Jesus was a warrior

JESUS WAS A WARRIOR
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Isaiah42:13 13The LORD will march out like a
champion, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a
shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over
his enemies.
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
Jehovahand Jehovah's Servant
Prof. G. A. Smith, D. D.
Isaiah42:1-17
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; my elect, in whom my souldelights; I
have put my spirit on him…
This servant is brought before us with all the urgency with which Jehovahhas
presentedHimself, and next to JehovahHe turns out to be the most important
figure of the prophecy. Does the prophet insist that God is the only source and
sufficiency of His people's salvation? It is with equal emphasis that He
introduces the servant as God's indispensable agent in the work. Cyrus is also
acknowledgedas anelectinstrument. But neither in closenessto God, nor in
effectupon the world, is Cyrus to be compared for an instant to the servant.
Cyrus is subservient and incidental But the servant is a character, to delineate
whose immortal beauty and example the prophet devotes as much space as he
does to JehovahHimself. As he turns againand againto speak of God's

omnipotence and faithfulness and agonising love for His own, so with equal
frequency and fondness does he linger on every feature of the servant's
conduct and aspect:His gentleness, His patience, His courage, His purity, His
meekness:His daily wakefulness to God's voice, the swiftness and brilliance of
His speechfor others, His silence under His own torments; His resorts —
among the bruised, the prisoners, the forwanderedof Israel, the weary, and
them that sit in darkness, the far-off heathen; His warfare with the world, His
face setlike a flint; His unworldly beauty, which men call ugliness;His
unnoticed presence in His owngeneration, yet the effectof His face upon
kings;His habit of woe, a man of sorrows and acquainted with sickness;His
sore stripes and bruises, His judicial murder, His felon's grave;His exaltation
and eternalglory — till we may reverently say that these pictures, by their
vividness and charm, have drawn our eyes awayfrom our prophet's visions of
God, and have causedthe chapters in which they occur to be oftener read
among us, and learned by heart, than the chapters in which God Himself is
lifted up and adored. Jehovahand Jehovah's servant — these are the two
heroes of the drama.
(Prof. G. A. Smith, D. D.)
Purpose and Method of the Redeemer
R. R. Meredith, D. D.
Isaiah42:1-17
I. THE REDEEMER'SPURPOSE. "He shallbring forth judgment to the
Gentiles";"He shall bring forth judgment unto truth," and He is to "set

judgment in the earth." The word "judgment," as here used, has no better
equivalent than righteousness,in the sense ofthat which is essentiallyright in
heart and life, both toward God and man. This righteousness — rightness —
in all the powers and operations of the soul, and in all its relations to God and
the universe, is the master-needof mankind. The Redeemerhas undertaken to
meet this greatneed of the world. He came not to establishcertain forms of
theologicalthought and expression;not to set up certain ecclesiastical
organisations andrituals — all these are of little worth, exceptin so far as
they can be made the means to a vastly grander end. Jesus Christ came to
establishessentialrighteousnessin individual human souls, and so in the
community and in the world. It is His grand purpose to enlighten the
ignorance, to quicken the conscience, to energise the will, to purify the
affections, and to exalt the aims of men, bringing them thus into harmony
with God. He came to make every wrong right — to break the oppressor's
yoke, to banish cupidity and caste, ignorance andselfishness, and every form
of sin. In the prosecutionof this sublime purpose the Redeemercalls all His
disciples into co-operationwith Himself. In this they are to find the
development of their ownspiritual character, andby this the world is to be
won for Christ.
II. THE REDEEMER'SMETHOD. This is setbefore us by the prophet in a
fourfold view —
1. As authorised. "BeholdMy Servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom
My souldelighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him." Here the Redeemeris
representedas acting under the appointment and authorisationof the Eternal
Father. Nor is it difficult to perceive why this is necessary. God, as the
Sovereign, againstwhomman has offended, was alone competentto
determine whether any mediation could be admitted betweenHimself and His
rebellious creatures, and, if any, what the nature of that mediation should be.
It is essentialto any man's faith in redemption that he should recogniseit as of
God from the beginning. The interposition of Christ is first of all, and more

than all, the manifestationof the Father's impartial and everlasting love for
lost men. The Redeemeris God, the equal of the Father in glory, majesty,
power, divinity, and eternity; but He is God manifest in the flesh. As it was
necessarythat the Redeemershould be authorised, so it was necessarythat the
authority under which He actedshould be explicitly attested. It was thus
attested. "Mine electin whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon
Him" (Luke 4:14). This aspectof His mission was clearlyunderstood by His
apostles (Acts 4:27; Acts 10:38). At intervals during His ministry there came
to Him Divine attestation;at its close He "was declaredto be the Son of God
with power, according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrectionof the
dead": and having ascendedto the Father He was constituted "Headover all
things to the Church," principlities and powers being made subject to Him,
for it pleasedthe Father that in Him should all fulness dwell."
2. As unostentatious (ver. 2). Messiah's missionwas to be distinguished by no
secularpomp, by no military glory. The Redeemer's appearancewas to be
lowly, His operations silentand unobtrusive. The Saviour of men is greatin
gentleness. Onthis point prophecy is mysteriously impressive. History
answers to prophecy. In the life of Jesus Christ there is a marvellous mingling
of grandeur and humility. The same principle pervades the whole of His
administration. There is marvellous grandeur, but there is deep lowliness. The
Gospelhas mysteriously subdued the hearts of men, forming into its own
spirit tempers and habits the most alien from its nature.
3. As compassionate. "Abruised reed," etc. Advancing to the realisationof
His sublime purpose the Redeemerwill not overlook the smallestacquisition;
and His attention will be especiallydirectedto those who are speciallyneedy,
weak, and helpless.
4. As persevering. "He shall not fail," etc. He was not discouraged. He
ploughed His way through all opposition from Bethlehem to Golgotha. The

risen and exalted Redeemeris moving steadily on to His final and complete
triumph.
(R. R. Meredith, D. D.)
The Coming Saviour
Sermons by the Monday Club
Isaiah42:1-17
About these chapters, as a unit, a halo of Messianic brightness gathers, like
the aureole with which painters surround the brow of Christ. In these verses
(1-11)the prophet taught that —
I. THE COMING SAVIOUR WAS TO SET UP A KINGDOM WHICH
SHOULD BE UNIVERSAL (vers. 1, 4, 6). Those whom Isaiahaddressed
supposedthat true religion was to reachthe world, if at all, through the
channels of Judaism; they thought the only way to heaven was through the
,portals of the JewishChurch. The prophet declares that the benefits of Christ
s kingdom are to extend to Jew and Gentile alike. No distinctions of race or
clime are to arrestits growth. No wonderthat under the thrill of such a vision
he shouts, "Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise from the end of the
earth!" It is sometimes said that the religious spirit of the Old Testamentis
narrow; that it makes Godbestow His favours on the few, and not on the
many. Can, however, a larger measure of grace be conceivedthan is here
expressed?

II. CHRIST'S KINGDOM WAS TO BE EXTENDED BYPEACEFUL
MEASURES (vers. 2, 3). The prophet addressedthose who thought religious
conquestwas to be achievedby force. Hitherto conflicts had marked the
intercourse of God's chosenpeople with the Gentiles. The Jews lookedfor
their coming king to be warlike. How strangely, then, does Isaiah describe
their conquering prince, — "He shall not cry," i.e. shout as He advances, "nor
lift up," i.e. make demonstration of His power, "nor shall He cause His voice
to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking
flax shall He not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth," i.e. truth
shall be His victorious weapon. The element in Christianity to which our text
refers makes that which is feeble among men powerful for Christ. It also
makes it possible for all Christ's servants to be efficient labourers. They
become such by imbibing the spirit of the Master. Notall canpublicly
proclaim the Gospel, but every one canseek for the "same mind which was in
Christ."
III. CHRIST'S KINGDOM WAS TO REVEAL GOD'S SYMPATHY WITH
MAN, ESPECIALLY IN HIS SUFFERING. (ver. 7). The primary reference
in these figures is undoubtedly to spiritual results. Eyes morally blind are to
be opened, and captive souls emancipated from the prison-house of sin. It is,
however, no less true that bodily and mental freedom are included in the
blessings ofMessiah's reign. The Church is now the representative of the
Divine sympathy for suffering; and she should not forgetthat, as of old,
believers will be multiplied when it is seenthat through her Christ now cares
for bodies as well as souls.
IV. CHRIST'S KINGDOM WAS TO FILL THE EARTH WITH JOY (vers.
10, 11). As lessons fromour subject we learn —

1. Christians should labour in hope. Isaiahsuggestsone of the strongestproofs
of our Lord's divinity by affirming, "He shall not fail nor be discourageduntil
He have setjudgment in the land." When we learn of the Masterwe catcha
hopeful spirit.
2. The results of serving Christ are permanent.
(Sermons by the Monday Club.)
The Coming Saviour
Homiletic Review
Isaiah42:1-17
I. OUR LORD'S CHARACTER AS PORTRAYED IN PROPHECY.
1. That our Lord should come as a servant(ver. 1).
(1) This was His own testimony when He came (Matthew 20:28; John 6:38).
(2) This is the testimony of the apostles (Philippians 2:6-8).

2. That our Lord was Divinely chosenfor His work. "Mine elect" (1 Peter2:6,
7).
3. That our Lord should be endowedwith the Holy Spirit. "I have put My
Spirit upon Him" (Matthew 3:16, 17;Luke 4:14, 18, 19; Hebrews 9:14;
Hebrews 1:9).
4. That our Lord would institute a religion for the Gentiles (ver. 1). Such is the
force of the word "judgment."
5. That His Spirit would be most tender and gentle (vers. 2, 3).
(1) This, surely, is a correctdescription of the historic Christ. His own
testimony (Matthew 11:29). The testimony of His apostles (Hebrews 7:26;
Hebrews 12:2, 3; 1 Peter2:21-24).
(2) In this He gave His disciples an example.
6. That His courage would be equal to His gentleness (ver. 4).
(1) It is not the noisy and boastful that are the most courageousand reliable.
(2) The deeper our convictionof the truthfulness of our cause the more patient
and gentle may we be in its advocacy.

