Isaiah 50:1-9

Israel’s Sin and the Servant’s Obedience

1 This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.
2 When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to deliver you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.
3 I clothe the heavens with darkness and make sackcloth its covering.”
4 The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
5 The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away.
6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.
7 Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.
8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!
9 It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.

Isaiah 50:1-9 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 35

  • 1. S Deuteronomy 24:1; Jeremiah 3:8; Hosea 2:2; Matthew 19:7; Mark 10:4
  • 2. S Nehemiah 5:5; S Matthew 18:25
  • 3. S Isaiah 1:28
  • 4. S Deuteronomy 32:30; S Judges 3:8; Isaiah 52:3
  • 5. S 1 Samuel 8:19; S Isaiah 41:28
  • 6. Numbers 11:23; Isaiah 59:1
  • 7. S Genesis 18:14; S Psalms 68:35; Jeremiah 14:9
  • 8. S Psalms 18:15
  • 9. S Exodus 14:22; Joshua 3:16
  • 10. S Psalms 107:33
  • 11. S Exodus 10:22; S Isaiah 5:30
  • 12. Revelation 6:12
  • 13. ver 5; Isaiah 61:1
  • 14. S Exodus 4:12
  • 15. S Isaiah 40:29; Matthew 11:28
  • 16. Psalms 5:3; Psalms 88:13; Psalms 119:147; Psalms 143:8
  • 17. S Isaiah 28:9
  • 18. S Isaiah 48:16
  • 19. Isaiah 35:5
  • 20. Ezekiel 2:8; Ezekiel 24:3; S Matthew 26:39; John 8:29; John 14:31; John 15:10; Acts 26:19; Hebrews 5:8
  • 21. Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 27:30; Mark 14:65; Mark 15:19; Luke 22:63; John 19:1
  • 22. S 2 Samuel 10:4
  • 23. S Numbers 12:14; Lamentations 3:30; Matthew 26:67; Mark 10:34
  • 24. S Isaiah 48:16
  • 25. S Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 42:1
  • 26. Jeremiah 1:18; Jeremiah 15:20; Ezekiel 3:8-9
  • 27. S Isaiah 28:16; S Isaiah 29:22
  • 28. S Isaiah 26:2; S Isaiah 49:4
  • 29. S Psalms 34:18
  • 30. S Job 13:19; S Isaiah 43:26; Romans 8:32-34
  • 31. S Isaiah 41:1
  • 32. S Isaiah 48:16
  • 33. S Isaiah 41:10
  • 34. Romans 8:1,34
  • 35. S Job 13:28; S Isaiah 51:8
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