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Isaiah 50:4-11 The Servant of the Lord is Innocent of Any Wrong
When a guilt offering was made in the Old Testament, God required the sacrifice to be without blemish or defect. The prophet Malachi would decry the people for their contempt in offering up blemished animals for sacrifices. A blemished offering was no real offering. It is a failure and insult. In order to carry out his work the servant of the Lord needed complete holiness. Here the holy servant makes his proclamation of complete innocence.
50:4-11 A change in speaker takes place here. Recall that there was a previous servant of the Lord mentioned who would bring salvation to all and who had the anointing of the Spirit of the Lord. With the understanding that this is that same servant of the Lord, list at least seven of the additional details mentioned here. Discuss how they are fulfilled in Christ.
| The Holy Servant of the Lord | Fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ |
| 50:4 learned and wise (Lk 2:47 & Mk 6:2) 50:4 his word sustains the weary (Mt 11:28) 50:5 he listens and is not rebellious (Mt 4:10 & Lk 22:42) 50:6 he submitted to beatings and accepted mockery (John 18:11 & Mt 26:67) 50:7 he is confident that he will not fail, so he doesn’t give up (Mt 26:63-64) 50:8-9 he is free of guilt and faultless (John 18:23) 50:10 to listen to this servant is parallel to worshiping the Lord (John 5:23) 50:10 to listen and trust this servant is to trust in the name of the Lord (John 14:1,6) 50:11 this servant dishes out judgment (torment in death) on his enemies (John 5:22, Mt 25:41) | |
50:8 The Servant invites his accusers to approach him and see if they can find any fault. Share some of the things that people today might hold against Jesus and explain why their accusations all fall flat.
- Various answers possible. This deals with Christian apologetics.
- Example: “the Church only wants money” (Christ gives us everything, we are told to give in thanksgiving with a cheerful heart, not under compulsion. Christ’s love compels us.)
- Example: “Why does God let me suffer?” (Believers are not punished for sins. He knows suffering! Christ suffered in our place. Our present suffering leads to hope and glorifies God, and because Jesus rose our hope will not fail)
- Example: “Your church doesn’t love all people like the LGBTQ groups” (Jesus suffered for them too, but calls them to new life in faith. He invites them to now listen to his word and rely on God who forgives and gives peace and new life.)
- Example: “I was abused by a Christian church/pastor” (That is why we need the one true faultless servant of the Lord. He alone will never fail us. Don’t rely on men, listen to the word of Christ. Faithful churches and pastors proclaim him and listen to him.)
- Example: “I can’t accept a God who allows for evil things.” (See the verses about the Servant’s judgment over evil. The day of his judgment will come. Justice will be met. Yet we can also marvel if someone has done evil, they are atoned for too. He has mercy on all who look to him.)
Expound on the grand importance of the servant of the Lord needing to be free from any sin.
- (see; Psalm 49:8-9, 15; Hebrews 7:26-28)
Review Isaiah 50:4-11
Explain how this section contains truths from the following watchwords:
- “Scripture Alone”
- “Scripture Alone” (the servants word sustains the weary)
- “Grace Alone”
- “Grace Alone” (the servant was innocent, but suffered for us; the one walking in darkness is invited to trust in the servant)
- “Faith Alone”
- “Faith Alone” (the servant invites the people in the dark to trust his word and rely on God)
- “Christ Alone”
- “Christ Alone” (the servant is the only one how is perfectly holy and innocent, only he could do all this. The servant will judge all those who trust in other gods.)
Explain why a believer can be certain that Jesus remained completely innocent of any wrong.
- Several reasons according to Scripture:
- This fulfilled what was prophesied about him in Isaiah.
- He had no sinful nature, (conceived by Holy Spirit, born of a virgin)
- As a side bonus: Pilate, an unbeliever, couldn’t find any charges fitting to punish Jesus.
- The Father declared at his baptism, transfiguration, and the temple area: “This is my Son, whom I love with him I am well pleased”
- Jesus accepted and asserted the fact that he was completely innocent of wrong.
- Jesus had pointed to his resurrection as proof and a sign for all to testify to his truth and his full divinity.
- As true God it was impossible for him to sin and fail in his mission. As true God Jesus is holy: “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” (Dt 32:4)
- The apostles testified to his total innocence (1 Pt 1:19)
Review Isaiah 50
Compare and contrast Israel as a nation with the servant who speaks in this chapter. What are some similarities? What sets this servant apart?
Summarize the two main thoughts of this chapter by explaining how 1) The Father was innocent of any wrong 2) The Servant of the Lord was innocent of any wrong.
Isaiah is now introducing us to the Servant’s suffering. He hinted at it already at the start of chapter 40. He will go on to expound on what that suffering means for us. Read 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:17-18; 4:1 and explain what the Holy Servant of the Lord accomplished in suffering 1) as our example and 2) as our Redeemer.
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