(3) The commissionof Christ to His disciples proves His entire confidence in
the success ofHis cause.
II. OUR LORD'S COMMISSION FORETOLD IN PROPHECY.
1. In its authority (vers. 5, 9). The authority is the highest in respectto power
and principle.
2. In its purpose (ver. 7).
(1) Our Lord appropriates the terms of this commissionto Himself (Luke
4:17-19).
(2) This is the commissionHe fulfilled in His life.
III. BOTH THE CHARACTER AND COMMISSION OF CHRIST ARE
JUST INCENTIVES TO THANKSGIVING TO GOD (ver. 10).
1. All should praise God.
2. To praise Godfor Christ intelligently we must personally experience His
saving power.Lessons —
1. The study of prophecy is the imperative duty of every child of God.

2. The most inspiring portions of prophecy are those which centre in the
person and work of our Lord Jesus.
3. No prophecy canbe fully understood that is not interpreted in the light of
Christ's work. "Forthe testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
4. Christianity is a religion for the whole race (ver. 4).
5. The gentleness with which its advocates shouldbe characterisedand the
beneficent designs of its mission must commend it, when rightly represented,
to all nations, climes, and tongues.
6. Under no circumstances willour Lord justify His disciples in an advocacy
of His Gospelin a spirit antagonistic to His own.
7. Let all disciples of Christ copy His life, spirit and love, and work for the
gracious ends for which He lived and died!
(Homiletic Review.)
The Ideal Israelite
B. H. Alford.
Isaiah42:1-17

Long before Christ appeared in the flesh, He had already appeared in the
Spirit. The chapter carries us back to a time when the conceptionof a Saviour
definitely began. Up to then there had been vague presentiments; after then
there was a characterprepared for the Jesus who was to come. So it is with all
heroes, they are neededbefore they are born; they could not work their work
unless they were needed and discerned; they have prophets to begetthem as
well as parents.
I. AN ACTUAL NAME APPLIED. The title of "God's servant" is one that
runs through all Oriental language. The Israelite people at large had failed, —
the Jewishpeople, as reformed by Josiah, had failed, — it remained for God
to justify His purpose by manifesting a "new model," who should represent
Him rightly to the Gentiles.
II. AN IDEAL DESCRIPTIONGIVEN.
1. This genuine man of God must be a man of gentleness, andyet He should
inherit the earth.
2. A method equally new would prevail in religion; there the true Missionary
would proceedwith tolerance;He would not thrust His revelationupon aliens,
He would open their eyes to behold their own revelation;they also had lamps,
dimly-burning, but still alight. God's servant must not extinguish them, He
must revive them.

3. But to be gentle in forwarding the right, tolerant in inculcating the true,
tender in making allowancefor the weak — all this belongs to consummate
sympathy, and sympathy demands compensating qualities, for it has besetting
defects. Converse with sensitive consciencesis often enfeebling. Virtue goes
out of us in the endeavour to impart strength, and the infection of fear
overtakes the very physician. But our prophet has a strong intellect in view, a
Helper who shall not be bruised by anything He has to bear.
4. There is about the perfect characterthe distinction of patience. He burns
brightly in mind. He bears up bravely in heart, "until He have set judgment in
the earth." This true service has been fulfilled by the Carpenterof Nazareth
— His qualities are on record; His spirit lasts.
(B. H. Alford.)
The Ideal Servant's Work
Prof. S. R. Driver, D. D.
Isaiah42:1-17
The chief aspects ofthe ideal servant's work may be classedas follows:
1. He is to be the embodiment of a new covenantbetweenJehovahand His
people, to restore the actualnation exiled at the time in Babylon, and to
reestablishthem in their own land (Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah49:5, 6, 8).

2. But He has a missionnot to Israel merely, but to the world: He is to teach
the world true religion, and to be a "light of the Gentiles" (Isaiah42:1, 3, 6;
Isaiah49:6).
3. He is to be a prophet, patient and faithful in the discharge ofHis work, in
spite of the contumely and opposition which He may encounter(Isaiah 50:4-
9).
4. Being innocent Himself, He is to suffer and die for the sins of others (Isaiah
53:4-9).
(Prof. S. R. Driver, D. D.)
The Mediatoris the Centre
F. Delitzsch, D. D.
Isaiah42:1-17
1. In the circle of the kingdom of promise — the secondDavid.
2. In the circle of the people of salvation — the true Israel.

3. In the circle of humanity — the secondAdam.
(F. Delitzsch, D. D.)
The Mediatoris the Centre
F. Delitzsch, D. D.
Isaiah42:1-17
1. In the circle of the kingdom of promise — the secondDavid.
2. In the circle of the people of salvation — the true Israel.
3. In the circle of humanity — the secondAdam.
(F. Delitzsch, D. D.)
The Servant of the Lord
A. Maclaren, D. D.
Isaiah42:1-17

The figure, as it first appears in this half of what are calledIsaiah's
prophecies, evidently represents Israelas God intended it to be, chosenfor His
service and for the diffusion of His Name;the convictiongradually steals over
the prophet that the nation cannot discharge these functions, but that the
Israelwithin Israel, the devout core of the people, is the Servantof the Lord;
and finally, the knowledge seems to have been breathed into him that not even
"that holy seed" which "is the substance thereof" is adequate to do all that
the Servantof the Lord is to do; and thus finally the figure changes into a
Person, who can be and do all that Israelought to have been and done, but
was not, and did not. In other words, whether the prophet discernedit or no,
the role of the Servant of the Lord is only fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
(A. Maclaren, D. D.)
The Servitude of Jesus
J. Vaughan, M. A.
Isaiah42:1-17
I. IN CHRIST, SERVICE AND FREEDOMWERE PERFECTLY
COMBINED.He gave the service of being, the service of work, the service of
suffering, the service of worship, the service ofrest eachto the very highest
point of which that service is capable. But when He came, knowing as He did

all to which He was coming, He came with these words upon His lips, "I
delight to do it."
II. CHRIST HAD MANY MASTERS, AND HE SERVED THEM ALL WITH
PERFECTSERVICE.
1. There was His own high purpose, which had armed Him for His mission,
and never by a hair's-breadth did He ever swerve from that.
2. There was the law. The law had no right over Christ, and yet how He
served the law, in every requirement, moral, political, ceremonial, to the
smallesttittle.
3. There was death, that fearful master with his giant hand. Step by step, inch
by inch, slowly, measuredly, He put Himself under its spell, He obeyedits
mandate, and He owned its power.
4. To His Heavenly Father what a true Servant He was, not only in fulfilling
all the Father's will, but as He did it, in always tracing to Him all the power,
and giving back to Him all the glory.
III. THERE IS A DEPTHOF BEAUTY AND POWER, OF LIBERTYAND
HUMILIATION, OF ABANDONMENTAND LOVE, IN THAT WORD
"SERVANT," whichnone ever know who have not consideredit as one of the
titles of Jesus. But there is another name of Jesus, verydear to His people,
"The Master." To understand "the Master" you must yourself have felt "the
Servant."

(J. Vaughan, M. A.)
The Trinity in Unity
W. Cadman, M. A.
Isaiah42:1-17
This is the language ofthe Eternal Father;but it contains a description of our
blessedLord and Saviour in His character, as the Redeemer of the world.
Then the Spirit of God is representedas resting upon Christ, to qualify Him
for that work of redemption; and thus in this one verse we have brought
before us suggestions concerning the Father's sovereignwill, the Son's willing
obedience, and the Spirit's fulness of grace manifestedin the Personof the
Son, and the setting Him apart for His realwork.
I. THE SCRIPTURALREVELATION CONCERNING THE TRINITYIN
UNITY.
1. No one can doubt that Holy Scripture teaches the unity of God.
2. Yet Scripture speaks ofthis one God, this one Jehovah, Israel's Lord, as
revealing Himself in three distinct characters and relations, and only three.

3. Then Scripture attributes works and qualities to eachof these three Persons
which could not be attributed to them justly if eachof them were not truly
God.
4. Then Holy Scripture teaches, notwithstanding, that these Three Divine
Persons, eachspokenof as God, are yet one God, and this without any
difference or inequality.
II. THE PRACTICAL VIEW OF THE TRINITY WHICH THIS PASSAGE
CONTAINS. We gatherfrom it that it is the will of the Eternal Jehovahthat
the glory of the Trinity should be speciallymanifested in connectionwith the
Personand work of Christ. Observe the description of the SecondPersonin
the blessedTrinity.
1. He is God's Servant. How can the SecondPersonin the Trinity be spokenof
as the Servant of the EternalFather? The very expressiondenotes the
manhood of Christ. He cannot be a Servant except by creation, and His body
was createdin order that He might sustainthe position of Servant to the
Eternal God. "A body," we are told in the Epistle to the Hebrews, quoting
from the Psalms, "hastThouprepared Me... Lo, I come to do Thy will, O
God." Here is the Sonspeaking to the Father. Then the expressionGod's
"Servant" denotes the humiliation of our blessedLord (Philippians 2:7). As
God's servant we have to considerHim in connectionwith His office, as well
as with His humiliation and with His manhood. The office which He had to
sustain was to bring sinful men back again to God.
2. Then He is God's beloved — "Mine elect, in whom My souldelighteth."

3. The Man Christ Jesus has the Spirit of God — "I will put My Spirit upon
Him," that is, I will put it on Him as a garment. At the conception, and at His
baptism and ordination to His work, this was speciallymanifested. Then Jesus
had the Spirit for the specialwork which He had to perform as Mediator.
There were three objects to be accomplished, if man was to have a suitable
remedy. Man was ignorantof God's will through sin: he needed, therefore, a
prophet to teachhim, not only what to do, but the actualdoing of it, and Jesus
was anointed to be that Prophet. Then man was rebellious, and he needed,
therefore, a king who should rule over his inward passions, and subdue them,
as well as over his outward enemies, and quell them: and therefore Jesus was
anointed, that He might sustainthe office of King. And man was in a sinful
condition, under the curse of the broken law, and therefore he neededa priest
to sacrifice for him, and to make intercessionfor him, and Jesus was that
Priest, anointed with the Spirit of God, in order that He might make that
satisfaction, andoffer that sacrifice, and present that intercessionthrough
which sinners may be brought nigh unto God. Thus qualified, the Saviour will
"bring forth judgment to the Gentiles."
(W. Cadman, M. A.)
Isaiah42:13
The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man
In the ministry of the word, conquering and to conquer;
girding his "sword" on his thigh; causing his "arrows" to be sharp in the
hearts of his enemies;clothing the word with power; making the weapons of
warfare,
put into the hands of his ministering servants, mighty,

to pull down the "strong holds" of sin and Satan, to cast:down the proud
"imaginations" ofmen's hearts, and to bring into captivity every thought to
the obedience of
himself; or in the army of Constantine, whom he used as his instrument for
the destructionof the Paganempire, and of Paganismin it, and for the
establishment of Christianity: he shall stir up jealousylike a man of war;
or "a man of wars" F24;that has been used to fight battles; Christ is
representedas a warrior, ( Revelation19:11 ) , his church is in a warfare
state;his subjects are soldiers;his ministers are his generals under him, and
with them he goes forth, and stirs up his own jealousy, his wrath and fury
againsthis enemies, and takes vengeance onthem, and the jealousyof his
ministers and people, for his own glory: he shall cry, yea, roar;
not only shout aloud, as soldiers do, when they make an onset, but make a
hideous noise, as the old Romans did, to frighten and dispirit their enemies.
Christ, in the ministry of the word, not only cries, and calls, and invites souls,
sensible of themselves and their condition, to come unto him, and partake of
his grace;but he roars as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and threatens
impenitent and unbelieving sinners with his wrath and vengeance:he shall
prevail againsthis enemies:
he shall conquer and subdue them by his Spirit and grace, and make them his
willing people in the day of his power; and such who will not have him to
reign over them, he will rule them with a rod of iron, and break them in pieces
as a potter's vessel.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-
bible/isaiah-42-13.html
Isaiah42 The PromisedServant Series

