He has pastoral charge of Barnes, Putney and Roehampton churches. He is currently studying part-time for a PhD at the nearby University of Roehampton, looking at the impact of the Maccabean Revolt on responses to Jesus. He lives in Putney with his partner and their adopted son.