Study notes

Isaiah 50

Introducing IsaiahWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

49:1–53:12 Section

The messages of Isaiah 49:1–6; 50:4–9 and 52:13 – 53:12 talked more about God’s servant. It isn’t known for sure who this servant was at the time of these prophecies. It may have been the prophet Isaiah. It may have been someone who helped God’s people while they were in exile. God set the servant apart to do God’s work.

That work was to bring Jacob’s family line back to God. This meant that the servant would help God’s people live the way God wanted them to. They would truly live as God’s people and be faithful to him. It also meant that the servant would help them return from exile to their land.

The servant’s work was also to be a light for the Gentiles. This way everyone on earth would know God. Everyone would trust God to be their Saviour.

The servant didn’t do his work by using violence. He was gentle and spoke the words God taught him. His words were like a sword. He was treated badly. He suffered and was put to death because of the sins of God’s people. He was willing for this to happen even though he hadn’t done anything wrong.

In this way he became a sin offering for God’s people. Suffering in this way is different from the pattern that Job’s friends had noticed. They had noticed that people who did foolish and sinful things were made to suffer. God’s servant was suffering even though he hadn’t done sinful and foolish things. He was suffering in order to help God’s people.

God’s servant showed that suffering for others can lead to their salvation. This helped Jesus’s followers understand the work that Jesus did when he died on the cross. Many New Testament writers used words from these chapters about God’s servant to describe Jesus.

50:1

God was not responsible for the people's problems; their sin caused their exile (see also Isaiah 59:1–15).
Jerusalem, the main city of Judah (Psalm 87:5–6), was destroyed, and the people of Judah went into exile in 586 BC.

50:1–3

This argument shows that God was not forced to abandon Israel. Therefore, he could choose to accept the nation back as his people if he wished.

50:2

Why did no one answer: The people did not respond to God's repeated call to trust him and repent of their sins. They were deaf and stubborn (see Isaiah 6:9–10; 29:18; 35:5; 42:18–19).
The Lord came and called the people through the prophets (see also Isaiah 65:1–3).
do I lack the strength to deliver you?: God could rescue Israel and Judah from the Assyrians and Babylonians, but he first had to address his people's sinfulness (see Isaiah 59:1).
My rebuke dries up the sea: This refers to the parting of the Red Sea during the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 14:21–22).

50:3

People connected events like darkness and wearing mourning clothes with the day of the Lord (Isaiah 13:10; see study note on Isaiah 2:5–22). The mention of darkness might refer to the plague of darkness in Egypt (Exodus 10:21).

50:4

The Lord, who never gets tired (Isaiah 40:28), sends the servant with good news (see 40:28–31) to comfort those who are tired (see study note on Isaiah 40:1–31).

50:4–11

This is the third of four servant songs (see study note on Isaiah 42:1–4). The loyal and suffering servant represents an ideal Israel. This image came true in Jesus Christ.

50:6

struck Me … tore out My beard … scorn and spittle: These connections with the experience of Jesus at his crucifixion are too close to not be intentional. Jesus is the true suffering servant (see Matthew 27:27–31).

50:7

Externally, the servant would be disgraced and shamed by others. However, inside himself he would wait calmly for God to prove that he was right (see Isaiah 29:22; 54:4; 61:7). He trusted that God would defend him and clear his name.
set My face like flint: The servant would be determined to follow God's will (see Luke 9:51).

50:8

The One who vindicates Me is near: God defends those who suffer for following his will. Vindication is an act of God where he lifts up those wrongly shamed and punishes the wicked, proud, and arrogant (see also 2 Thessalonians 1:6–9).
confront … a case against Me: Trust in God’s vindication removes fear and strengthens faith (see Romans 8:31–34).

50:9

Who is there to condemn Me?: This question expects the answer, “No one!” The servant is confident that no one can prove him guilty.

This statement points forward to the New Testament teaching about justification (God declaring a person to be right with him). Paul speaks about this in Romans 8:31–35).

50:10

To see if someone respects the Lord, observe how they treat God's righteous servant. This idea is similar to the statement Jesus made that no one can reach the Father except through him (John 14:6).
Those who trust in the Lord have strong hope for the future (see Isaiah 12:2).

50:10–11

This is a call for response to the servant’s ministry.

50:11

all you who kindle a fire: Spiritually complacent people do not respond to God. They may feel comfortable and secure now, but they will soon experience great suffering (see Isaiah 66:24).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources