Isaiah 42 Footnotes

42:1-7 The chosen “servant” was identified as Israel in 41:8; therefore, many commentators would identify Israel as the servant in this passage also. There are similarities between God’s servants as Isaiah described them, and the prophet may have been purposely leaving his hearers with some ambiguity (he was called to preach in such a way that they might not understand, 6:10). But in contrast to Israel, God’s blind servant (42:19), this Servant will establish justice in the earth, a theme associated with the role of the Messiah (9:7; 11:3-5; 32:1). In addition, the role of this Servant does not fit what Israel did. In Mt 12:18-21 Jesus applied these words to himself.