Tuesday 19 April 2011

Background

In this part of our Holy Week journey, we read the secondServant Song in Isaiah. These are songs that give hope to a brokenand exiled nation, offering them the promise of a Messiah. From thepause and breathing space offered in chapter 42, the preceding chapters of Isaiah tothis point demonstrate the ways in which Israel are unfit toreceive the promised Messiah.

The Messiah would be one who would fulfil all that the nation ofIsrael was called to inhabit: a place of hope and blessing, healingand worship. The Servant of the Lord would embody these, in turndisplaying the splendour, beauty, holiness and glory of God.

Yet this servant is still hidden from view. This is a propheticvision of God's promised; one who is hidden in the shadow of God'shand ... concealed in God's quiver (verse 2). This song offers hopeto a nation, rather than specific answers.

In the midst of this Servant of the Lord, kings stand up inrecognition of the Messiah's authority. Princes will bow down insupplication to the servant who humbles them.

Yet this servant, to whom Christians foresee as Jesus, will also beknown because they are shunned and persecuted by the very people towhom he is sent. Kings will stand up to him and challenge hisauthority. Princes will bow and cower to them in mockery and pride.The servant, sent to serve and demonstrate God's glory, will alsobe taunted and rejected. Isaiah even says "abhorred" by God'schosen people.

God's salvation, brought into existence by this Messiah, is for allpeople. We read again the immortal words "to the end of the earth"(verse 6). This is not the challenge of a notorious or rebelliousleader. This is not the promise of a politician. This is not eventhe galvanising of a nation in revolution. This is God, sendingGod's light into the whole world. This is a light that will shinein the most dark and broken of places, and let all paying attentionsee God's splendour for themselves.

To Ponder

In verse 4, Isaiah talks about 'labouring invain'. When have you laboured in vain? What assurance does thispassage offer?

What does God's splendour look like for you?