Isaiah 42
Isaiah 42 can be divided into four main parts. First (verses 1–4), the “servant” chosen by God appears. This servant is tasked with bringing justice, and does so with gentleness. Second (verses 5–9), the purpose for God the Creator sending the servant is mentioned, along with the beginning of a new covenant through the servant. Third (verses 10–17), there follows a scene in which the whole world praises God for His new work. Fourth (verses 18–25), however, the servant is described as blind, Israel cannot hear or understand, and the need for restoration and paying heed is emphasized.
1verse“Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.
2verseHe will not shout, nor raise his voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street.
3verseHe won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a dimly burning wick. He will faithfully bring justice.
4verseHe will not fail nor be discouraged, until he has set justice in the earth, and the islands wait for his law.”
5verseGod the LORD, he who created the heavens and stretched them out, he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, he who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it, says:
6verse“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness. I will hold your hand. I will keep you, and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations,
7verseto open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison.
8verse“I am the LORD. That is my name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to engraved images.
9verseBehold, the former things have happened and I declare new things. I tell you about them before they come up.”
10verseSing to the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the islands and their inhabitants.
11verseLet the wilderness and its cities raise their voices, with the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing. Let them shout from the top of the mountains!
12verseLet them give glory to the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
13verseThe LORD will go out like a mighty man. He will stir up zeal like a man of war. He will raise a war cry. Yes, he will shout aloud. He will triumph over his enemies.
14verse“I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant.
15verseI will destroy mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs. I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools.
16verseI will bring the blind by a way that they don’t know. I will lead them in paths that they don’t know. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. I will do these things, and I will not forsake them.
17verse“Those who trust in engraved images, who tell molten images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back. They will be utterly disappointed.
18verse“Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see.
19verseWho is blind, but my servant? Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is as blind as he who is at peace, and as blind as the LORD’s servant?
20verseYou see many things, but don’t observe. His ears are open, but he doesn’t listen.
21verseIt pleased the LORD, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify the law and make it honorable.
22verseBut this is a robbed and plundered people. All of them are snared in holes, and they are hidden in prisons. They have become captives, and no one delivers, and a plunder, and no one says, ‘Restore them!’
23verseWho is there among you who will give ear to this? Who will listen and hear for the time to come?
24verseWho gave Jacob as plunder, and Israel to the robbers? Didn’t the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? For they would not walk in his ways, and they disobeyed his law.
25verseTherefore he poured the fierceness of his anger on him, and the strength of battle. It set him on fire all around, but he didn’t know. It burned him, but he didn’t take it to heart.”
The Mission and Character of the Chosen Servant
Verses 1–4 introduce the LORD’s chosen servant, upon whom God places His Spirit. The servant is portrayed as one who brings justice to the nations, not through loud self-display or crushing the weak, but through faithful and gentle perseverance. The text emphasizes justice, humility, and the servant’s role in God’s purposes for Israel and the nations.
A New Covenant and a Call to Be Light
In verses 5–9, God speaks as the Creator, emphasizing that the servant becomes “the covenant of the people” and “a light for the nations.” Through this servant, a work of salvation is introduced—freeing the captive and shining light on those who were in darkness. Here, “new work” can be understood as God’s comprehensive work of redemption for all people in the world, beyond Israel.
Praise and Transformation, and Israel’s Reality
In verses 10–17, before the new work God accomplishes, there unfolds a song of praise in which the whole earth and the islands rejoice. It describes God breaking the silence and actively working. However, in verses 18–25, God refers to Israel as the “blind servant” and the “deaf servant,” revealing the reality that they are judged without being able to hear or understand God’s will. Ultimately, through a contrast between God’s servant (anointed ruler) and the people of Israel—two servants—the need for God’s redemption (救贖) is highlighted.
Meditation Points
- God’s plan of salvation encompasses all peoples and nations beyond a single ethnic group.
- I think about how I can imitate the image of God’s servant, whose gentleness and service are put into practice through justice.
- Before God’s new work, do I listen, see, and respond? I reflect on Israel’s posture within my own faith.
Apply It to Yourself
- In my life, I look back on whether I am practicing gentleness and justice toward difficult neighbors or those who are marginalized.
- Check whether your daily faith is a life that expects God, who performs the “new work,” and one that understands and puts into practice His voice.
