ers of Isaiah contain a series of beautiful poetic prophecies about a servant who would bless the world through his life, labors, and suffering. Collectively these prophecies are known as the “Servant Songs” or the “Servant Psalms.” Though an issue of some debate, a typical list of the Servant Songs includes Isaiah 42:1–6; 49:1–6; 50:4–9; 52:13–15; 53:1–12.[1]
Through the centuries, scholars, saints, and students have debated the identity of the servant. Some speculate the servant is Isaiah himself. Others suggest that perhaps the servant is Cyrus, the great and magnanimous king who united the Medes and Persians, conquered Babylon, and allowed the Jews to return to Judah. One of the songs, Isaiah 49:1–7, specifically identifies Israel as the servant. Still others see Moses, Jeremiah, and Abraham as fulfillments of the prophecies.[2] Indeed, a case can be made for each of these individuals or entities, and others, to be a fulfillment of some of the Servant Song prophecies, but Latter-day Saints and other Christians typically identify “the Servant” as Jesus Christ, for it can be shown that he fulfills all the prophecies of the Servant Songs and some only he can fulfill. Thus while other individuals or entities such as Isaiah, Cyrus, or Israel appear to fulfill certain portions of the Servant Songs’ prophecies, in that capacity they can appropriately be viewed as a type or a symbol for Jesus Christ—the Servant who fulfills them all.
While a study of what the Servant Songs may
Isaiah 58:6-14 is a very powerful passage. The first bible version that I read it in was the King James Version. That version didn't really make very much sense to me because of all the "thou's" and "thee's" and "thines". So then I looked it up again in the New Revised Standard Version. It was a lot clearer when I looked it up in that bible. There are a few similarities and differences from the different versions that I read. The two that stood out the most to me was the King James Version, and the New Revised Standard Version. The differences were like night and day. Probably because they were the first two that I read, and maybe because the King James Version, like I said earlier, has a lot of the "1800's language," like "thou"
The prophet Isaiah played an important role in the development and expression of Judaism as a dynamic, living religion through the impact of his works. The impact of Isaiah is evident in both the development and expression of Judaism both in his time and in modern society, as his teachings, for the Jewish people, prove to be relevant to the times. Considered among Jews as one of the greatest prophets, Isaiah has contributed to and affected the life of adherents in the Jewish faith through his political and religious influence, his prophetic messages concerning
Jesus is, as the Messianic Servant, shown to be the fulfilment of further Isaianic prophecy, that of the suffering Servant. Throughout Matthew’s gospel there are six direct allusions to Isaiah 53 indicating a definite link and identification by Matthew with this Israelite and Messianic hope. Further, Farmer suggests that direct allusions notwithstanding in 20:20-28 and especially 26:26-30 Isaiah 53's redemptive hope is supposed to be fulfilled through Jesus’ description of the outcome of his crucifixion.
Isaiah takes the time to describe the beings that surround the King. He says (Verse2)
Psalms; Isaiah 48:22; Isaiah 57:20,21; Jeremiah 25:31; Ezekiel 21:34; Malachi 3:21 ( + (possibly) other cases; often hard to decide); specifically of Pharaoh Exodus 9:27 (J), Babylon Isaiah 13:11; Isaiah 14:5, Chaldeans Habakkuk 1:4,13; "" שׂנְאֵי יהוה2Chronicles 19:2.
The prophets Ezekiel and Deutero-Isaiah believed that Yahweh had used the Babylonian Empire to punish the Israelites for their sins, and he therefore had the power to redeem them from captivity if they repented. The Babylonian exiles' messianic hope for a restored Judean kingdom under the leadership of a scion of the royal house of David seemed to have been justified when Cyrus the Great, after conquering Babylon in 539 BC, permitted a repatriation of subject populations and a restoration of local temples. The restored Judean commonwealth did not fully realize this hope, however, because the Persians did not allow the reestablishment of a Judean monarchy, but only a temple-state with the high priest as its chief administrator. A truly monotheistic religion developed as the God of Israel came to be seen as the God ruling universal history and the destiny of all nations (Rich 2).