Contributed by Chuck Musselwhite on Feb 29, 2016
(rate this sermon) | 6,420 views
Scripture: Isaiah42:1-13
Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Summary: Exposition of Isaiah42
1 2 3
Next
Isaiah42
The PromisedServant
The Characterof the Servant Vs. 1-4
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The Promises ofthe Servant Vs. 5-9

Sing a New Song Vs. 10-13
Intro: One Hit Wonders
Have you ever been to a concertof a musician who was a one hit wonder?
Sure they had made severalalbums but were only really known for one song?
When I was a kid Tommy Tutone was huge
His song 867-5309was a number one hit, but can you think of another song he
made?
Well he came to our fairgrounds to play a concertat the peak of his
popularity
The stadium was packedwith people excitedto hear him
The only problem was they were bored for the whole show until the last song
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Not only did people have no clue about his other songs they were terrible

He didn’t play his hit until the very end and most people walkedout
unsatisfied
We tend to make a big deal out of people who canwrite one goodsong
The music industry is filled with one hit wonders who never had another hit
But the true greats are artists and bands that cancrank out hit after hit
If you think about bands like The Beatles and U2, and artists like Elvis and
Part of their allure is that their stuff was goodand constant
As we getinto Isaiah 42 we get this beautiful picture of Jesus Christ
But insteadof describing him we geta list of his top hits and the list is
extensive
What makes it all so amazing is that it is wrapped in the packageofa servant,
not a rock star
ReadIsaiah 42:1-4

Transition:
The preceding messagesdealwith God’s words of comfort and
encouragement, whichwere supposed to cause the people in Jerusalemto look
to God for strength and deliverance
The Israelites who heard these words should put their trust in the sovereign
powerand plan of God in their time of crisis. God will be their help now
Eventually God himself will come to Zion in powerto care for his people,
reward those who trust him, and transform this world
But how will this holy God transform this world so that he can dwell among
his people and rule it in power?
God introduces a specialservantwho will help his people, bring justice to the
earth, and serve as a light to all the nations of this world.
This prophecy doesn't specify the name of the person but you get a clear
picture that its Jesus
Isaiah42 is one of the clearestpictures we getof Jesus’role in his first coming
This is the first of four passagesthat are typically called “servantsongs” (the
others are in 49:1–6;50:4–11;52:13–53:12).

Although there is a brief song of praise to God at the end of this servant
oracle, the title “song” is somewhatmisleading because 42:1–9is not a song
but more like an installation or commissioning
God presents his servant in 42:1–4 to his people, accompaniedwith words of
divine approval, empowerment, and predictions of success.
Once the servant is introduced God speaks directly to the servant(42:5–9),
reassuring him of God’s power and commissioning him to a task.
The Characterof the Servant vs. 1-9
Vs. 1 Behold my Servant whom I uphold, in whom my soul delights
First let’s look at the characterofthe servant
The New King James Versionrightly capitalizes Servant, because the context
demonstrates this is a clearreference to Jesus.
Additionally, Matthew quotes Isaiah42:1-5 and plainly says it is a prophecy
fulfilled in Jesus
Matt 12:18-21 Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with
whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will

proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will
anyone hear his voice in the streets;
This is God’s chosenservant, the one who comes to save the world
So in this, the LORD commands all peoples to put their focus on Jesus.
Jesus describedHimself as a servant and we should follow his lead
Mark 9:35 And he sat down and calledthe twelve. And he said to them, “If
anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
Whoeverdesires to become greatamong you, let him be your servant.
And whoeverdesires to be first among you, let him be your slave;just as the
Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a
ransom for many
But Jesus isn’t just a servant. He is The Servant, and every one should behold,
as the LORD says, My Servant.
Paul describes this in Phil 2:5-10
We should have the same attitude of Christ, in being God did not consider
himself equal to God but loweredhimself to the point of a servant

When Jesus saidlet him be your servant, it means being a servant is a choice.
But Jesus, the Servant, is more than an example to us.
Who did He come to serve?
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He is our Servant. He serves us; not only in what He did in the past, but also
He serves us every day through His constantlove, care, guidance, and
intercession.
Jesus did not stop serving when he went to heaven; He serves all His people
more effectively than ever from heaven.
Vs. 1b I will put my Spirit upon Him

Jesus was filled with the Spirit, and did ministry in the powerand flow of the
Holy Spirit
Matt 3:16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the
water, and behold, the heavens were openedto him, and he saw the Spirit of
God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
Through that Spirit Jesus will bring forth justice to the nations
He will right every wrong, restore order to a world gone awry
This justice is for all those who follow him who have been persecuted
It is not one nation againstanother but for those harmed for their faith
Jesus is watching and when he returns he will remember
Vs. 3 Gentle: A bruised reed He will not break
While on earth he will have a very gentle nature
This is another reference to the gentle characterof Jesus.

A reed is a fairly fragile plant, yet if a reed is bruised, the Servantwill handle
it so gently that He will not break it.
Often we feelthat God deals roughly with our weaknessesand failures.
Just the opposite is true. He deals with them gently, tenderly, helping them
along until the bruised reed is strong and the smoking flax is in full flame.
Vs. 4 Strong: He will not fail nor be discouraged:
This is the secondreference to justice we have seenin his character
The Servant is gentle, but not weak. He will bring forth justice for truth.
There aren’t two ways about it; it will happen, and discouragementwill not
stop the Servant.
Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus nevergets discouraged?
When we think of the job that He has to do, the obstacles He must overcome,
and the tools He needs to work with, it is amazing that He never becomes
discouraged.
It is because He has all powerand authority!

Faint is the same word as smoking in smoking flax He will not quench.
Discouragedis the same word as bruised in a bruised reedHe will not break.
He is wellable to do the task of redemption because He is free from all the
weaknessesand failures of His people.
He has no flaws or blemishes - He is perfection and majestic strength.”
(Redpath)
The Marks of the New Servant vs. 5-9
Vs. 5 Initiated by God (Thus says the Lord)
The promise of the Servantand His ministry is so wonderful, that the One
making the promise should state His credentials.
Just as when we take out a loan, the bank asks forassurance we canfulfill our
promise, so this verse is another “credit check”on God.
God the LORD is more than happy to do so.
First look up, because He createdthe heavens and stretchedthem out.

Then look down, because He spread forth the earth and that which comes
from it.
Then look in a mirror, because He gives breath to the people on it.
The God who did such greatthings can fulfill His promises about the Servant!
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Vs. 6 He calledyou in righteousness
Specifically, this is a promise from the LORD to the Servant - Jesus Christ.
What encouragementJesus must have receivedfrom passageslike this when
He faced difficult and trying times during His earthly ministry!

“Because there was nothing unholy or unrighteous in My calling, You can be
confident that the calling will be fulfilled.”
Vs. 6c Led by God (Take you by the hand)
“I am with You always, to love and guide You. I will never leave You. I am
holding Your hand all the time!”
Vs. 6d Covered by God (I will keepYou)
“You will not getlost or left behind. I am always there to watch over You and
keepYou.”
Vs 6e A New Promise & Light (give You as a covenant, as a light to the
Gentiles)
“You will fulfill the purpose I have calledYou to. You will bring salvation, not
only to Your people, but also to those afar off, who seembeyond salvation.”
Vs. 7 To open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison:
“I will use You to do miraculous works of restorationand healing, both
physically and spiritually. You will be used to bring sight and freedom to
many.”

What glorious promises, eachfulfilled in the ministry of Jesus!
By extension, these promises also belong to us.
John 17:18 Jesus prayed, As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them
into the world
We are sent as Jesus was sent, and canreceive these same promises as
belonging to us.
Vs. 8 I am the LORD, that is My name:
Such glorious promises need confirmation, and the assurance thatthe one
making the promises is able to fulfill them.
I am the LORD: “This is the famous tetragrammaton, or name of four letters,
which we write Jehovah, Yehovah. The letters are Y H U H.
The Jews neverpronounce it, and the true pronunciation is utterly unknown.”
Vs. 8b My glory I will not give to another:
First, no one else canfulfill these promises, because Godwill not share His
glory with any other.

