Thursday 22 December 2022

Background

This is the first of four passages in Isaiah known as Servant Songs. (The others are Isaiah 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12). Scholars have spent many hours debating who these verses refer to when they talk about 'the servant'. The Hebrew scriptures (the Old Testament) often refer to individuals such as kings or prophets as the Lord’s servant. The people of God are also called God’s servant. The servant in these passages may be a specific figure in history, yet they also have a wider application. Is the servant the human being we are all called to become?

In today's reading, God presents God’s servant to the people, one whose strength comes from God, who is chosen, and on whom God’s Spirit rests. (In the Old Testament the Spirit refers to the wisdom and power of God bestowed on those called to serve.) The servant’s power comes from God and the task of the servant is clear: to bring forth justice, which is not limited to the Jewish people, but extends to the nations. Yet the servant does not bring about justice through power and conquest. (v. 3)

In the second part of the passage (vs 5-9), God addresses the servant directly. The servant is given as a covenant to the people. (There are a number of covenants in the Old Testament between God and God’s people, special relationships with promises on both sides.) The servant will be a light to the nations. Verse 7 makes clear that the servant’s role is wide-ranging including healing of human illness and reform of oppressive political structures. 

Christians today read the Servant Songs and relate them to Jesus. The words spoken by God at Jesus’ baptism paraphrase Isaiah 42:1 (see Mark 1:11). In Luke 4:16-19 Jesus took words from elsewhere in Isaiah (61:1-2) which speak about good news to the poor, release of the captives, recovery of sight for the blind and freedom for the oppressed, and claimed their fulfilment in himself. 

To Ponder:

• What do you think it means for the servant to be given as a ‘covenant to the people’?
• "A bruised reed he will not break and a dimly burning wick he will not quench." (v. 3) The servant does not bring about justice through power and conquest. Do you think the Christian Church is ever justified in using power or coercion when seeking justice for the Church or others?
• If the servant title can apply in different ways, is the servant the human being we are all called to become?

Prayer

Holy God, you are passionate about justice. Give me courage and wisdom to speak up for those who do not receive it. Amen.