Read & Absorb Isaiah in Five Daysनमूना

Day Three: The Suffering Servant

Read: Isaiah 36–48

Night: Psalm 41

Today, we meet what’s commonly known as the suffering servant. There’s a paradox to this surprising biblical figure. Many times, the suffering servant is Israel. You see this throughout Isaiah chapter 41. You hear God’s affection toward Israel here: “When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them” (v. 17).

But the suffering servant is also portrayed as a kingly person who loves to help those who are broken. There are four songs about this servant in chapters 42, 49, 50, and 52. He is obedient, and he suffers for the sake of others. Remind you of anyone? You can see the harmony of this idea because Jesus himself confirms he is the Suffering Servant. (We’ll look at this on Day Five).

We see a powerful link between Isaiah 42:2–4 and Matthew 12:17–21 as Matthew quotes the ancient passage, giving those who hear a poignant reminder that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Suffering Servant.

This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him:

“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen.

He is my Beloved, who pleases me.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

He will not fight or shout

or raise his voice in public.

He will not crush the weakest reed

or put out a flickering candle.

Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.

And his name will be the hope of the world.”

As you read about the Suffering Servant, you’ll find many uncanny parallels to the life of Jesus, particularly as Jesus loved outsiders and the broken in his midst. In reference to the Matthew passage above, we know Jesus had the very Spirit of God indwelling him. We know Jesus had a heart for justice, not merely for Israel but for the whole world. After all, he laid down his life for everyone. And in public, except for turning over the tables in the temple when confronting religious abuse, he was gentle, kindhearted, and conciliatory. And he often healed the broken of mind, body, and spirit.

We’re reminded here that Jesus and his name are the hope of the world. The Old Testament beautifully points us toward him, and he is the centrality of our faith. If we want to be like him, it helps to study his predicted attributes as we read about the suffering servant. We uncover his patience, longing for justice for those oppressed, heart for humankind, and his tenacity through suffering. While Israel was expecting a victorious messiah to politically deliver them from foreign oppression, they missed the compelling hints in Isaiah, pointing to a messiah who would suffer.

Lord, thank you for so perfectly fulfilling Scripture. I’m grateful to see how your Word interacts with itself in the Old and New Testaments. Thank you for suffering for my sake, for the world’s sake. Thank you for sending Jesus to this broken world. Amen.