It is important to understand that Jesus shares in the glory of the Father.
John 17:5 Jesus prayed, And now, O Father, glorify Me togetherwith
Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
If God the Sonand God the Fathereachshare glory, and the LORD shares
His glory with no one, it means that the Father and the Son are the LORD
God. The LORD God - Yahweh - is one Godin Three Persons.
Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I declare:God is
master of both the past (the former things) and the future (new things). Being
the masterof both the future and the past, God has the present well in hand
also.
We see this especiallyin the way that God candeclare … new things, even
before they spring forth. As Petersaid, so we have the prophetic word
confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place (2
Peter1:19). God’s prophetic word fulfilled shows us the confidence we can
have in His word.
The Song to the Servant vs. 10-13
Psalm33:3

COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(13) The Lord shall go forth . . .—The boldly anthropomorphic image
prepares the way for the yet more awful picture of Isaiah63:1, which belongs
outwardly to the same region. As if roused from slumber, Jehovahstirs up His
jealous indignation againstthe idols, which had seemedto sleep, and rushes to
the battle as with the war-cry of a mighty one.
BensonCommentary
Isaiah42:13-15. The Lord shall go forth — Namely, to battle againsthis
enemies. He shall stir up jealousy — His fierce indignation againstthe
obstinate enemies of his Son and gospel. He shall cry, yea, roar — As a lion
doth upon his prey, and as soldiers do when they begin the battle. I have long
time held my peace — I have been long silent, and not interposed in behalf of
my cause, but have suffered Satan and his servants to prevail in the world, to
afflict my people, and hinder the entertainment of my doctrine and worship
among mankind; and this my forbearance has increasedthe presumption of
my enemies. Now will I cry like a travailing woman — Now I will no more
contain myself than a woman in the pangs of travail can forbear crying out:
but I will give vent to my just resentments for the injuries offeredto myself
and my oppressedpeople, by bringing some exemplary punishment upon their
oppressors. Iwill destroy and devour at once — I will suddenly and utterly
destroy the incorrigible enemies of my truth. When men’s provocations come
to a greatheight, Godis representedin Scripture as if his patience were quite
tired out, and he could no longer forbearpunishing them: see Jeremiah15:6;
Jeremiah44:22. I will make waste mountains and hills — He does not mean
dry and barren ones, for these were waste already, but such as were clothed
with grass and herbs. Which clause is to be understood metaphorically of
God’s destroying his most lofty and flourishing enemies, often compared in
Scripture to mountains and hills. I will dry up the pools — Remove all the
sources oftheir prosperity and comfort. “As God’s mercy is representedby
pouring waterupon the dry ground, chap. 35:6, and 44:3, so his wrath is

describedas if it were a consuming fire, parching up every thing, and
reducing it to barrenness.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
42:13-17 The Lord will appearin his power and glory. He shall cry, in the
preaching of his word. He shall cry aloud in the gospelwoes, whichmust be
preachedwith gospelblessings, to awakena sleeping world. He shall conquer
by the powerof his Spirit. And those that contradict and blaspheme his
gospel, he shall put to silence and shame;and that which hinders its progress
shall be taken out of the way. To those who by nature were blind, God will
show the way to life and happiness by Jesus Christ. They are weak in
knowledge, but He will make darkness light. They are weak in duty, but their
way shall be plain. Those whom God brings into the right way, he will guide in
it. This passageis a prophecy, and is also applicable to every believer; for the
Lord will never leave nor forsake them.
Barnes'Notes on the Bible
The Lord shall go forth - This and the following verses give the reasons why
they should praise Yahweh. He would go forth in his might to overcome and
subdue his foes, and to deliver his people. In his conquests, and in the
establishment of his kingdom, all people would have occasionto rejoice and be
glad.
As a mighty man - As a hero, as a warrior. Yahweh is often in the Scriptures
representedas a hero, or a man of war:
Yahweh is a man of war:
Yahweh is his name. - Exodus 15:3.
Who is this King of glory?

Yahweh, strong and mighty;
Yahweh mighty in battle. - Psalm24:8.
Compare Psalm 45:3; Isaiah27:1; Isaiah 30:30,
He shall stir up jealousy - He shall rouse his vengeance,orhis indignation.
The word ‫האנק‬ qin'âh means vengeance, orindignation, as wellas jealousy.
The image here is that of a warrior who rushes on impetuously to take
vengeance onhis foes.
He shall cry - He shall give a shout, or a loud clamor. Warriors usually
entered a battle with a loud shout, designedto stimulate their own courage,
and to intimidate their foes. All this language is takenfrom such an entrance
on an engagement, anddenotes the fixed determination of God to overthrow
all his enemies.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
13-16. Jehovahwill no longer restrain His wrath: He will go forth as a mighty
warrior (Ex 15:3) to destroy His people's and His enemies, and to deliver
Israel(compare Ps 45:3).
stir up jealousy—rouse His indignation.
roar—image from the battle cry of a warrior.

Matthew Poole's Commentary
Shall go forth, to wit, to war, or battle, as this phrase is used, Numbers 1:3,28
2 Samuel 11:1.
He shall stir up jealousy;he shall stir up himself, and his strength, and anger,
againstthe obstinate and implacable enemies of his Son and gospel.
He shall cry, yea, roar, as a lion doth upon his prey, and as soldiers do when
they begin the battle.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man,.... In the ministry of the word,
conquering and to conquer; girding his "sword" onhis thigh; causing his
"arrows" to be sharp in the hearts of his enemies;clothing the word with
power;
making the weapons of warfare, put into the hands of his ministering
servants,
mighty, to pull down the "strong holds" of sin and Satan, to cast:down the
proud "imaginations" of men's hearts, and to
bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of himself; or in the army
of Constantine, whom he used as his instrument for the destruction of the
Paganempire, and of Paganismin it, and for the establishment of
Christianity:

he shall stir up jealousylike a man of war; or "a man of wars" (x); that has
been used to fight battles; Christ is representedas a warrior, Revelation
19:11, his church is in a warfare state; his subjects are soldiers;his ministers
are his generals under him, and with them he goes forth, and stirs up his own
jealousy, his wrath and fury againsthis enemies, and takes vengeanceon
them, and the jealousyof his ministers and people, for his own glory:
he shall cry, yea, roar; not only shout aloud, as soldiers do, when they make
an onset, but make a hideous noise, as the old Romans did, to frighten and
dispirit their enemies. Christ, in the ministry of the word, not only cries, and
calls, and invites souls, sensible of themselves and their condition, to come
unto him, and partake of his grace;but he roars as the Lion of the tribe of
Judah, and threatens impenitent and unbelieving sinners with his wrath and
vengeance:
he shall prevail againsthis enemies:he shall conquer and subdue them by his
Spirit and grace, and make them his willing people in the day of his power;
and such who will not have him to reign over them, he will rule them with a
rod of iron, and break them in pieces as a potter's vessel.
(x) "sicut vir bellorum", Montanus;"vir bellicosissimus", Junius &
Tremcellius, Piscator.
Geneva Study Bible
The LORD shall go forth as a {r} mighty man, he shall stir up jealousylike a
man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail againsthis enemies.
(r) He shows the zeal of the Lord, and his powerin the conservationofhis
Church.

EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
13. The reasonfor the universal exultation; Jehovahtakes the field againstHis
enemies. The gracious side of His intervention is reservedfor Isaiah 42:16.
The Lord shall go forth] The technical expressionfor the initiation of a
campaign(2 Samuel 11:1; Amos 5:3 &c.)
as a mighty man (or, hero) … a man of war] Similar representations in ch.
Isaiah28:21, Isaiah 59:16 f.; Exodus 15:3; Zechariah14:3, &c. Jealousy
(better, zeal) means “passion” in very varied senses.Here it seems equivalent
to the “battle fever.” see ch. Isaiah 9:7.
he shall cry, yea, roar] He shall raise His battle cry, yea, shout aloud.
he shall prevail] R.V. “he shall do mightily”; lit., he shall play the hero. The
form occurs elsewhereonly in Job (Job 15:25, Job 36:9).
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 13. - The Lord shall go forth. The exhortation to "sing unto the Lord a
new song" ends with ver. 12, and now the reasonor groundwork for the
exhortation has to be declared. God is about to make one of the great
manifestations of his powerupon the earth - to "go forth" againsthis enemies,
and destroy and devour, and easilyprevail againstthem - not, however,
simply in the way of punishment and vengeance, but with a further merciful
object. He will punish Babylon, that he may deliver Israel. He has promised
not to forsake his people (Isaiah41:17). He is now about to give effect to his
promise by a "new" and strange deliverance. He "will bring his people by a
way that they knew not, and lead them in paths that they have not known"

(ver. 16). It has been saidthat "in effectit is the day of judgment which is here
described" (Cheyne); but this seems to be only so far true as every
manifestation of God's wrath towards his enemies is a foreshadowing ofthe
greatand awful day. The event directly in view is the destruction of the
Babylonian powerby the irresistible arms of Cyrus. Hence the allusion to
idolaters and images in ver. 17. As a mighty man... like a man of war. (For
similar anthropomorpbisms, see Exodus 15:3; Psalm 24:8.) He shall stir up
jealousy;i.e. his own jealousy. God is "a jealous God" (Exodus 20:5), so much
SO that his very "name is Jealous"(Exodus 34:14). He is jealous for his own
honour (supra, ver. 8), and jealous also for his people's honour and reputation
and happiness. Occasionallyhe allows his jealousyto slumber (comp. Acts
12:30, "The times of this ignorance God winkedat"); and this he had now
done for some fifty or sixty years, since his people were carried into captivity.
But the time of acquiescencehas gone by - he is about to wakenup his
"smouldering jealousy, and stir it, till it burns up into a bright flame"
(Delitzsch). He shall cry, yea, roar; rather, yea, shout; i.e. utter his battle-cry
with a clear, loud voice.
Keil and DelitzschBiblical Commentary on the Old Testament
The words of Jehovah are now addressedto His servant himself. He has not
only an exalted vocation, answering to the infinite exaltationof Him from
whom he has receivedhis call; but by virtue of the infinite might of the caller,
he may be wellassuredthat he will never be wanting in power to execute his
calling. "Thus saith God, Jehovah, who createdthe heavens, and stretched
them out; who spreadthe earth, and its productions; who gave the spirit of
life to the people upon it, and the breath of life to them that walk upon it: I,
Jehovah, I have calledthee in righteousness, andgraspedthy hand; and I
keepthee, and make thee the covenantof the people, the light of the Gentiles,
to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners out of the prison, them that sit in
darkness out of the prison-house." The perfect 'âmar is to be explained on the
ground that the words of God, as comparedwith the prophecy which
announces them, are always the earlier of the two. ‫לנק‬ (the absolutely Mighty)
is an anticipatory appositionto Jehovah(Ges. 113**). The attributive
participles we have resolvedinto perfects, because the three first at least
declare facts of creation, which have occurredonce for all. ‫אהיטקנ‬ is not to be

