The working preacher team believes that god uses good biblical preaching to change lives. Commentary on isaiah 5253 the suffering servant tough. We have seen that god will redeem his people verse 2. Chapters 4253 of the book of isaiah contain four servant songs. It is clear that jesus fulfills the specifications of the suffering servant of isaiah 53. One cannot say enough about the importance of this inspired book.
According to this commentary, the messiah would suffer martyrdom, he would be. But the nation of israel has not suffered innocently 53. The suffering servant sermon by gregory fisher, isaiah 52. Isaiah 53 in jewish and christian sources stuhlmacher, mr. The designation servant is attributed to israel several times in the book isaiah 41. Jewish teaching also does take note of the historical context in which gods suffering servant appears, particularly because it speaks in the past tense. Achieving exaltation through suffering is a strange thing indeed. Isaiah is the first of all prophetic books in the modern editions as well as in the hebrew bible where he is the first of the later prophets. Isaiah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. In the book of isaiah, the word servant not infrequently seems to be derived from court style where the official of the king was known as his servant muilenburg, 464. Isaiah 53 the suffering servant pdf prologue where we are. Jonathan ben uzziel was traditionally a student of hillel, who died c. Oct 21, 2012 working preacher is a ministry brought to you by luther seminary.
The suffering servant is an enigmatic figure described in the book of the prophet isaiah. An historical and critical study north, christopher r. Not until the twelfth century was it suggested that the servant of isaiah 53 was the nation of israel. Isaiah is a book that unveils the full dimensions of gods judgment and salvation. The suffering servant of isaiah a rabbinic anthology. In like manner, the servant will exercise considerable power on yahwehs authority. Encountering the suffering servant in jewish and christian theology. This is, according to rabbinic interpretation, the pshat, or the plain meaning of the text in isaiah 52. The book of isaiah salvation through the suffering. This servant is someone distinct from the people of israel. While many descendants of abraham have served in the roles of king, prophet, and priest, jesus alone has fulfilled the portrait of the remarkable suffering servant of isaiah 4055.
The sovereign god of creation and history isaiah 4048 sends his promised suffering servant to redeem his people from the judgment they face isaiah 4957 with the anticipation of entering into the future glory of the messianic kingdom isaiah 5866focus on the threat from babylon. In other words, it was about a real person who existed at the time the book of isaiah was written. Though the servant in isaiah 53 is not openly identified these verses merely refer to my servant 52. We have enlisted hundreds of friends biblical scholars, theologians, homileticians and pastors dedicated to the craft of biblical preaching to provide you timely, compelling and trustworthy content. The suffering servant speaks his response to his mission in the second oracle. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied. It poignantly affirms that the lords servant will suffer pain and grief, according to the will of god. Before partaking of the lords supper brethren will often read from. No passage of second isaiah has intrigued readers and interpreters especially among christians more than the four passages that are dedicated to describing a figure known as the suffering servant. This section is set against the backdrop of the assyrian period. Rabbinic judaism sees this passage, especially gods suffering servant, being written over 2500 years ago, without a reference to the king mashiach.
In todays passage, the third of the servant songs, isaiah depicts a servantdisciple, a prophet and more. This beloved chapter in isaiah is often called the su. The suffering of this servant is unique in this regard and goes even further to convince me not to read the suffering servant as a personification of the faithful people of israel. Given that isaiahs first three servant songs clearly identify israel as gods servant, and the surrounding chapters of isaiah 53 clearly speak of israel as a suffering and humiliated individual, liberal christian scholarship frequently ascribes the servant in isaiahs fourth servant song to the nation of israel. As the nations live in right relationships, they will live in a world envisioned by the ten commandments.
The loftiness of the mystery is a reason why it scarcely obtains credit in the world. Isaiah 53,mosiah 14, and the book of mormon, in isaiah in the book of mormon, ed. Introduction for this important chapter it will be helpful to work through the passage first and observe the material to be interpreted. The suffering servant isaiah 5253 beginning with isaiah 52. How can a person possibly miss the vicarious, substitutionary, suffering of this pure and righteous innocent servant. Commentary on isaiah 5253 the suffering servant may 23, 2016 bill pratt leave a comment isaiah 52. The last section of the servant of the lord begins at isaiah 52. The implications of the resurrection are not dealt with in this passage but isaiah predicted that this suffering servant, who died for us criminals and was buried in the tomb of a rich man would see his seed. Yet we will see that people are going to reject him and bring him suffering, so we use the term suffering servant for this person in isaiah. The identity of the suffering servant in isaiah t h e o. Oct 04, 2015 video made editied for neoxenos central teaching on isaiah 53. Isaiah 53 is the fiftythird chapter of the book of isaiah in the hebrew bible or the old testament. All the old testament offices of yahwehs redemptive activity are united in jesus christ.
