The Foreordained Servant Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Created by David Turner www.BibleStudies-Online.com

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 13 “Look, my servant will succeed! He will be elevated, lifted high, and greatly exalted – 14 (just as many were horrified by the sight of you) he was so disfigured he no longer looked like a man; 15 his form was so marred he no longer looked human – so now he will startle many nations. Kings will be shocked by his exaltation, for they will witness something unannounced to them, and they will understand something they had not heard about.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (NET) 1 Who would have believed what we just heard? When was the Lord’s power revealed through him? 2 He sprouted up like a twig before God, like a root out of parched soil; he had no stately form or majesty that might catch our attention, no special appearance that we should want to follow him. 3 He was despised and rejected by people, one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him; he was despised, and we considered him insignificant. 4 But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (NET) 5 He was wounded because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed. 6 All of us had wandered off like sheep; each of us had strayed off on his own path, but the Lord caused the sin of all of us to attack him. 7 He was treated harshly and afflicted, but he did not even open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughtering block, like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not even open his mouth. 8 He was led away after an unjust trial – but who even cared? Indeed, he was cut off from the land of the living; because of the rebellion of his own people he was wounded.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (NET) 9 They intended to bury him with criminals, but he ended up in a rich man’s tomb, because he had committed no violent deeds, nor had he spoken deceitfully. 10 Though the Lord desired to crush him and make him ill, once restitution is made, he will see descendants and enjoy long life, and the Lord’s purpose will be accomplished through him. 11 Having suffered, he will reflect on his work, he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done. “My servant will acquit many, for he carried their sins. 12 So I will assign him a portion with the multitudes, he will divide the spoils of victory with the powerful, because he willingly submitted to death and was numbered with the rebels, when he lifted up the sin of many and intervened on behalf of the rebels.”

Introduction to the Servant Written 700 years before Christ. It details the nature of Christ’s ministry. One of the most quoted OT passages in the NT. Matthew 8:17 (NET) In this way what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet was fulfilled: “He took our weaknesses and carried our diseases.” Luke 22:37 For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me is being fulfilled.”

The Exalted Servant (52:13) He will be a servant. He will be exalted Isaiah 52:13 (NET) “Look, my servant will succeed! He will be elevated, lifted high, and greatly exalted – Matthew 12:18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I take great delight. I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. Philippians 2:9 (NET) 9 As a result God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,

The Suffering Servant (52:14-15a) He will be a suffering servant Isaiah 52:14-15 14 (just as many were horrified by the sight of you) he was so disfigured he no longer looked like a man; 15 his form was so marred he no longer looked human

He will impact the nations (52:15) Isaiah 52:15 (NET) his form was so marred he no longer looked human – so now he will startle many nations. Kings will be shocked by his exaltation, for they will witness something unannounced to them, and they will understand something they had not heard about. Isaiah 52:15 (NIV) 15 so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.

Who would have believed? (53:1) Who would have believed that he would be a suffering servant? Who would have believed that he wouldn’t come in force (military might)? Isaiah 53:1 (NET) Who would have believed what we just heard? When was the Lord’s power revealed through him? John 12:37-38 (NET) 37 Although Jesus had performed so many miraculous signs before them, they still refused to believe in him, 38 so that the word of Isaiah the prophet would be fulfilled. He said, “Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

A Lowly and Rejected Messiah (53:2-3) He was lowly He was rejected Isaiah 53:2-3 2 He sprouted up like a twig before God, like a root out of parched soil; he had no stately form or majesty that might catch our attention, no special appearance that we should want to follow him. 3 He was despised and rejected by people, one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness; people hid their faces from him; he was despised, and we considered him insignificant. Matthew 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

A Substitute Who Bore Our Afflictions (53:4-6) He would take our illnesses and diseases upon himself. Isaiah 53:4 4 But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done. Matthew 8:16-17 16 When it was evening, many demon-possessed people were brought to him. He drove out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. 17 In this way what was spoken by Isaiah the prophet was fulfilled: “He took our weaknesses and carried our diseases.”

A Substitute Who Bore Our Afflictions (53:4-6) He will take away our sins. Isaiah 53:5 (NET) He was wounded (NIV- pierced) because of our rebellious deeds, crushed because of our sins; he endured punishment that made us well; because of his wounds we have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed.

A Substitute Who Bore Our Afflictions (53:4-6) He will bring us back to God. Isaiah 53:6 All of us had wandered off like sheep; each of us had strayed off on his own path, but the Lord caused the sin of all of us to attack him. 1 Peter 2:24-25 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we may cease from sinning and live for righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep but now you have turned back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

A Willing Sacrifice (53:7) Isaiah 53:7 He was treated harshly and afflicted, but he did not even open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughtering block, like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not even open his mouth. Mark 14:60-61 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is this that they are testifying against you?” 61 But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest questioned him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 1 Peter 2:23 (NET) 23 When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly.

Unjustly Condemned (53:8-9) He will receive an unjust trial He will be killed. Isaiah 53:8 He was led away after an unjust trial – but who even cared? Indeed, he was cut off from the land of the living; because of the rebellion of his own people he was wounded. Acts 8:31-33 31 The man replied, “How in the world can I, unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of scripture the man was reading was this: “He was led like a sheep to slaughter, and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In humiliation justice was taken from him. Who can describe his posterity? For his life was taken away from the earth.”

Unjustly Condemned (53:8-9) He will be condemned with criminals He will be buried with the rich. Isaiah 53:9 They intended to bury him with criminals, but he ended up in a rich man’s tomb, because he had committed no violent deeds, nor had he spoken deceitfully. Matthew 27:38 Then two outlaws were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Luke 23:50-53 50 Now there was a man named Joseph who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man…. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut out of the rock, where no one had yet been buried.

A Pleasing Sin Offering (53:10) Isaiah 53:10 10 Though the Lord desired to crush him and make him ill, once restitution is made, he will see descendants and enjoy long life, and the Lord’s purpose will be accomplished through him.

A Willing and Satisfied Savior (53:11) Isaiah 53:11 Having suffered, he will reflect on his work, he will be satisfied when he understands what he has done. “My servant will acquit many, for he carried their sins. John 10:14-18 14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me – 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not come from this sheepfold. I must bring them too, and they will listen to my voice, so that there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 This is why the Father loves me – because I lay down my life, so that I may take it back again. 18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down of my own free will. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it back again. This commandment I received from my Father.”

The Suffering Servant will be Exalted (53:11-12) Isaiah 53:12 So I will assign him a portion with the multitudes, he will divide the spoils of victory with the powerful, because he willingly submitted to death and was numbered with the rebels, when he lifted up the sin of many and intervened on behalf of the rebels.” Colossians 2:15 Disarming the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

What About You? Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Don’t wait until then, bow the knee and trust in Him today.