We have finally reached the final Song in Isaiah that points to the coming Messiah as the Suffering Servant. Isaiah 52:13-53-12 are some of the most profound prophecy’s in the Bible. They clearly define and direct us to the coming Messiah, Jesus, and what he will have to endure at the hands of men to accomplish our redemption.
See, my servant will prosper;
he will be highly exalted. Multiple verses in the New Testament speak of the exultation of Jesus and his reign to come. Philippians 2:9-11 speaks of the future exaltation of Jesus. “Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” Ephesians 1:20-23 also speaks of Jesus’ coming exaltation and position due to his sacrifice and resurrection, “that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” An amazing thing about Isaiah Song #4 written thousands of years ago is it begins with telling us of the Messiah who will reign supreme and be exalted by all and it is still in our future!
14 But many were amazed when they saw him.
His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human,
and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. This next verse speaks of how the Messiah will be mistreated, as in hurt to the point that he was disfigured in appearance. This already occurred and is recorded Matthew 27:25-31“ So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it.” At the crucifixion Jesus was nailed hands and feet to a cross to suffer an excruciating death and later his side was slashed with a spear by one of the guards to make sure he was dead.
15 And he will startle many nations.
Kings will stand speechless in his presence.
For they will see what they had not been told;
they will understand what they had not heard about. The Apostle Paul quoted this verse in Romans 15:20-22 where he was explaining to the Roman Christians why he was delayed in coming to them and to whom he had been preaching the good news of Jesus. “My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. 21 I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.”22 In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.” Throughout the ages, Kings and rulers have been amazed and have come to know Jesus as Savior.
As we can see these first 3 verse of Isaiah’s Song #4 include prophecy that was future to the Jews hearing them, fulfilled by Jesus in Jesus’ day and then ones that are still future to us. I pray these verses will increase your faith in God and that you can see His supreme Omniscience from the beginning to end of time. God is eternal and always keeps His Promises!
Linda
Fearless Living 