regardedas a plural, after Isaiah 54:5 and Job 35:10;but as ‫אהונ‬ precedes it,
we may take it as a singular with an original quiescentYod, after Isaiah5:12;
Isaiah22:11; Isaiah26:12. On ‫עהו‬ (constructof ‫,)עהו‬ see Isaiah40:19. The ‫ה‬ of
tcerid tsom sti ni ereh desu,haiasI dna boJ ni htob dnuof drow a)‫הצנצנטק‬
sense, to signify the vegetable world) must be takenin accordancewith the
sense, as the Vav of appurtenance; since ‫והע‬ may be affirmed of the globe
itself, but not of the vegetable productions upon it (cf., Genesis 4:20;Judges
6:5; 2 Chronicles 2:3). Neshâmâhand rūăch are epithets applied to the divine
principle of life in all createdcorporealbeings, or, what is the same thing, in
all beings with living souls. At the same time, neshâmâhis an epithet
restrictedto the self-conscious spirit of man, which gives him his personality
(Psychol. p. 76, etc.);whereas rūăchis applied not only to the human spirit,
but to the spirit of the beast as well. Accordingly, ‫נע‬ signifies the human race,
as in Isaiah40:7. What is it, then, that Jehovah, the Author of all being and all
life, the Creatorof the heaven and the earth, says to His servant here? "I
Jehovahhave calledthee 'in righteousness'"(betsedeq:cf., Isaiah45:13,
where Jehovahalso says of Cyrus, "I have raisedhim up in righteousness").
r eb ot,‫צדה‬ morf devired ,‫צדה‬igid, straight, denotes the observance of a fixed
rule. The righteousness ofGod is the stringencywith which He acts, in
accordancewith the will of His holiness. This will of holiness is, so far as the
human race is concerned, and apart from the counsels ofsalvation, a will of
wrath; but from the standpoint of these counsels it is a will of love, which is
only changedinto a will of wrath towards those who despise the grace thus
offered to them. Accordingly, tsedeqdenotes the action of God in accordance
with His purposes of love and the plan of salvation. It signifies just the same as
what we should call in New Testamentphraseologythe holy love of God,
which, because it is a holy love, has wrath againstits despisers as its obverse
side, but which acts towards men not according to the law of works, but
according to the law of grace. The word has this evangelicalsense here, where
Jehovahsays of the Mediatorof His counsels oflove, that He has calledHim
in strict adherence to the will of His love, which will show mercy as right, but
at the same time will manifest a right of double severity towards those who
scornfully repel the offered mercy. That He had been called in righteousness,
is attestedto the servant of Jehovahby the fact that Jehovah has takenHim
by the hand (‫הנחאד‬ contractedafter the manner of a future of sequence), and

guards Him, and appoints Him ‫לםוטּג‬ ‫ענ‬ ‫לנהו‬ ‫.תהטנ‬ These words are a decisive
proof that the idea of the expression"servantof Jehovah" has been elevated
in Isaiah 42:1., as compared with Isaiah41:8, from the national base to the
personalapex. Adherence to the national sense necessarilycompels a resort to
artifices which carry their owncondemnation, such as that ‫נע‬ ‫ּגטום‬ signifies
the "covenantnation,"as Hitzig supposes, or"the mediating nation," as
Ewald maintains, whereas eitherof these would require ‫ענ‬ ‫;םוטּג‬ or "national
covenant" (Knobel), in support of which we are referred, though quite
inconclusively, to Daniel 11:28, where ‫אוטּג‬ ‫הדר‬ does not mean the covenant of
the patriots among themselves, but the covenantreligion, with its distinctive
sign, circumcision;or even that ‫נע‬ is collective, and equivalent to ‫נטמע‬
(Rosenmller), whereas ‫נע‬ and ‫,נטהג‬ when standing side by side, as they do here,
can only mean Israel and the Gentiles; and so far as the passagebefore us is
concerned, this is put beyond all doubt by Isaiah49:8 (cf., Isaiah42:6).
An unprejudiced commentator must admit that the "servant of Jehovah" is
pointed out here, as He in whom and through whom Jehovahconcludes a new
covenantwith His people, in the place of the old covenant that was broken -
namely, the covenantpromised in Isaiah54:10; Isaiah61:8; Jeremiah 31:31-
34; Ezekiel16:60. The mediator of this covenant with Israel cannotbe Israel
itself, not even the true Israel, as distinguished from the mass (where do we
read anything of this kind?); on the contrary, the remnant left after the
sweeping awayof the mass is the objectof this covenant.
(Note:This is equally applicable to V. F. Oehler(Der Knecht Jehova's im
Deuterojesaia, 2 Theile, 1865), who takes the "servantof Jehovah" as far as
Isaiah52:14 in a national sense, and supposes "the transition from the
'servant' as a collective noun, to the 'servant' as an individual," to be effected
there; whereas two younger theologians, E. Schmutz (Le Serviteur de Jhova,
1858)and Ferd. Philippi (Die bibl. Lehre vom Knechte Gottes, 1864), admit
that the individualizing commences as early as Isaiah42:1.)

Nor canthe expressionrefer to the prophets as a body, or, in fact, have any
collective meaning at all: the form of the word, which is so strongly personal,
is in itself opposedto this. It cannot, in fact, denote any other than that
Prophet who is more than a prophet, namely, Malachi's "Messengerofthe
covenant" (Isaiah3:1). Amongst those who suppose that the "servant of
Jehovah" is either Israel, regardedin the light of its prophetic calling, or the
prophets as a body, Umbreit at any rate is obliged to admit that this collective
body is lookedat here in the ideal unity of one single Messianic personality;
and he adds, that "in the holy countenance ofthis prophet, which shines forth
as the idea of future realization, we discern exactly the loved features of Him
to whom all prophecy points, and who saw Himself therein." This is very
beautiful; but why this roundabout course? Letus bear in mind, that the
servant of Jehovahappears here not only as one who is the medium of a
covenantto the nation, and of light to the Gentiles, but as being himself the
people's covenantand heathen's light, inasmuch as in his ownperson he is the
band of a new fellowship betweenIsraeland Jehovah, and becomes in his own
person the light which illumines the dark heathenworld. This is surely more
than could be affirmed of any prophet, even of Isaiahor Jeremiah. Hence the
"servantof Jehovah" must be that one Personwho was the goaland
culminating point to which, from the very first, the history of Israel was ever
pressing on; that One who throws into the shade not only all that prophets did
before, but all that had been ever done by Israel's priests of kings;that One
who arose out of Israel, for Israel and the whole human race, and who stood
in the same relation not only to the wider circle of the whole nation, but also to
the inner circle of the best and noblest within it, as the heart to the body which
it animates, or the head to the body over which it rules. All that Cyrus did,
was simply to throw the idolatrous nations into a state of alarm, and setthe
exiles free. But the Servant of Jehovahopens blind eyes;and therefore the
deliverance which He brings is not only redemption from bodily captivity, but
from spiritual bondage also. He leads His people (cf., Isaiah 49:8-9), and the
Gentiles also, out of night into light; He is the Redeemerofall that need
redemption and desire salvation.

Jesus as Warrior: A Reflection
By Tom Collingwood
7 May AD 2018
Therefore, take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in
the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)
The Easterseasonis a time of reflection and, as the seasonmoves forward,
those reflections canmove awayfrom oneselfto Jesus. In any deliberation,
regardless oftopic, it is hard for me to start out and not place myself in the
process since that is where my thoughts tend to start.
Wars
Various careers overthe years involved me in many so-calledwars – the war
on communism, the war on drugs, the waron crime and delinquency, the war
on inactivity and the war on the neglectand squandering of nature. These
“wars“ canbe seenas conflicts to be confrontedand “defeated”. In that
context, for better or for worse, I have had to develop a warrior attitude about
what I perceive as injustice or evil.
The image of Jesus so often portrayed in Scripture, in art, and in homilies is
that of one who will bring peace and mercy unto the world. While all that is
true, I believe there is also a “warrior” side to Jesus Christthat is exhibited in
Scripture from the very start of his ministry to his passionand resurrection.
Jesus the Warrior

I like to think of Jesus as a warrior, but of a different kind. In reflecting on
the various Gospelnarratives where Jesus confronts the Pharisees, Sadducees
and scribes it canappear at times (such as in Matt 23:12) that Jesus is a
spiritual warrior in a new type of “war”. We especiallysee him as a warrior
from Lenten Sunday mass readings where he confronts Satanin the desert in
Mark 1:12-13 and cleansesthe temple of the moneychangers in John 2: 13-25.
In thinking about his words, it appears that he is not so much at war with
people, as with their sins of arrogance, temptation, indifference, irreverence
and contradictionbetweenwords and deeds. While he preaches peace and
mercy, he is not shy about confronting what needs to be challenged. I am
reminded of the words of Isaiah42:13:
The LORD will go forth like a hero, like a warrior he stirs up his ardor; He
shouts out his battle cry, againstthe enemies he shows his might
Jesus’RealWar
So what was the real warhe fought and for which he had to pay such a high
price? I think it canbe summed up as the war on sin and its consequences –
death. Becausehe was a willing warrior, we cannow enjoy the benefits of his
victory, a victory that enables us to overcome our sinfulness, to defeatdeath
and to spend eternity with him. Sin and death are formidable foes. Focusing
on Jesus’s passionbrings to life the awesome“war” thathe waged.
At Mass, the other day I was looking up at the massive crucifix we have
hanging from the ceiling above the altar of our church and thought of the
“wars” he waged. Reflecting onhis passionthere is no question Jesus
approachedconflict and pain with the heart of a warrior. In praying the
sorrowfulmysteries of the rosarythe images from the movie The Passionof
the Christ bring out in vivid colorwhat he suffered – anxiety, agony, torture,
humiliation, abandonment, pain, exhaustionand death. His passionwas a
warrior’s passionand he endured to be resurrected.

