Isaiah 50:4-11

4 The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of 1disciples, That I may know how to 2sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me 3morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.
5 The Lord GOD has 4opened My ear; And I was 5not disobedient Nor did I turn back.
6 I 6gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.
7 For the Lord GOD 7helps Me, Therefore *, I am 8not disgraced; Therefore *, I have set My face like 9flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.
8 He who 10vindicates Me is near; Who will contend with Me? Let us 11stand up to each other; Who has a case * against Me? Let him draw near to Me.
9 Behold, 12the Lord GOD helps Me; 13Who is he who condemns Me? Behold, 14they will all wear out like a garment; The moth will eat them.
10 Who is among you that fears the LORD, That obeys the voice of His 15servant, That 16walks in darkness and has no light? Let him 17trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.
11 Behold, all you who 18kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with firebrands, Walk in the light of your fire And among the brands you have set ablaze. This you will have from My hand: You will 19lie down in torment.

Isaiah 50:4-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 50

This chapter is a prophecy of the rejection of the Jews, for their neglect and contempt of the Messiah; and of his discharge of his office as Mediator, and fitness for it. The rejection of the Jews is signified by the divorce of a woman from her husband, and by persons selling their children to their creditors; which is not to be charged upon the Lord, but was owing to their own iniquities, Isa 50:1, particularly their disregard of the Messiah, and inattention to him, as if he was an insufficient Saviour; whereas his power to redeem is evident, from his drying up the sea and rivers below, and clothing the heavens above with black clouds, and eclipsing the luminaries thereof, Isa 50:2,3, his fitness for his prophetic office is expressed in Isa 50:4. His obedience to his Father, and his patience in sufferings, while performing his priestly office, Isa 50:5,6, and his faith and confidence in the Lord, as man and Mediator, that he should be helped, carried through his work, and acquitted; and not be confounded, overcome, and condemned, Isa 50:7-9, and the chapter is closed with an exhortation to the saints to trust in the Lord in the darkest times; and a threatening to such who trust in themselves, and in their own doings, Isa 50:10,11.

Cross References 19

  • 1. Isaiah 8:16; Isaiah 54:13
  • 2. Isaiah 57:19; Jeremiah 31:25
  • 3. Psalms 5:3; Psalms 88:13; Psalms 119:147; Psalms 143:8
  • 4. Psalms 40:6; Isaiah 35:5
  • 5. Matthew 26:39; John 8:29; John 14:31; John 15:10; Acts 26:19; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:8; Hebrews 10:7
  • 6. Matthew 26:67; Matthew 27:30; Mark 14:65; Mark 15:19; Luke 22:63
  • 7. Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 49:8
  • 8. Isaiah 45:17; Isaiah 54:4
  • 9. Ezekiel 3:8, 9
  • 10. Isaiah 45:25; Romans 8:33, 34
  • 11. Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 41:1; Isaiah 43:26
  • 12. Isaiah 41:10
  • 13. Isaiah 54:17
  • 14. Job 13:28; Isaiah 51:8
  • 15. Isaiah 49:2, 3; Isaiah 50:4
  • 16. Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 26:9; Ephesians 5:8
  • 17. Isaiah 12:2; Isaiah 26:4
  • 18. Proverbs 26:18; Isaiah 9:18; James 3:6
  • 19. Isaiah 8:22; Isaiah 65:13-15; Amos 4:9, 10

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Heb "YHWH," usually rendered LORD, and so throughout the ch
  • [b]. Lit "gird"
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