One of the most striking prophecies of the old testament is the suffering servant song in isaiah 53. Christians have long insisted that this suffering servant is jesus, while jews contend that he is the nation of israel. The servant embodied the exiles hope that, though they are broken and rejected now, they would. The lords suffering servant see, my servant will prosper. It would be too much for the given scope to go into details of the attacks of biblecriticism. Indeed, its direct and indirect use by our lord jesus christ and its vast role in the life of the church had led the fathers to refer to it. The first section, chapters 5, deals with isaiah s times. The servant of the lord verse commentary on isaiah 52. Isaiah s prophecy brings some new light, then, to the ministry of jesus. And in addition to providing unparalleled help in preparing bible studies and sermons, the book is bound to prove useful as supplemental. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. The identity of the suffering servant in isaiah t h e o p. The suffering servant see, my servant shall prosper. The suffering servant of isaiah the nation of israel had abandoned god by trusting in themselves, their religious practices, and foreign nations to protect them.
The gospel according to isaiah 53 presents the redemptive work of the messiah to the jewish community, exploring issues of atonement and redemption in light of isaiah chapter 53. A reading from a yom kippur and rosh hashanah prayer book contains this. Chapter 53 is part of the second major section of isaiah and. It increases faith in jesus as the messiah, as one reads the messianic prophecies that were fulfilled in him. Exegetical notes behold, my servant shall prosper. Apr 08, 2017 we can begin by trying to understand jesus as the suffering servant of god.
But ultimately, isaiah s portrait of the suffering servant king as the true victor over human evil didnt come from nowhere. Gods prophet of doom and deliverance quality publications. A free bible version and commentary on the old testament book of isaiah in easy english. Although isaiah was not the first prophet his prophecies form the longest and most extensive prophetic book of holy scripture. We can interpret these as foreshadowing for the coming of jesus christ. Isaiah 53 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Nor did israels suffering provide substitutionary atonement 53. This is the basis of jesus own selfunderstanding of his role as a ransom for many and pauls message of the cross. Contributors includedarrell bockwalter kaiserrichard averbeckmichael l. Isaiah and the suffering servant motif bibleproject. The ethiopian understood philips message, believed in jesus, and was baptized as a new christian.
Nov 18, 2015 3 facts about isaiahs suffering servant posted on november 18, 2015 by honorshame 2 comments v isaiah 53 is central for understanding the identity of jesus christ. The forbidden chapteralso sacred name usage with rabbi tovia singer duration. There are four times in the book of isaiah that the suffering servant is discussed, but the fourth is the most significant of all the passages and thats the one i want to look at this morning. Is isaiah 53 the suffering servant a prophecy about jesus. Encountering the suffering servant in jewish and christian theology bock, darrell l.
Isaiah 49 to 57 free bible commentary in easy english. In the case of the servant, the onlookers initially judge him guilty because of his suffering but, in some way not explained, they come to. It is isaiah chapter 52 starting at verse and goes to the end of chapter 53. It is a plaintive dirge that declares gods innocent servant was punished for our s ins and crushed for our iniquities. Rather, it frequently is argued that the jewish people in general are in view.
It is the voice of god we hear proudly introducing my servant with whom i am well pleased. This section of the prophets, also known as the suffering servant, has been long understood by the. Proto isaiah chapters 9, deutero isaiah chapters 4055 and trito isaiah chapters 5666. It includes the songs of the suffering servant and four separate passages referring to the nation of israel. The future glory for gods people 5466 reasons to study the book there are many reasons why christians should read and study the book of isaiah. The suffering servant of isaiah 53 is introduced by isaiah 52. For isaiah s original audience, likely living in exile in babylon, the suffering servant may have carried, metaphorically, israels suffering. It is reckoned to be folly, because it exceeds all human capacities. Philip identified the servant in isaiah 53 as jesus. In fact, the author of the book of acts claims that philip converted an ethiopian. Perhaps the greatest of all messianic prophecies in the tanakh the hebrew scriptures the old testament concerning the advent of the jewish messiah is found in the 53rd chapter of the prophet isaiah. The book of isaiah was foundational for the early followers of jesus and helped motivate their mission to bring good news to the nations see acts. Very good no marks on text remainder mark on bottom edge next or sameday shipping tracking number ships from ohio. The northern kingdom of israel was first conquered by assyria then the southern kingdom of.
Isaiah 53 suffering, servant, sorrows, despised, rejected suffering savior chapter isaiah 53. Chapters 4055 are known as deuteroisaiah and date from the time of the israelites. The book of isaiah salvation through the suffering servant 4953 objectives in studying this section 1 to consider the role of the servant in providing comfort and salvation for israel 2 to observe that light and salvation would also be extended to the gentiles 3 to note the remarkable prophecy concerning the suffering servant, who would. The messiah of isaiah 53 and psalms 22 kindle edition by robinson, robert clifton. Isaiah sees him wounded, bruised, chastised, pierced, plagued and cursed for our sins. The word interprets all the previous intimations of vicarious, substitutionary, redemptive suffering. An official of this sort would exercise considerable power on the kings authority. As a result god used assyria and babylon to both judge and awaken them to their sin.
