Isaiah 42

Song of Praise to the Lord (42:10–17)

10–13 The description of the Lord’s servant (verses 1–9) evokes a song of praise from Isaiah. Isaiah calls it a new song (verse 10), because it tells of new blessings yet to come. In verse 13, Isaiah envisions the Lord leading His people in triumph; He will lead them out of bondage in Babylon and then, in the day of the Lord’s servant, He will lead them out of bondage to sin.

14–17 Here the Lord speaks again: He has kept silent during Israel’s exile, but now He will act (verse 14). Now is the time for Israel to be “delivered” from bondage, just as a baby is delivered during childbirth. The Lord will level the mountains and dry up the rivers so that His people may journey more easily (verse 15). The Lord will graciously lead His people, many of them still “blinded” by their former idolatry; He will light their way; He will not forsake them (verse 16).

Israel Blind and Deaf (42:18–25)

18–20 Here God speaks of the Israelites’ deafness and blindness, their idolatry and disobedience, which was the cause of their being sent into exile. They were supposed to be committed to God; they were supposed to be His servant¹⁶⁶ (verse 19). They had seen many things—had been given many privileges (teaching, promises, prophets)—yet they had paid no attention (verse 20).

21–22 Next Isaiah speaks: because Israel had disregarded God’s law, God determined to make his law great and glorious by punishing His people for their disobedience¹⁶⁷ (verse 21). He would allow His people to be plundered and looted by the Babylonians (verse 22).

23–25 Here Isaiah warns Judah’s people of the punishment (exile) soon to come; he speaks in the past tense, as if the punishment had already happened. The people had to be punished because they would not follow God’s ways (verse 24); their sin was willful, deliberate. God had no choice but to pour out on them His burning anger; even then, most of the people did not take it to heart¹⁶⁸ (verse 25).

As we look back on this chapter, we see two “servants”: first, imperfect Israel (verse 19); and second, the perfect Messiah (verses 1–4). We too are called to be servants—active servants, not just passive followers. We too are called to be a light in the world, a light for the Gentiles (Matthew 5:14–16; Acts 13:47). What kind of servant will we choose to be: a failed servant whose light has gone out, or an obedient servant whose light will shine forever?