Battle Cry
Contributed by Glenn Hamel on Nov 17, 2004
based on 12 ratings (rate this sermon) | 7,265 views
Scripture: Isaiah42:13
Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Summary: Inspirational message to stand up and fight againstSatan.
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Battle Cry
Sound the trumpet
Isa 42:13
13 The LORD will march out like a mighty man,
like a warrior he will stir up his zeal;

with a shout he will raise the battle cry
and will triumph over his enemies.
Sound the trumpet
The battle cry has sounded the war has begun
The Lord our God is now marching out
He is marching out in you and in me
It is time for us to declare
War
THE REALAZATION HAS COME
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THE LORD OUR GOD HAS WON
SATAN YOU HAVE LOST YOUR HOLD ON ME

THE BLOOD OF JESUS HAS SET ME FREE
THE SPIRIT OF GOD RESIDES WITHIN
I AM UNDEFETABLE WITHTHE POWER FROM HIM
THANK YOU LORD FOR THE VICTORY
PRAISE BE TO THE KING OF GLORY
I have spokento you the truth tonight
Sometimes the enemy yells and screams andmakes himself out to be bigger
and badder than he actually is
Often as we heard Friday night he defeats us with just words
Mere words
As long as he can keepyou in conflictwith yourself he has won
Tonight I declare waragainstSatan and all his demonic followers

<<<<<< >>>>>>>>
Jesus tells us in Luke 10 that He has given us authority to overcome all the
powerof the enemy and that nothing will harm us
2 Chron 20:15
Says Do not be afraid or discouragedbecause ofthis vast army for the battle
is not yours, but God’s
Do not allow the enemy to lie to you as you prepare for this war
<<<<<< >>>>>>>
Satanyou’re a liar you are the father of lies I will not listen to you
See we have been given divine weapons, offensive and defensive weapons to
demolish the enemy and every argument and every thing that would set itself
up againstthe knowledge ofGod
Eph 6:10-19
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the powerof His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand againstthe
wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle againstflesh and blood, but against

principalities, against powers, againstthe rulers of the darkness ofthis age,
againstspiritual hosts of wickednessin the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take
up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist
with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod
your feet with the preparation of the gospelof peace;16 above all, taking the
shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wickedone. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the swordof the Spirit,
which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication
in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance andsupplication
for all the saints--
Paul knew we were in war and instructed us to prepare for this war with the
armor God has given
The belt of truth
We must as Christians be belted with truth. God desires truth and sincerity
form within our inmost parts. The enemy cannot stand the truth when Satan
begins to attack fight back with truth
Breastplate ofrighteousness
We are the righteousness ofGod through Christ. You see whenwe are saved
Christ is implanted in our heart and He becomes the breastplate that fortifies
our heart againstthe attacks whichSatan makes.
Gospelof Peace (readinessaboutour feetthat comes form the gospelof peace)

That is the messageofChrist that is our witness it should be about our feet.
Wherever we walk our life should portray Christ.
Shield of Faith
Faith becomes the barrier againstthe enemy. With out faith we are vulnerable
and defeated. Faith not only makes us strong but it produces action, action
that puts us on the offensive instead of the defensive. <<<<<<<< >>>>>>> The
shield will prepare us for Victory.
Helmet of salvation
The helmet secures the head. It holds the knowledge ofour salvationand we
must protect ourselves againstdoubt because doubt will destroy us
Sword of the spirit
The word of God is our swordwe must be know gable about our weaponif we
expectto win. <<<<<< >>>>>>. We must place it within our hearts and use it
effectively.
Prayer

Often left out of the armor of God. But an essentialpiece ofequipment for
spiritual war. Paul tells us to pray with all prayer with all supplication in the
Spirit. We must pray from within the very Spirit of God that dwells in us
making continual supplication (pleas) unto the Lord
As Brother Al taught us on Friday
We are not only given the armor of God as our weapons but also every
weaponthe enemy has is ours to use againsthim
Luke 11:21-22
21 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions
are safe. (The Devil)
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22 But when someone strongerattacks andoverpowers him, (Jesus which he
did on the cross over2,000 years ago)he takes awaythe armor (weapons)in

which the man trusted and divides up the spoils. ( which means they have
been given to us)
Pride
Lust
Bitterness
Stop being so passive, this is war
Fight fire with fire
Stop yielding to mere words
Stop cowering overthe attack
Move from the defensive to the offensive
And attack the enemy
Stand up

If you will join the ranks of the Lord’s army
If you declare waragainstSatan
If tonight you desire to grasp your victory
Then when the music starts come forward and make a commitment to not
back down form the enemy to stand your ground and use the weapons God
has equipped you with.
Sound the trumpet
The battle cry has sounded the war has begun
PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES
BRIAN BELL
The Song!(13-17)
Praise Him for what? 2 things:
[1] Defeating His enemies(13-15)
The silent God will finally break the silence to become a shouting conqueror.

The Masteris a Servant & the Servant is a Master!
In (Rev.5:5,6)we have a Lamb that is a Lion; in (7:17) we have a Lamb that is
a Shepherd; & in between(6:16) we have the Wrath of the Lamb.
[2] Delivering His people(16,17).
A Seeing Eye God!
The Father’s holding the Son’s hand, & He’s holding ours!
At times when: the Lord is silent; the world around you is evil; bad men
prosper; societylies under the spell of vice; you need to remember…it is only
temporary!
Then, God comes forth out of the silence, & shows Himself strong on behalf of
those whose heart is perfect towardHim.
He brings the blind, “by a way they did not know”.
He makes “crookedpaths straight.”
RICH CATHERS
Isaiah42
Sunday Morning Bible Study
January 9, 2000
Introduction

There is a man who has invented a new art form. He makes a mosaic out of
thousands of little pictures. When you stand back, all you see is the overall
picture. Yet when you look up close, you realize that there are actually
thousands of individual pictures.
In a way, this is similar to what happens in weaving as well. When you look at
a cloth, you only see the overall color. Yet when you look up close, youwill see
many different coloredstrands that make up the cloth.
Sometimes the words of a prophet are of a similar nature. The prophet will
sometimes write or speak from what would seemto be the broad picture. Yet
when you getup close, youfind that there are actualseveralimages that
overlap, or severaldifferent strands of colorthat are woven throughout a
work.
:1-4 The Servant
:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect,
Who is "my servant"?
I think there is a sense in which there are three prophetic strands woven
togetherthrough this passage.
Cyrus - Back in Isaiah41, we saw the thread of Cyrus, who would be used by
God as a servant (Is. 44:28; 45:1).

Israel– When we get to verses 18-25, the strand will change to the nation of
Israel, also clearlycalled God’s "servant" (Is. 44:21)
Jesus - This is the thread that is we see woveninto this section. Why not just
take this as either Cyrus or Israel? BecauseMatthew tells us this is Jesus.
(Mat 12:14-21 KJV) Then the Pharisees wentout, and held a councilagainst
him, how they might destroyhim. {15} But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew
himself from thence: and great multitudes followedhim, and he healed them
all; {16} And chargedthem that they should not make him known: {17} That
it might be fulfilled which was spokenby Esaias the prophet, saying, {18}
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen…
Lesson
Jesus was a servant.
(Phil 2:1-11 KJV) If there be therefore any consolationin Christ, if any
comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, {2}
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one
accord, ofone mind. {3} Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but
in lowliness of mind let eachesteemother better than themselves. {4} Look not
every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. {5}
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:{6} Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: {7} But made
himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was
made in the likeness ofmen: {8} And being found in fashion as a man, he
humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross. {9} Wherefore Godalso hath highly exalted him, and given him a name

which is above every name: {10} That at the name of Jesus everyknee should
bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; {11}
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.
Jesus is to be our example. And He was a servant.
I think it’s very easyto gettrapped into thinking of ourselves. When we think
of ourselves, we are constantly worried about whether we are happy or
whether we think our "needs" are being met. When we are thinking of others,
we become concernedabout their needs.
:2-3 He shall not cry … A bruised reed shall he not break
Matthew said that Jesus fulfilled these verses (Mat. 12:9-21)when He beganto
have problems with the Pharisees.Theywanted to destroy Him because He
was breaking their Sabbath traditions. I think Jesus fulfilled these verses in at
leasttwo ways.
(Mat 12:15-17 KJV) But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from
thence: and greatmultitudes followed him, and he healed them all; {16} And
chargedthem that they should not make him known: {17} That it might be
fulfilled which was spokenby Esaias the prophet …
Lesson#1
No publicity.

Jesus didn’t need a publicity agent. He didn’t promote Himself. Sometimes
after doing a miracle, He would tell the person not to tell anyone about Him.
But when people began to hear about Jesus, it was all He could do to keepthe
crowds away.
bruised – ratsats – to be crushed, oppressed
reed – qaneh – reed, stalk, something that is fragile or easilyshaken(Mt.
11:7).
break – shabar – to break, break in pieces;rend violently, wreck, crush,
quench
smoking flax … – a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish (NAS)
Lesson#2
Jesus cares forthe hurting.
Sometimes we tend to feel a little uncomfortable around some kinds of people.
We may try to avoid them, but Jesus won’t.
(Luke 7:36-50 KJV) And one of the Pharisees desiredhim that he would eat
with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, andsat down to meat. {37}

And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that
Jesus satat meat in the Pharisee's house, broughtan alabasterbox of
ointment, {38} And stoodat his feet behind him weeping, and beganto wash
his feetwith tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed
his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. {39} Now when the Pharisee
which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he
were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of womanthis is
that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. {40} And Jesus answering saidunto
him, Simon, I have somewhatto say unto thee. And he saith, Master, sayon.
{41} There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owedfive
hundred pence, and the other fifty. {42} And when they had nothing to pay, he
frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him
most? {43} Simon answeredand said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave
most. And he said unto him, Thou hastrightly judged. {44} And he turned to
the woman, and said unto Simon, Seestthou this woman? I entered into thine
house, thou gavestme no water for my feet: but she hath washedmy feet with
tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. {45} Thou gavestme no kiss:
but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceasedto kiss my feet. {46}
My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet
with ointment. {47} Wherefore I sayunto thee, Her sins, which are many, are
forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth
little. {48} And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. {49} And they that sat
at meat with him beganto saywithin themselves, Who is this that forgiveth
sins also? {50}And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath savedthee; go in
peace.
Simon didn’t feel comfortable having this woman in his living room. Jesus had
no problem. She was receivedby Jesus because she was crying to Him for
help. She wept over her sins. It’s almost like Jesus was her last hope. And He
doesn’t turn her away.

It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done. If you’re willing to come
to Jesus for help, then there’s a little bit of fire smoldering in your heart. Jesus
won’t try to put out the fire, He’ll fan the flames.
Note:Parents – be careful that your discipline doesn’t end up putting out the
fire in your kids. Husbands and wives – be sensitive to the other when they’re
hurting.
:5-9 Messageto the Messiah
:6 for a light of the Gentiles;
This would be something that the Jews wouldhave a hard time with. They
consideredthe Gentile nations as nothing more than fuel for the fires of hell.
But God said the Messiahwould be a light even for us Gentiles.
:7 To open the blind eyes
Though Jesus would fulfill this in a literal sense by healing blind people (John
9:6-7), this is meant primarily in a spiritual sense, those who are blind
spiritually (John 9:39).
:7 to bring out the prisoners from the prison
Jesus came to setus free from the prison of sin and death.