This would include much suffering, but the servant s reward would be his threefold exaltation. He suffers even though he is innocent so that they will not have to suffer. Jul 03, 2004 isaiahs prophecy brings some new light, then, to the ministry of jesus. The suffering servant establishes justice through instruction, a word that refers, above all, to the ten commandments. The suffering servant commentary the ugp curriculum his mission as seen in the words, he shall deal prudently, that is, he will act wisely by doing gods will see isaiah 11. The following is a summary of john collins answer to the question of the identity of the suffering servant. Feinbergmitch glaserdonald sunukjian the gospel according to isaiah 53. It opens the way for john the baptist to say, behold, the lamb of god who takes away the sins of the world.
The principal papers from that conference are now available in jesus and the suffering servant, with contributions by moma d. Instead, like a soldier outfitted for battle or an explorer prepared for mission, the servant is extolled for who he is and for the. The identity of the suffering servant in isaiah ever wonder what the mainstream scholars read. Yet, when we interpret this passage we need to be careful precisely because we are so familiar with it. Mar 26, 2005 the suffering servant is an enigmatic figure described in the book of the prophet isaiah.
For a fuller treatment of the text consider homer haileys a commentary on isaiah with emphasis on the messianic hope religious supply. What is described here is the ideal sufferer, the suffering servant. It is through the suffering of the servant that salvation in its fullest sense is achieved. Both clearly identify the suffering servant in isaiah 53 as the nation of israel. Was jesus of nazareth the suffering servant of whom the prophet isaiah spoke in chapter 53 of his book. So the notes will first offer the findings of these observations and then draw them together into an exposition. But some people claim this passage wasnt a prophecy at all, and the suffering servant is actually the author of isaiah. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet isaiah, and is one of the neviim. According to the most ancient rabbinic commentaries, the identification of israel. Isaiah 53 is the fiftythird chapter of the book of isaiah in the hebrew bible or the old testament of the christian bible. Indeed, its direct and indirect use by our lord jesus christ and its vast role in the life of the church had led the fathers to refer to it as the fifth gospel. Just as there were many who were astonished at him so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of mortals so he shall startle many nations.
The suffering servant in rabbinic controversy judaism solidly taught that the suffering servant was the messiah until a very influential talmudic commentator rabbi shlomo itzchaki, 10401105 ce called rashi and some of the later rabbis began to interpret the passage as referring to israel. The servant songs are four songs in the book of isaiah in the hebrew bible, which include. Is isaiah 53 the suffering servant a prophecy about. The 53rd chapter of isaiah has often been called the suffering servant passage. His coming had been preceded by hundreds of years of prophecies. Mar 29, 2009 jesus, the suffering servant is honored by god because he atoned for our crimes 53. The gospel writers identify jesus of nazareth as fulfilling these verses. There are technically three separate parts to the book of isaiah. Song 4 suffering and triumph of the servant of the lord this fourth song of the suffering servant is likely one of the best known texts of the entire old testament. It is the fourth in a series of passages dealing with the servant or the servant of the lord. The suffering servant of isaiah the bart ehrman blog.
Salvation chapters 5 chapters 3639 chapters 4066 when this takes place. John calvin comments on todays passage as to why salvation through the suffering servant is so despised the world over. Some scholars have called these passages songs, or songs of the suffering servant. The others are found in isaiah chapters 42, 49 and 50. This is what he says in his book the earlyfirstcentury targum of jonathan ben uzziel on isaiah 53 a kind of paraphrastic commentary in aramaic. Isaiah overview james burton coffman commentaries on the. The land and people of israel are to display gods glory on this earth but this is only possible through the redemptive power and salvation provided through gods messiah, the servant of the lord.
The intention is not to denigrate another religion, but rather to understand the true meaning of the divine word. Study the bible online using commentary on isaiah 53 and more. Read isaiah 53 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. The painful destiny of this servant isnt mentioned in this brief song. Well, the suffering servant in isaiah s famous passage is clearly an individual, for 53. It is prophecy about the purpose of messiahs coming into the world. According to jewish tradition isaiah shall have been persecuted by the impious king manasseh son of king hezekiah and sawn asunder in a hollow trunk compare with hebrews 11. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. Therefore, when both ancient and modern rabbinic commentators expound on the clear meaning of the text, they ascribe the suffering servant in isaiah 53 to the nation of israel. The call for a second edition of this book does not appear to demand any drastic revision, the most numerous and significant contributions to the subject in recent years have been by scandinavian scholars, i have therefore contented myself with correcting a few slips, tidying up and supplementing the bibliography, and substituting for the postscript to the first edition what is substantially. The servant of the lord is exalted above all others.
In the midrash we again find reference to the suffering servant of isaiah 53. It was the understanding of the early church that the suffering servant described in isaiah 52. This is one of the most well known passages in the entire old testament. In preparation for communion, i would like to lead you in a brief study in the servant song in isaiah 42.
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