Servant Songs

David Furr

Isaiah Paper 2

7-2-16

Olshine

        The “Servant Songs” refer to four poems in Isaiah: 42:1-7, 49:1-12, 50:4-11, and 52:13-53:12, describing the Servant of the Lord. Some have reasoned this servant to be David or Israel because they are also called servants in Isaiah. “For example, the phrase my servant in 41:8 clearly refers to Israel, the nation, whereas in verse 6 the servant has a ministry to Israel.  In these verses the servant of God is also God at work. Only in Jesus is that combination fulfilled as seen in his action and teaching in John 13.”1 There isn’t a clear consensus among scholars as to the identity of the servant; however, probably more agree that the Servant is the Messiah because of the descriptions offered in the passages. For the purpose of this paper, I will take the position that the identity of the Servant is Jesus Christ and explore why he is the one that seems to fulfill the criteria, as well as offer a closer examination of the first song, Isaiah: 42:1-7.

        In contemporary times, we think of a servant as one who is under another and is obligated to carry out the wishes of that individual. This position is not one considered with high standing or great respect; however, Houdmann points out the following: “In the ancient Near East, a servant was ‘a trusted envoy,’ ‘a confidential representative,’ ‘or one who is chosen.’”2 Therefore, the adjectives trusted, confidential, and chosen imply that the Servant mentioned in Isaiah would serve with purpose and authority. “He is considered to be royalty and the high priest, atoning for the sins of the world.”3 It is important to note, then, that the Servant of the Lord was considered royal, trustworthy, and chosen for his mission in such a way that he alone would be worthy of the task given to him by God.

        In Isaiah 42:1, we read, “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I        

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   1Phillip Hacking. Isaiah: Free to Suffer and to Serve, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1995), 118-9.

   2S. Michael Houdmann. “What Are the Four Servant’s Songs in Isaiah?” https://ebible.com/questions/14082-what-     are-the-four-servant-songs-in-isaiah. (accessed June 28, 2016).

   3Ibid, https://ebible.com/questions/14082-what-are-the-four-servant-songs-in-isaiah. (accessed June 28, 2016).

delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations” (NIV). So, this servant was chosen and brought delight to God. In the gospels, we read the Holy Spirit did descend upon Jesus after his baptism, fulfilling this prophecy. Lindsey notes, “It [Spirit of God] is a characteristic perfect, referring to Christ's continual enduement with the Spirit for His difficult ministry (Matt. 12:28)...the servant Messiah obviously had a permanent (Isa. 11:2) and plenary endowment of the Spirit.”4 Therefore, the role of the Spirit was important for the Servant’s mission to be successful. “The first of the Servant’s Songs introduced the Servant’s mission. The Lord works through a servant, an emissary, to deliver justice to the nations (42:1). Justice refers to the idea of a right way to live. Its application to the nations means that the Lord intends for the nations to work together in peace and harmony. The nations have confidence in the Lord’s servant just as adversaries in a conflict must trust a mediator to bring peace and healing.”5

        What will be the Servant’s characteristics or manner of service? In verses 2-3, we read that his authority will be in sharp contrast with worldly leaders: “He shall not cry in a way of contention or ostentation. He shall neither erect nor govern his kingdom with violence or outward pomp and state, like worldly princes, but with meekness and humility. He shall instruct those that oppose themselves, with all meekness and gentleness; he shall patiently endure the contradictions of sinners against himself, and not vindicate himself against their calumnies in an angry or clamorous manner–Lowth. He will not deal roughly or rigorously with those that come to him, but he will use all gentleness and kindness to them, bearing with their infirmities,

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   4F. Duane Lindsey. “The Call of the Servant in Isaiah 42:1-9.” (Dallas, Tx: Dallas Theological Seminary, 1982), 16. Digitally prepared for Gordon College: https://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/ted_hildebrandt/otesources/23-isaiah/text/isa-articles/lindsey-callofservant-isa42-bs.pdf. (accessed June 30, 2016).

   5Ivan D. Friesen. Isaiah. (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2009), 249.

cherishing and encouraging the smallest beginnings of grace, supporting and comforting such as are bowed down under the burden of their sins, and healing wounded consciences.”6 The Servant

of the Lord will serve with meekness, humility, gentleness, and kindness. This is certainly not what the people of Israel would visualize in the coming Messiah, but the book of Isaiah is clear that God’s chosen one would come with His blessings, the Holy Spirit’s presence, and authority, but he would serve with love and grace for his people. “The servant moves with gentle poise, secure in the knowledge that the nations will one day imitate God’s justice.”7

        In verse 3, we read, “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” Henry writes, “He is tender of those oppressed with doubts and fears, as a bruised reed; those who are as smoking flax, as the wick of a lamp newly lighted, which is ready to go out again. He will not despise them, nor lay upon them more work or more suffering than they can bear.”8 In verse 4, his faithfulness and perseverance are addressed: He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he established justice on earth. Ellicott clarifies this further: “Both verbs in the Hebrew point back to those of the previous verse, He shall not burn dimly nor be crushed, as if to teach that in helping others to strength and light, the servants of the Lord, after the pattern of the Servant, gain light and strength for themselves…The end of this verse, In his teaching the islands will put their hope, includes the Gentiles again. “The relation of “the servant” to the far