The Bible says that without Jesus, we are dead –
(Eph 2:1-5 NLT) Once you were dead, doomed forever because ofyour many
sins. {2} You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying
Satan, the mighty prince of the powerof the air. He is the spirit at work in the
hearts of those who refuse to obey God. {3} All of us used to live that way,
following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an
evil nature, and we were under God's angerjust like everyone else. {4} But
God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, {5} that even while we
were dead because ofour sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the
dead. (It is only by God's specialfavor that you have been saved!)
Jesus cansetyou free. He died on a cross to take your place in prison.
:8 I am the LORD … and my glory will I not give to another
LORD – YHWH ("Yahweh") – "the existing One"
glory – kabowd– honour, abundance; splendour, glory
It’s easyto fall in love with the spotlight. When God uses you, you will find
that people will put a kind of "spotlight" on you. It’s not only a wonderful
feeling to be used by God, but it’s kind of neatto have people thanking you for
it all. But the spotlight belongs on Jesus.
:9 Behold, the former things are come to pass

As we mentioned lastweek, our God is like no other in His ability to tell us of
things to come, and they happen. He’s saying here that things He’s spokenof
coming to pass have already happened, and now He’s going to revealnew
things that also will surely happen.
:10-12
:10 Sing unto the LORD a new song
When God does a "new thing" (vs. 9), it is time to sing a "new song".
Lesson
A new thing requires a new song
Old songs are great. They canbring much comfort and canmake the praise of
our God very easyto do. As a worship leader, I know that there can be great
value in leading songs that people know. If you lead too many songs that the
people don’t know, it’s now worship, it’s just a performance by those up
front.
Old songs are also dangerous. If you want, you don’t even have to think about
the words. You canbe thinking about problems at work, things you want to
buy at the store, when you’re going to callyour friend, all while effortlessly
singing an "old song". There’s a danger of the old becoming worthless in that
we don’t allow them to express our heart through them.

Life is a lot like a song, isn’t it? We candevelop certain ways of living, certain
habits, certain ways of thinking about things that can be like an old song. Our
old habits may make us comfortable, but sometimes they’re nothing more
than just old ruts.
When was the lasttime you sang a "new song" to the Lord? And I don’t mean
in church. When was the last time you let God change some of your life?
When was the lasttime you allowedGod to establisha new, healthy habit for
your life?
Is it time to "change your tune"?
:11 the villages that Kedar … let the inhabitants of the rock sing
Kedar – the name of one of Ishmael’s sons;his descendants settledwhatis
now modern Saudi Arabia, about 250 miles southeastfrom Jerusalem. One of
the Jewishtranslations (the Targum) reads, "the Arabians that inhabit the
wilderness shall praise".
the rock – cela’– crag, cliff, rock;also the name of Petra, one of the main
cities of the Edomites, and also one of the places where the Jews may be
fleeing to during the Tribulation period (Is. 16)
I personally wonderif somewhere aroundthis spot in the prophecy Isaiahis
jumping into his distant future, the time at the end of the Tribulation period.
Could it be that these songs ofpraise could be coming from the Jews in the
wilderness who are being rescuedat Jesus’return?

:13-17 The Lord to the rescue
:14 I have long time holden my peace
(Isa 42:14 NIV) "Fora long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held
myself back.
Lesson
God is still waiting.
There will be a time when God will no longerbe patient, but for now, He still
has some patience left.
(2 Pet 3:9 NLT) The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise to return,
as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want
anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.
Some people will ask you the question, "If God is so loving and so powerful,
then why does He allow evil to exist in the world?" Well the truth is, there will
be time when God will no longerput up with it. For now He is being patient
and "holding His tongue" because He wants to give people a chance to repent.
:14 now will I cry like a travailing woman

cry – pa’ah – to groan, cry out, scream
travailing woman – yalad – a womangiving birth.
One of the commentaries (JFB)saidthis: "Like a woman in parturition (I had
to look up this word, it means "the actionor process ofgiving birth to
offspring"), who, after having restrainedher breathing for a time, at last,
overcome with labor pain, lets out her voice with a panting sigh."
I think that comes from a guy who has never been around when his wife
delivered.
Another commentator (John Gill) writes, "when sharp pains are upon her,
and just going to be delivered; and that so loud as to be heard all over the
house" – I think he must have been around when his kids were born!
I think Bill Cosbyhad a best way of describing this very thing – this is the
time when your wife is in such great pain and she wants to try to convey to
you just how much pain she’s in. So she grabs you by the lowerlip, pulls it up
and wraps it around your head and yells at you, "You did this to me!"
The point is, God will one day "let loose"and destroy His enemies.
:16 And I will bring the blind by a waythat they knew not

Here is goodpart! Instead of judgment and destruction, we turn to salvation.
The "blind" are those who have a hard time seeing the Lord.
I believe there is a specialgroup of people in mind here. The Jews for now
have a type of blindness on them –
(Rom 11:25-26 NKJV) For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be
ignorant of this mystery, lestyou should be wise in your own opinion, that
blindness in part has happened to Israeluntil the fullness of the Gentiles has
come in. {26} And so all Israelwill be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer
will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
For now, we are in a time when God is dealing with the Gentiles. When that
time comes to an end, God will once againbe turning His attention to the
nation of Israel.
:18-25 Warning to the blind
:19 Who is blind, but my servant? … as he that is perfect
Is this the same "servant" as in verse 1? I don’t think so. Isaiahgoes onto
explain that this blindness is because this "servant" isn’t paying attention to
what he sees. In fact, this "servant" is being disciplined because ofhis
disobedience.

So who is this servant? Israel (Is. 44:21)
perfect – the Jews were perfectin that they "had it all". Godhad chosen
them, God had spokento them, God had given them His law. They had the
proper rituals, the priests, the worship, they had it all, but were still blind to
the things of God.
Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his ownreceived him not.
:20 Seeing many things, but thou observestnot
They see things happening but aren’t paying attention to them. They hear the
goodthings, but don’t pay attention.
Think of all that the nation of Israel has seen!The plagues in Egypt, being
takenthrough the Red Sea, the miracles in the wilderness, God’s incredible
hand in conquering the PromisedLand, the victory of Gideon, the powerof
Samson, the miracles of Elijah and Elisha. The list goes onand on.
But were the people still worshipping their little idols rather than God? Yes.
:22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled
These are a people who are caught in all kinds of traps. Nobody helps them.

:24 Who gave Jacobfora spoil, and Israelto the robbers? did not the LORD,
he againstwhom we have sinned?
Why are they caughtin these traps in the first place? It’s because theyhave
refused to do the things that God has askedthem to do. And so God let them
get caughtin their traps.
Lesson
Be careful about excuses.
We have a tendency to not want to face the truth. For some of us, the best
thing we could ever do would be to realize that we’re responsible for the mess
we’re in.
But insteadwe like to blame it on the boss who didn’t like me, or the parent
who didn’t treat me right, or the friend who hurt me.
Could it be possible that it was your fault?
:25 …it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.
Wiersbe:"How sadit is when God disciplines us and we do not understand
what He is doing or take it to heart (v. 25)."

Lesson
Are you going blind?
In a way, you "have it all" too. You have the Bible. You have the written
record of all that the Israelites had seen.
For you Christians, are you getting bored with God’s Word? Ask God to
renew your sight.
For some of you, you have now heard the messageofhow God can save you.
Will you let Him? Will you let Him help you? Or will you turn a deaf ear?
DR. DAVID COOPER
Biblical ResearchMonthly-April 1945
MESSIANIC TIMES ACCORDING TO ISAIAH 42:1-43:13
The Prophet's impersonation of God the Fatherin calling Israel's attention to
the Son(42:1-4).

The Prophet as the Father's representative delivers specialmessageto the Son
when He is in the shadow of the cross (vss. 5-8).
Announcement of fulfillment of the "former things"--first coming and man's
redemption--and the coming of "new things"--world revival (vss. 9-13).
The secondcoming of Christ (vss. 14-17).
Call to Israelas a nation to repent (vss. 18-22).
Call to individual Hebrews to repent (vss. 23-24).
Promise to the faithful remnant (Isa. 43:1-13).
I. THE PROPHET'S IMPERSONATIONOF GOD THE FATHER
IN CALLING ISRAEL'S ATTENTION TO THE SON (Isa. 42:1-4)
IN ISAIAH 42:1--43:13 we have one of the grand panoramic views of
Messianic Times whichbegin with the first coming and ministry of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Hebrew Messiah, andwhich run throughout the
greatMillennial Age, when the glory of God shall encircle the earth as the
waters coverthe sea. By a careful study of this block of scripture we see that
this period of time naturally falls into four sections which are the personal

ministry of our Lord, the Christian Dispensation, the Tribulation Period, and
the greatMillennial Era. This period of time is properly calledmessianic,
because it gives the outline of Messiah'sredemptive career.
Verses 1 to 4 of this prophecy constitute an impersonation by Isaiah of the
Almighty. Thus as he played the role of God the Father in this vision, he was
transported by the Spirit to the first century of the Christian Era. In this view
of the future he saw King Messiah after His baptism and cried out to the
people, "Behold, my servant... I have put my Spirit upon him." This was a
graphic way which the prophet adopted in forecasting forIsrael the beginning
of Messiah's public ministry--the descentof the Holy Spirit at His baptism
upon Him in the presence ofthe public. When this passage, especiallyverse 1,
is read in the light of Matthew 3:13-17, it becomes evident that that event was
the fulfillment of the prediction.
Messiahstarts out with an objective in view, establishing justice in the earth.
The old version says "judgment." While the Hebrew term does have that
significance, its primary meaning is that of justice. The facts of this context
demand this latter meaning. Thus the prophet declared that Messiah, when
He begins His personalministry, will have as His objective the establishment
of justice and righteousnessin the world.
In verse 2 we see that Messiahwill not be a streetpreacher. He will avoid all
possibilities of clashing publicly with His opponents. When one reads Matthew
12:18-21, one sees thatthis prediction was applied by Matthew to the personal
ministry of our Lord.
As Isaiah saw in the vision and as we learn from the Jewishhistorian
Josephus, there were many political agitators in Palestine in the times of our
Lord. Jesus refusedto engage in a public open-air ministry lestHe should be

