“He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.”
Isaiah 53:11
The last three verses of Isaiah 52, and the 12 verses of Isaiah 53, comprise the fourth and final servant song in Isaiah. Just as the fourth gospel presents the majesty of the Word became flesh, the fourth servant song presents the wonder
of the Lord’s Servant who suffered beyond words for the sins of his people.
It is impossible to overstate the importance of this single prophecy.
It is passed over in the synagogue reading of Isaiah.
The humility of this servant is highlighted throughout the prophecy.
The pride of all men is the contrast.
It is the sin of pride that keeps us from surrendering our will
to receive the Life of this Servant.
The song is cast in 5 stanzas of three verses each.
We look briefly at the first 3, before we eat the bread together.
52:13-15 describes his Destiny, that is not yet fully realized. read It describes his physical appearance being marred, when the thorns were pressed upon his head, and upon the cross. It also seems to look ahead to the Judgment when all of the kings that have ever reigned, shall see that they ruled under his authority.
53:1-3 describes his Career, the days of his flesh:
his growing up as a boy, and his rejection as a man. read 1-3
53:4-6 describes his Suffering. Here is where our hearts must be pierced. read 4 explain “griefs” is lit. sicknesses.
Note the misunderstanding of the people.
They thought he was suffering because of some sin in his own life. cf. vs. 8.
Matthew interprets Jesus’ power to heal Peter’s mother-in-law as one fulfillment of verse 4, in 8:17.
Jesus’ death not only covered sins, but also provides the power
to heal the wounds of sin. It is still available today.
The Hebrew word translated “wounded” is chalal . It means “pierced”.
Crucifixion was invented by the Persians, about 200 years after Isaiah wrote.
( note Psalm 22:16 & Zechariah 12:10 )
“ the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” – 5b
read 6
Father we have failed to consider our guilt in his death as we should.
we have shielded our hearts from being pierced, and we have walked
with illusions of our goodness and self sufficiency.
We have remained proud and unmerciful.
Forgive us for failing to remember him.
verses 7-9 show his Submission. read How can we develop his likeness,
without repeated submission to the Father?
His virtual silence during his mock trials is referred to. He kept the dignity of
humility throughout all the provocations.
Vs. 8 restates that those that surrounded him did not understand his suffering
was because of their sins -- and ours.
Vs. 9 refers to his burial among sinners, in the tomb a rich man willingly gave.
Note the description of the servant at his burial,
“although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”
Violence and deceit are listed among the abominations. ( Proverbs 6:16-19 )
verses 10-12 describe his Reward. The final stanza begins with the statement,
it pleased Jehovah to bruise him. This points back to Eden,
that the serpent would bruise the heel of the woman’s seed.
Isaiah writes that Jehovah would make this man’s soul, an offering for sin,
Jehovah would see this man’s “seed”, his descendants,
and would prolong his days -- his Resurrection. read Revelation 1:18
the pleasure of Jehovah would prosper in his hand. read Psalm 110:3
11, “He shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.”
If the punishment of our sins was not fully suffered then and there,
by Jesus alone, we are forever condemned. read 11b.
His great reward is spoken of last, along with its reason. read 12
Father we will never understand his anguish in being separated from You.
Restore in us the humility of understanding –
we live only because of the death of your Servant.