1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
13 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
14 I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
15 I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD's servant?
20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
25 Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.
Isaiah chapter 42 is a captivating part of the book of Isaiah in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible. It is a chapter that presents a profound prophecy about the coming of a unique servant of the Lord and the significant role he will play in the redemption of Israel and the world at large. The chapter is a blend of hope, justice, redemption, and a call for transformation. It is a chapter that underscores the divine nature of God's relationship with His people and His unwavering commitment to their salvation.
The chapter begins with a prophecy about the coming of a servant of the Lord, who is endowed with God's spirit and is divinely chosen to bring forth judgment to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:1). This servant is not only a bearer of God's spirit but also His delight, a clear indication of the special relationship between the servant and God. The nature of this servant is further described as being gentle and not causing any harm or destruction (Isaiah 42:2-3).
The servant's mission is to establish justice in the earth, a mission he pursues until it is accomplished. This mission is not only for Israel but also for the Gentiles. This is a clear indication that God's love and justice extend beyond the borders of Israel to encompass the entire world (Isaiah 42:4).
In Isaiah 42:6-7, God reaffirms His covenant with His people and promises to give His servant as a covenant for them and a light to the Gentiles. This servant is tasked with the responsibility of opening the eyes of the blind, freeing captives from prison, and releasing those who sit in darkness. This is a clear manifestation of God's saving power and His commitment to bring about justice and freedom for His people.
God further asserts His uniqueness and supremacy. He declares that He is the Lord, and there is no other God besides Him. He is the creator of the heavens and the earth, and He gives breath to the people upon it (Isaiah 42:5, 8).
Isaiah 42:10-13 is a call for all people and all creation to sing a new song to the Lord and to praise Him for His mighty acts. The call is not only for the people of Israel but also for the distant coastlands. This is a clear indication of the universal nature of God's salvation and His desire for all people to acknowledge His sovereignty.
The chapter also contains a stern warning for those who trust in idols and say to them, "You are our gods" (Isaiah 42:17). This is a call for transformation and a rejection of idolatry, which is seen as a major impediment to experiencing God's salvation.
In Isaiah 42:18-25, the prophet Isaiah addresses Israel directly, calling them blind and deaf despite being God's servant and messenger. This is a critique of Israel's spiritual blindness and deafness, their inability to perceive God's actions and hear His words. Despite the hardships they have faced, including being plundered and trapped in holes (Isaiah 42:22), they do not take it to heart and understand the consequences of their actions.
Isaiah highlights that it is God who has given Israel up to their plunderers and hidden His face from them because of their disobedience (Isaiah 42:24-25). This serves as a call for Israel to acknowledge their sinfulness, turn back to God, and obey His commandments.
In conclusion, Isaiah chapter 42 presents a dynamic and multifaceted prophecy about the coming of a servant of the Lord who will bring justice to the world. It is a chapter that underscores God's love for His people and His commitment to their salvation. It is also a chapter that calls for a transformation in the lives of God's people and a rejection of idolatry. Above all, it is a chapter that reaffirms the sovereignty of God and His unique role as the creator of the universe and the giver of life.
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