Behold! My Servant Whom I Uphold

Text: Isaiah 42:1-4
3 March 2019

ISRAEL AS A SERVANT OF GOD

1. Description of Israel as a servant of God

The original context
a) You, Israel, are My servant   (Isaiah 41:8a)
b) Jacob, whom I have chosen   (Isaiah 41:8b)
c) The descendants of Abraham, My friend   (Isaiah 41:8c)

2. Description of the second chance given to be a servant of God

a) You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth   (Isaiah 41:9a)
b) And called from its farthest regions   (Isaiah 41:9b)
c) I have chosen you and have not cast away   (Isaiah 41:9c)
d) Fear not, for I am with you   (Isaiah 41:10a)
e) Be not dismayed, for I am your God   (Isaiah 41:10b)
f) I will strengthen you   (Isaiah 41:10c)
g) Yes, I will help you   (Isaiah 41:10d)
h) I will uphold you with My righteous right hand   (Isaiah 41:10e)

THE MESSIAH AS AN EXAMPLE OF BEING A TRUE SERVANT OF GOD

1. The Messiah as a Servant

a) Behold, My Servant   (Isaiah 42:1a)
b) Whom I uphold   (Isaiah 42:1b)
c) My Elect One   (Isaiah 42:1c)
d) In whom My soul delights   (Isaiah 42:1d)
e) I have put My Spirit upon Him   (Isaiah 42:1e)
f) He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles   (Isaiah 42:1f)

2. The character of the Messianic-Servant

a) He will be meek
i) He will not cry out   (Isaiah 42:2a)
ii) Nor raise His voice   (Isaiah 42:2b)
iii) Nor cause His voice to be heard   (Isaiah 42:2c)
b) He will be gentle
i) A bruised reed He will not break   (Isaiah 42:3a)
ii) A smoking flax He will not quench   (Isaiah 42:3b)
c) He will practise equity
i) He will bring for justice   (Isaiah 42:3c)
ii) His means: Truth   (Isaiah 42:3d)
d) His resilience
i) He will not fail   (Isaiah 42:4a)
ii) Nor be discouraged   (Isaiah 42:4b)
iii) Till He has established justice   (Isaiah 42:4c)

GOD’S COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP TO HIS MESSIAH-SERVANT

1. God the LORD   (Isaiah 42:5, 6)

2. The God of all glory   (Isaiah 42:8)

a) I have called You in righteousness   (Isaiah 42:6a)
b) I will hold Your hand   (Isaiah 42:6b)
c) I will keep You and give You as a Covenant to the people   (Isaiah 42:6c)
d) As a light to the Gentiles   (Isaiah 42:6d)