Isaiah 50 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Isaiah 50

Israel’s Sin and the Servant’s Obedience

50:1   Thus says the LORD:
  “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce,
    with which I sent her away?
  Or which of my creditors is it
    to whom I have sold you?
  Behold, for your iniquities you were sold,
    and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.
2   Why, when I came, was there no man;
    why, when I called, was there no one to answer?
  Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem?
    Or have I no power to deliver?
  Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea,
    I make the rivers a desert;
  their fish stink for lack of water
    and die of thirst.
3   I clothe the heavens with blackness
    and make sackcloth their covering.”
4   The Lord GOD has given me
    the tongue of those who are taught,
  that I may know how to sustain with a word
    him who is weary.
  Morning by morning he awakens;
    he awakens my ear
    to hear as those who are taught.
5   The Lord GOD has opened my ear,
    and I was not rebellious;
    I turned not backward.
6   I gave my back to those who strike,
    and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;
  I hid not my face
    from disgrace and spitting.
7   But the Lord GOD helps me;
    therefore I have not been disgraced;
  therefore I have set my face like a flint,
    and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
8     He who vindicates me is near.
  Who will contend with me?
    Let us stand up together.
  Who is my adversary?
    Let him come near to me.
9   Behold, the Lord GOD helps me;
    who will declare me guilty?
  Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;
    the moth will eat them up.
10   Who among you fears the LORD
    and obeys the voice of his servant?
  Let him who walks in darkness
    and has no light
  trust in the name of the LORD
    and rely on his God.
11   Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
    who equip yourselves with burning torches!
  Walk by the light of your fire,
    and by the torches that you have kindled!
  This you have from my hand:
    you shall lie down in torment.

Commentary

v1-3: The Lord's willingness and power to save, and Israel would not be forgotten. Our confidence is in the Lord who does not lack strength. The words here about the Lord God are equally true of the Lord Jesus, who demonstrated willingness and power during His earthly ministry.

The wording of verse 1 is rhetorical - the Lord God would not divorce, nor sell, His people.

v4-6: Isaiah speaks of Jesus Christ the Servant of the Lord;

the tongue of the learned; no man spoke like this man, sustaining the weary, blessing those burdened;
the daily appointment with God; John 8.28, "as my Father taught me, I speak these things."
For the disciple, learning to follow His Master and example, he must hear from God those things that will be a blessing to the people of God.
the open ear; indicating a submission to His will, and a willingness to obey; as in John 4.34; Ps 40.6-8;
no retaliation, even in the face of unfair persecution, 1 Pet 2.23. Faithfulness to God brings persecution. The Servant was struck from behind and in front; enduring blatant and open, and secret and hidden persecution.

Such was the experience and example of Christ; the follower and disciple must seek to match this perfect character.

v7: Jesus Christ the Servant who will not fail nor be discouraged (42.4). The Father will not allow Him to fail, Rom 10.11. For us, we may go forward, faces set as flint, Luke 9.51, making single-minded progress.

v8: Our confidence in God; in Rom 8.31-39, there are a similar series of questions, designed to reveal the strength and grace of God, and to expand our confidence in Him.

He who justifies me is near, I need never fear the one who will contend against me. I can stand for the One who stands for me; Acts 27.23; 2 Tim 4.17. I can have confidence in the face of my adversary.

v9: Since God helps me, I will not be condemned. Those who oppose God's servant oppose God; therefore they will perish.

v10: The primary application is that Christ is the Servant, and we must obey His voice. The secondary application is to Israel, and then to Christians. Our part is to rely on the Lord.

v11: A reference to idolatry, the fire kindled, seeking protection from it, 44.15-17. There is judgment "from my hand," even to "lie down in torment." Such is the expectation of those who reject the true God.