Context: Isaiah 51:1-57:21
Focus: Isaiah 53:1-12
It’s important to remind ourselves as we read Isaiah’s prophecy concerning God’s judgement that Judah was not at this time being threatened by Babylon. It is also important to note that Isaiah’s words concerning this judgement, the coming exile, and the provision for God’s salvation was falling on deaf ears. There were only two choices to stave off what was coming: repent and turn to God or face the same fate as the unbelieving world.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is the last of the four Servant Songs. As if looking through a telescope across a great open plain at an object far in the distance, time and space are condensed, Isaiah sees the Christ. These verses paint an accurate picture of Jesus, physically, emotionally, spiritually. He is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the promise to Abraham.
Although God was going to punish Judah for their sin the punishment was not meant to destroy them. It was meant to bring them to repentance. The nation of Israel was meant to be God’s light in the world. They had failed. But God was going to bring redemption to the world through them in the person of Jesus.
Sadly, even though Judah heard God’s message, the warnings of the coming judgement, and His promise of a future, they didn’t believe. They didn’t believe God.
“Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Isaiah 53:1
Choose a pastor or evangelist that you really listen to, trust in and respect and ask yourself this question: If that person was going around the country preaching and teaching that God was going to bring a horrible judgement on this country and today was the day of salvation would you believe it? What would be your response?
Think as your read this passage (Isaiah 53:1-12) of all the Servant/Christ endured. “How do these experiences help us understand our sin?”