identified as one of these revolutionists and should inevitably clashwith the
authorities. No one is to understand by this prediction that in our Lord's
refraining from open-air work He opposedstreet preaching. He has in a
marvelous wayduring the centuries blessedsuch a public testimony to the
salvationof myriads of souls.
According to verse 4 Messiahwill not fail nor be discourageduntil He reaches
His objective. We are not to infer that He will become discouragedafterHe is
successful. No one would do that. This prediction simply means that He will
press on in His work until He reaches His objective, and then, of course, He
will continue to do the great work which He alone can accomplish. The fact
that He will not fail nor be discouragedimplies that the work which He
launches will seemoutwardly, to those who do not have spiritual insight and
who do not know the plans of God, to be a complete failure; but we are
assuredthat men are not to look at circumstances and judge from
appearances.
Without question, this verse refers to the personalministry of our Lord which
at times seemedto be a failure. It also refers to the movement which He
inaugurated, namely, historic Christianity. This prediction implies that to the
men of the world the church will appear to be a failure. But God is emphatic
and says that it shall not fail.
The successofan enterprise is to be judged by the objective in view. Before
one canpass sentence upon Christianity, one must know first the methods to
be adopted and the objective to be reached. Many have thought that
Christianity is to convertthe world. This is a sad mistake. The preaching of
the cross is a testimony to the world. It is the throwing out of the lifeline to
drowning, dying men. Those who wish may take hold of it and be pulled
ashore. Godnever forces nor coerces anyone but permits everyone to exercise
his ownvolition and choice. On this point James atthe Jerusalem conference

statedthe case this way: "Symeonhath rehearsedhow first God visited the
Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name." Then Peterspoke of the
gospelministry of the present age. James saidthat this program of preaching
the gospelis to take out of the nations a people for God's name. Let no one
think that Christianity is a failure. It is not. It is a grand successandwill
continue to accomplishthat for which it was intended. The prophet, therefore,
was simply warning us againstdrawing an incorrectconclusionfrom outward
appearances during the personal ministry of Christ and during the preaching
of the gospelin the present age.
This movement (historicalChristianity) launched by Christ and continued by
his followers during the present dispensation, being not a failure but a success,
will ultimately blossomforth into a grand consummation--at the second
coming of Christ when He will establishjustice and righteousness in the earth.
The prophet hastens to inform us that Messiah, whenHe makes His
appearance afterthe Spirit has come upon Him, will not give His law to the
isles. On the contrary, they will have to wait for it. In this connectionwe shall
have to make a clear distinction betweenlaw and gospel. Law is a system of
statutes for the regulation of the life and conduct of a people, which threatens
punishment for every infraction of its legalrequirements. On the contrary,
grace is a manifestation of God's goodnessin offering His blessings, the
greatestofwhich is salvation, to men upon the condition of faith. The gospel
was first preachedby our Lord and by His apostles afterHim. We are plainly
told that the isles, that is, the nations, will not receive the Law of Messiahat
the time of His first coming, but that they will have to wait for it. The period
of their waiting for it is that which is known as the Christian Dispensation
during which the gospelmessageis being proclaimed to all nations.
The present Christian Age, as we learn from many passagesofScripture, will
be brought to a conclusionby the rapture of the church. By this term we mean

that event which is spokenof by the Apostle Paul and which occurs when the
Lord Jesus Christ descends from heaven to the air. At that time, He will raise
the dead in Christ and catchup the living saints to be with Him for ever and
ever. According to I Thessalonians, chapters 4 and 5, this event occurs before
the period that is known as the greatTribulation. Believers, having been
translated out of the kingdom of darkness, have been brought into the
kingdom of the Son of God's love. They are therefore not appointed unto
wrath--in the Tribulation--but unto the obtaining of salvation, deliverance
from the period of wrath. We, therefore, place the rapture of the church
before the Tribulation.
II. THE PROPHET AS THE FATHER'S REPRESENTATIVE DELIVERS
SPECIAL MESSAGE TO THE SON WHEN
HE IS IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS (vss. 5-8)
In Isaiah 42:5-8 we have a specialmessage whichJehovahthe Father sends to
Jehovahthe Sonwhen He is in the darkesthour of His earthly career. In these
verses the prophet is no longer impersonating God but is presenting himself
before his audience as an ambassadorofJehovahthe Father to Jehovahthe
Son with words of encouragement.
God the Father, the prophet says, is the creatorofall things and is the one
who puts the spirit of man within him (vs. 5). The Father in one sense is the
creatorof the universe, but in another sense--as the immediate agent--Godthe
Son is the creator. (For proof of this position see John 1:1-4; Hebrews 1:1-4.)
That this messageis given to Messiahin His darkesthour is seenin the
assuring words found in verse 6: "I, Jehovah, have called thee in
righteousness, andwill hold thy hand, and will keepthee" ... Evidently there is
a need for this message ofencouragement, otherwise it would not be given.

Messiah's ministry consists ofHis becoming a bond uniting the people of
Israelto Jehovahand His becoming a light to the Gentiles. He becomes,
according to this program, the bond uniting Israelto God first; then He
becomes God's light to the Gentiles. It is true that He has been a light to the
Gentiles through the entire Christian Dispensation;nevertheless He has never
been the light to them that He will be after Israel has been united to God. In
other words, this prophecy yet awaits its complete fulfillment. When Messiah
thus becomes the light of the Gentiles, He will open the blind eyes and bring
out the prisoners from the dungeon and them that sit in darkness out of
prison-houses (vs. 7). This prophecy will be fulfilled in Messiah's bringing life,
liberty, joy, and happiness to all peoples. This promise will be fulfilled
completely only in the Millennial Age, when wars will cease, whenSatanwill
be bound. At that time there will be no prison-houses nor institutions for
correction. The curse will be lifted and the regime of righteousness willbe the
order of the day.
God is steering history towardthis ultimate goal. He has never been honored
in this world as He should. Glory that is due His name has been given to idols.
The Lord has toleratedthis situation from the fall of man to the present day.
But He will not permit this present situation to continue always. He will
ultimately reachthe goalwhen that morning without clouds--the Millennial
Era--will dawn upon the world. Then will all glory and praise be given to God
alone. Hence in this specialportion of Scripture God the Fatherspeaks to God
the Sonin His darkesthour, reassuring Him of His protection and deliverance
and of the wonderful results that will flow from His sufferings. Hope, joy,
expectation, and confidence are the things that buoy individuals up during
times of discouragement, despondency, and trial.
The assurancesthatare setforth in this paragraphfound their completest
fulfillment at the time the Saviour was in Gethsemane whenthe Father sent
angels to strengthenHim and doubtless to deliver a message to Him.

III. ANNOUNCEMENTOF FULFILLMENT OF THE "FORMER
THINGS"
AND THE COMING OF "NEW THINGS" (vss. 9-13)
In the next section, verses 9-13,we have a prediction of a world-wide revival.
According to verse 9 the messageto God the Son at the time of His deepest
sorrow assures Him that the "former things"--things spokenconcerning His
first coming and His working out redemption for the human family--have,
relatively speaking, beenfulfilled. Then he makes a revelationconcerning
"new things"--before they spring forth. The new things mentioned in this
verse are none other than the mighty revival describedin verses 10-13.The
prophet, who was at Jerusalemwhenhe uttered this prediction, looked
toward the westand saw messengers ofsalvationleaving Palestine, embarking
at the ports of the country, and going across the seas to the nations of the
westernworld. Then, in verse 11, turning toward the eastand southwest, he
saw messengers atthe same time leaving the country and going to countries
eastof there with a messageofhope and of salvation. Following these
revelations, in verse 12, he called upon them to give glory to God and to
declare His praise in the isles. Forthese missionaries to the nations the
prophet threw out a challenge to give God the glory and to declare His praises
to the inhabitants of the earth. Because,therefore, ofthis marvelous message
that will go out from Palestine to the whole world, the prophet, in verse 10,
urged all to "Sing unto Jehovaha new song, and his praise from the end of the
earth"--a new song because they are to have a new opportunity, such as they
have never had before in their lives. The facts are that the world, even in the
time of the greatTribulation, when this prophecy will be fulfilled, will for the
first time have an opportunity of hearing the Word of God preachedin the
powerof the Holy Spirit.

The centraltheme of the messageofthese evangelists is that "Jehovahwill go
forth as a mighty man; he will stir up his zeal like a man of war: he will cry,
yea, he will shout aloud; he will do mightily againsthis enemies." These words
doubtless refer to the time when the Lord Jesus Christ at the end of the
Tribulation will come in mighty powerto take vengeanceonall who know not
God and who obey not the gospelofour Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (II
Thess., chap. 1).
When we read verses 9-13 in the light of related passages, suchas Revelation,
chapter 7, we see that Isaiah in vision saw the 144,000Hebrew evangelists who
will go forth in the first part of the Tribulation, proclaiming salvation to every
nation, tribe, and language. While Isaiahdoes not give the results of this great
gospelministry, John, in Revelation, Chapter 7, does; for he tells us that an
innumerable host from every nation, tribe, tongue, and language willcome up
out of the great Tribulation, will washtheir robes, and make them white in
the blood of the Lamb. To washone's robes and make them white in the blood
of the Lamb is to enter into an experimental knowledge ofsalvation through
Jesus Christ our Lord. These people who thus are savedcome to the Lord
under the ministry of these Hebrew Tribulation evangelists. The revival
therefore in which we are all interested and for which we are praying and
laboring, will come in the first part of the greatTribulation. Is there any hope
of a mighty world-wide turning on the part of sinners to God prior to the
Tribulation? I have scannedthe Word of God from cover to coverand have
never seensuch a promise. Nevertheless, it is our privilege to declare with all
the powerGod grants us the gospelto men now.
IV. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST (vss. 14-17)
In the next paragraph (vss. 14-17)the prophet againdrops into his method of
impersonation. On this occasionhe plays the role of King Messiahwho, at the

psychologicalmoment, when these evangelists have performed their world-
wide task of proclaiming the gospel, will declare, "Ihave long holden my
peace;I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry out like a
travailing woman; I will gaspand pant together..." Thus at the end of the
Tribulation Messiahwill come forth as a mighty warrior and He will bring
judgment and destruction upon all the wickedand ungodly.
V. CALL TO ISRAEL AS A NATION TO REPENT (vss. 18-22)
Once againthe prophet changes his method of delivering his messageand
speaks as anambassadorto the nation of Israel. This is seenin verses 18-22.
Though she is God's servant, she is nevertheless blind and does not
understand the situation. At the time here foreseenthe entire nation will be
hounded by anti-Semites. Many of them will be in prison, others in the holes
of the earth, and still others will fall a prey to the vicious spirit of anti-
Semitism. To Israel thus, figuratively speaking, flat on her back, God will
speak. He will speak, not only through His Word, but also through
circumstances whichHe permits to come into the lives of individuals and
nations.
VI. CALL TO INDIVIDUAL HEBREWS TO REPENT (vss. 23-25)
In the concluding paragraphof chapter 42 (vss. 23-25), the prophet called
upon the honest-heartedpeople in Israel to considerthe condition of the
nation and to ask themselves who has brought this condition about. Isaiah
answers his ownquestion by saying that it is God againstwhom the nation has

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