Links for today’s readings:
Jul 13 Read: Isaiah 42 Listen: (4:11) Read: Psalm 107 Listen: (4:12)
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 42.1-4
1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
Reflection: Being God’s Servant
By John Tillman
Who is God’s servant?
In Isaiah, God’s “servant” is not a bowing, scraping, subservient, underling. The servant Isaiah sings about is the type of servant who stands as a representative of his master, speaking in his name, acting in accordance with his will, and representing his presence and person. This was common in Isaiah’s time. Isaiah described a human example of this in Sennacherib’s commander who spoke in his king’s name during the siege of Jerusalem (Is 36). Joseph, speaking for Pharaoh (Gen 41.41-44), is another example.
God’s servant in Isaiah is an image of God, representing God’s will, presence, and person.
God’s servant in Isaiah is a leader, but also a laborer. Isaiah emphasizes the effort, strain, and passion of the servant. He stirs up his zeal to face his enemies and cries out like a woman in childbirth, gasping and panting with exertion. This is not just an Old Testament idea. Paul described the “incomparably great power” and “mighty strength” God “exerted” when raising Jesus from the dead (Eph 1.19-20). And many writers describe the extreme anguish, both physical and spiritual, of Jesus, beginning in Gethsemane and continuing to his last cries on the cross.
God’s servant works with effort, exerting God’s power, granted for God’s purposes.
God’s servant in Isaiah is tough and tender, but these aren’t opposites or contradictions. His tenderness motivates his toughness. Because he will not break a bruised reed, he levels mountains to rescue the injured. Because he will not snuff out a smoldering wick, he dispels darkness, igniting a blazing torch of justice.
God’s servant is driven by mercy, love, and compassion, not vengeance, hatred, or violence.
Isaiah’s servant songs looked forward to multiple realities. One was the post-exile restoration of Israel when, one by one, God would overcome all obstacles, political and spiritual, to his people returning to live again with him in Jerusalem. Another was a cosmic picture of God’s work of salvation for all humanity, when God, through Jesus, destroys obstacles or enemies keeping his children from living with him in eternity.
Ultimately, Isaiah’s servant is Jesus. But in your world, through the Holy Spirit, you represent Jesus’ presence and person. Be more and more conformed into a better image of him (Rom 8.29; 12.2). Work in his name, with his mighty power, toward his merciful purpose. Gasp and pant to birth the gospel into your world.
Be God’s servant. In Jesus’ name.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. — Psalm 19.14
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: Dependent Hope
Extraordinarily committed and fortunate individuals…might shake off a human tyrant…But from the tyrants that really matter, sin and death, we cannot break free.
Read more: Stories of the Redeemed
Why should we care for stories of the vagrants, the vagabonds, and the vanquished? We are listening for the turnaround point.