The leaders of Israel were struggling to maintain power due to its neighbors. The prophet Isaiah guided Hezekiah by preaching that he should place his trust in God and not Assyrian alliance. However, King Hezekiah was not consistent with his trust in God, which later resulted in the fall of reign. The book of Isaiah can be broken down into three sections. Chapters 1 to 39 represent the call of judgement for the city of Jerusalem. Chapters 40 to 55 represent the prophet Isaiah in exile, and chapters 56 to 66 represent the return from exile to a new Jerusalem. Each section highlights a part of Isaiah’s
Isaiah 45:23 -- Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear (Prophecy).
The sections of Isaiah subtitled “Servant Songs” speak on a servant who would be instrumental in the fulfilment of God’s plan, while the title of servant is not used, many are lead to the conclusion that among others, the title could fall to someone within the Davidic bloodline, namely the Messiah.
The fasting is one of the most important practices that help a Christian with his spiritual growth. The first purpose of fasting with prayer is to worship God correctly. In Isaiah 58:1-12 records a message of God which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet. The Lord tells Isaiah in the first few verses to proclaim loudly the sins of the nation. God wanted his people to know that He sees and judges their transgressions. Verse two talks about the outward righteousness of the people as they go to church, obey the Word of God, fast and appear to be eager to know more about God. However, the Lord sees the heart and He is not impressed with their religious acts. And this passage speaks to many Christians today. Is our worship a real obedience under God 's grace, or is it a self centered obedience to give God a favor? Fasting is the complete definition of humility before God of putting aside the desires of the flesh in order to see their weakness. We deprive ourselves from our pleasure to share it to others and for His glory. Thus Isaiah 58:6-8 further explains the purpose of fasting, "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as
The book of Isaiah provides a message to the nation of Israel and is one of the most powerful books of prophecy in the Bible. The prophet spoke of events to come that many have attempted to discern. Scholars, Rabbis and Christian Clergy differ in their interpretations of these passages in Isaiah 52 and 53.
Isaiah came during a pivotal time in history. The world was changing rapidly and life was on the edge of prosperity and ruin, as it is today. In this uncertain time Isaiah was called by God to deliver a message of warning, comfort, and deliverance. Christians view the prophecies of Isaiah as a projection of the coming of Jesus Christ. Isaiah spoke of divine judgment and the promises of God through the Prince of Peace. Isaiah’s message of the future King was very meticulous. He describes how Christ will come, Christ’s character and Christ’s purpose. In this paper I will dissect Isaiah’s prophecies in the Old Testament and reference them to the events of Christ in the New Testament.
The Servant King is a great book for any person who would want to get involved or simply study theology. Alexander focuses heavily on Christology throughout the entire book. He begins by going through the Old Testament and explains how it points to the Messiah that is Jesus Christ. He goes through specific events such as: Creation, the woman’s seed and the serpent’s seed, promises to Abraham, the judges, the beginning of a monarchy for the Israelites, and many other important events of the Old Testament. The main point of these sections is to show how even in the times of the Old Testament, all things were still pointing to Christ the Messiah, and the future king. In Chapter 13, titled the same as the whole book, “The Servant King,” Alexander talks about how the future king is described in the latter half of Isaiah, saying that he will suffer for those that have sinned. He will take on their sin for them. This is important because this is something that sets apart Christ from all other kings that have rules over the Israelite people.
The next phrase we shall look at could also have a bearing on the above interpretation of the servants identity, the phrase is found in 53:4 'We esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.' (ESV emphasis mine) or alternatively 'We accounted him plagued, Smitten and afflicted by God.(TNK emphasis mine) The relevant Hebrew word in this phrase is נָגַע 'The essential meaning
There are several challenges with the historical background and political setting of Isaiah 40-66 concerning author, date, time and situation of life for the Jews. LaSor notes that traditional views that Isaiah authored the entire book are held by very few scholars. More and more critics are accepting a two book theory with chapters 1-39 as book one and chapters 40-66 as book two. Moreover, there are further refinements resulting in three books, dividing chapters 40-66 into 40-55 (Deutero-Isaiah) and 56-66 (Trito-Isaiah). (LaSor, William 1996., 281)