Isaiah Chapter 42

From The Open Bible Project

42:1 "Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delights-- I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.

• (a) That is, Christ, who in respect to his manhood is called here servant. The prophets used to make mention of Christ after they declared any great promise, because he is the foundation on which all the promises are made and ratified.
• (b) For I have committed all my power to him, as to a most faithful steward: some read, I will establish him: that is, in his office by giving him the fulness of my Spirit.
• (c) Only he is acceptable to me and they that come to me by him: for there is no other means of reconciliation, (Matthew 12:18; Ephesians 4:1)
• (d) He will declare himself governor over the Gentiles and call them by his word, and rule them by his Spirit.

42:2 He will not shout, nor raise his voice, nor cause it to be heard in the street.

• (e) His coming will not be with pomp and noise, as earthly princes.

42:3 He won't break a bruised reed. He won't quench a dimly burning wick. He will faithfully bring justice.

• (f) He will not hurt the weak and feeble, but support and comfort them.
• (g) Meaning, the wick of a lamp or candle which is almost out, but he will cherish it and snuff it, that it may shine brighter.
• (h) Although he favours the weak, yet will he not spare the wicked, but will judge them according to truth and equity.

42:4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, until he has set justice in the earth, and the islands will wait for his law."

• (i) Till he has set all things in good order.
• (k) The Gentiles will desire to receive his doctrine.

42:5 Thus says God Yahweh, he who created the heavens and stretched them out, he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, he who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it.

42:6 "I, Yahweh, have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations;

• (l) Meaning, to a lawful and just calling.
• (m) To assist and guide you.
• (n) As him, by whom the promise made to all nations in Abraham will be fulfilled.

42:7 to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison.

42:8 "I am Yahweh. That is my name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to engraved images.

• (o) I will not permit my glory to be diminished: which I would do if I were not faithful.

42:9 Behold, the former things have happened, and I declare new things. I tell you about them before they come up."

• (p) As in time past I have been true in my promises, so will I be in time to come.

42:10 Sing to Yahweh a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the islands and their inhabitants.

42:11 Let the wilderness and its cities raise their voices, with the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing. Let them shout from the top of the mountains!

• (q) Meaning, the Arabians, under whom he comprehends all the people of the East.

42:12 Let them give glory to Yahweh, and declare his praise in the islands.

42:13 Yahweh will go out like a mighty man. He will stir up zeal like a man of war. He will raise a war cry. Yes, he will shout aloud. He will triumph over his enemies.

• (r) He shows the zeal of the Lord, and his power in the conservation of his Church.

42:14 "I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant.

• (s) I will haste to execute my vengeance, which I have so long deferred as a woman that desires to be delivered, when she is in labour.

42:15 I will destroy mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs. I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools.

42:16 I will bring the blind by a way that they don't know. I will lead them in paths that they don't know. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. I will do these things, and I will not forsake them.

• (t) That is, my poor people, who are in perplexity and care.

42:17 "Those who trust in engraved images, who tell molten images, 'You are our gods' will be turned back. They will be utterly disappointed.

42:18 "Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see.

42:19 Who is blind, but my servant? Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is as blind as he who is at peace, and as blind as Yahweh's servant?

• (u) That is, Israel, which would have most light because of my Law.
• (x) The priest to whom my word is committed, who would not only hear it himself but cause others to hear it.
• (y) As the priests and prophets that would be lights to others?

42:20 You see many things, but don't observe. His ears are open, but he doesn't listen.

42:21 It pleased Yahweh, for his righteousness' sake, to magnify the law, and make it honorable.

42:22 But this is a robbed and plundered people. All of them are snared in holes, and they are hidden in prisons. They have become a prey, and no one delivers; and a spoil, and no one says, 'Restore them!'

• (z) Because they will not acknowledge this blessing from the Lord, who is ready to deliver them, he permits them to be spoiled by their enemies through their own fault and incredulity.
• (a) There will be no one to comfort them , or to will the enemy to restore that which he has spoiled.

42:23 Who is there among you who will give ear to this? Who will listen and hear for the time to come?

• (b) Meaning, God’s wrath.

42:24 Who gave Jacob as plunder, and Israel to the robbers? Didn't Yahweh, he against whom we have sinned? For they would not walk in his ways, and they disobeyed his law.

42:25 Therefore he poured the fierceness of his anger on him, and the strength of battle; and it set him on fire all around, but he didn't know; and it burned him, but he didn't take it to heart."