To those who visit Isaiah again this week: I did preach of "something new" last week, wandering through the Isaiah, Psalm 126 and the Phil. text. At the end of the service I asked them to consider, and pray for the new thing they must be straining toward individually, that which will bring glory to God; then, to wait before Him as He reveals what new thing He will have for us corporately. My prayer is that I will accept what happens, and allow a song of joy to come from my lips, even if my dream of a new thing--that which I will propose--is passed over. Somewhere tonight, wild jackals and owls honor Him. May I do so as well, being certain of who formed and created me, even if I'm not certain of much else!
To those who visit Isaiah again this week: I did preach of "something new" last week, wandering through the Isaiah, Psalm 126 and the Phil. text. At the end of the service I asked them to consider, and pray for the new thing they must be straining toward individually, that which will bring glory to God; then, to wait before Him as He reveals what new thing He will have for us corporately. My prayer is that I will accept what happens, and allow a song of joy to come from my lips, even if my dream of a new thing--that which I will propose--is passed over. Somewhere tonight, wild jackals and owls honor Him. May I do so as well, being certain of who formed and created me, even if I'm not certain of much else!
This text, the third of the Servant Songs that arose in the last years of Israel's exile in Babylon, speaks of the servant's obedience in the midst of persecution. Though the servant has been variously understood as the prophet himself or a remnant of faithful Israel, Christians have often recognized the figure of Christ in these poems.
The servant figure in this passage may be an unknown individual or a personification of the whole nation. Though treated harshly and unfairly, the servant trusts in God's vindication. Christian tradition has found a resonance with the servant's experience and Jesus' suffering.
Interesting note: some translated "of a teacher" to "of a taught-one (disciple)". Even the subjective "he" in "morning by morning he wakens" could be vague, the object is very clear, it's "my ear" that was awaken, so that I can can be taught. The ambiguous subjective "he" earlier could be "The Lord GOD", could be myself, or it could even be "the weary", but the main thing is that "The Lord GOD" is the one who "open my ear", and I am respoding to Him, not rebellious against Him, not turn backward running away from Him.
Help me to be a faithful learner, morning by morning, help me with my ears to receive from You, in order to prepare my tongue to sustain the weary with Your Word.
Coho, Midway City.