Thus far this great prophecy of the sufferings and death of the
humbled Servant of the Lord has dealt with them mainly from the human
and visible side: it now proceeds to deeper things, outside the range
of human sight. Verses 10-12 predict what Jehovah Himself wrought, and
what He will yet accomplish by means of it.
The holy Servant was to endure bruising and grief, and even have His
very soul made an offering for sin: and all this at the hands of
Jehovah. What it all really involved must ever lie beyond the reach of
our creature-minds, even though they have been renewed by grace. And
that, "it pleased the Lord" to do this, may seem to us an astounding
statement; yet the explanation lies in the latter part of the verse:
since the results that should be achieved were to be of such surpassing
worth and wonder. A parallel thought as regards the Lord Jesus Himself
seems to lie in the words, "Who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross" (Heb. 12: 2)
What are the results as stated in verse 10? They are threefold.
First, "He shall see His seed." This carries our thoughts on to the
Lord's own woods recorded in John 12: 24. Falling into the ground and
dying, as the "corn of wheat," He brings forth "much fruit," which will
be "after His kind," if we may borrow and use the phrase which occurs
ten times in Genesis 1. This will be seen in its fulness in a coming
day when:-
God and the Lamb shall there
The light and temple be,
And radiant hosts for ever share
The unveiled mystery.
Every one in those radiant hosts will be "His seed."
And in the second place, "He shall prolong His days," in spite of
the fact that He was to be "cut off out of the land of the living," as
verse 8 has told us. His resurrection is not stated in so many words,
but it is clearly implied in this wonderful prophecy. In risen life His
days are prolonged as the days of eternity. Raised from the dead, He
"dieth no more: death hath no more dominion over Him" (Rom. 6: 9). In
this risen life His seed are associated with Him.
And the third thing is that in this risen life "the pleasure of the
Lord shall prosper in His hand." There have been devoted men who have
served the Divine pleasure to a large extent, yet failing in many
details. In the hands of the risen Servant all the pleasure of God will
be fulfilled for ever. We have to pass into the New Testament to
discover what that pleasure is, and how it will reach its culmination
in the new heaven and new earth of which Revelation 21 speaks. The old
creation on its earthly side was placed in the hands of Adam, only to
be completely marred. The new creation will abide in untarnished
splendour in the hands of the risen Christ. The light of this shines
into our hearts even now; for as we sometimes sing:-
The new creation's stainless joy
Gleams through the present gloom.
Verse 11 gives us another great prediction. Not only is the risen
Servant to fulfil all the pleasure of Jehovah, but He Himself is to be
satisfied as He sees the full result established as the fruit of "the
travail of His soul." We are little creatures of small capacity, so
that a very little will satisfy us. His capacity is infinite; yet the
fruit of His soul's travail will be so immeasurable as to satisfy Him.
Do not our hearts greatly rejoice that so it is to be.
The latter part of verse 11 in Darby's New Translation reads, "By
His knowledge shall My righteous Servant instruct many in
righteousness; and He shall bear their iniquities." In these words "the
many" are of course those who by faith belong to Him: such receive the
twofold benefit-both the instruction and the expiation. Neither can be
dispensed with; and, thank God, both are ours in this day of grace, as
is so plainly stated in Titus 2: 11-14. Grace not only saves but also
teaches us effectively to live sober, righteous and godly lives. What
is done for us today will be done also for a godly remnant of Israel in
the days to come.
Now we reach the last verse of this great chapter. Note the first word - "Therefore"
Jehovah speaks, and declares that because of what Jesus accomplished in
the day of His humiliation, He shall be assigned a great portion in the
day of glory. Now the whole passage began by the statement that "My
Servant" is to be greatly exalted, and this was followed by a challenge
as to who believed that? -in view of His humiliation and rejection and
sufferings. This last verse declares that instead of His sufferings
being in any way contradictory of His exaltation, they are the secure
basis on which His eternal fame and splendour will rest. And further,
what He has won is not for Himself alone, for He will divide the spoil
with others who are designated "the strong." Our Lord's words, recorded
in Matthew 11: 12, may be an allusion to this, for strength was needed
to receive Him, when the rejection of Himself and His claims was rising
like a tidal wave to sweep all before it. Nor is the opposition of the
world really otherwise for those who receive Christ in faith today.
The chapter closes with one more prediction as to the efficacy of
His atoning sacrifice, coupled with one more detail that had to be
fulfilled in His death. It was fulfilled when they crucified Him
between two thieves, as Mark 15: 27, 28, records. It is remarkable how
the soul of Christ in connection with His sacrifice
is emphasised in this chapter, for we have the two statements-Jehovah
made His soul an offering for sin, and also that He poured out His soul
unto death. In Hebrews 10 the emphasis is placed upon His body, which was prepared for Him, and which He offered, as stated in verse 10 of that chapter. In each of the four Gospels His spirit comes
into prominence. In John's Gospel the record is, "He delivered up His
spirit" (New Trans.) No wonder then that the sins of the "many"-those
who believe on Hirn-have been borne and for ever put away.
Closing the chapter, one asks oneself with wonder, How could Isaiah
have written such words as these, some centuries before they were
fulfilled in Christ, save by direct inspiration of the Spirit of God?
Isaiah 54 proceeds to unfold the results for Israel
of the sufferings of her Messiah, and the first word is "Sing." The
marginal reading of Psalm 65: 1 is, "Praise is silent for Thee O God,
in Sion." Thus indeed it is today. But the time is coming when, as one
of the fruits springing from Christ's sacrificial death, Israel - the
true Israel of God-will break forth into singing. That people who were
so barren and unfruitful under the law when on that basis outwardly
married to Jehovah, will be not only joyful but abundantly multiplied
and blessed.
Graphic figures of speech are used to set this forth. Her tent is to
be enlarged, her cords lengthened, her stakes strengthened. The holding
strength of stakes depends much on the nature of the soil into which
they are driven. When Israel drove her stakes into the law, they gave
way almost at once. Driven into the grace of God, which will find its
expression in the atoning death of their Messiah, they will be made
strong for ever.
The One who will be their "Husband," will be their "Maker" as the
Lord of hosts, and also their "Redeemer" as the Holy One of Israel, and
He will be known as the God of the whole earth. The
Gentile nations surrounding Israel were inclined to regard Him as
Israel's own God, while they each had gods of their own; and even in
Daniel, when Gentile nations were concerned, He is presented as "the
God of heaven." In the millennial day He will be known as the God of the whole earth, though His centre will be in Israel.
How striking the contrasts which we find in verses 7-10. This time
in which Israel is "Lo-ammi," covering more than two thousand years,
may seem long to them, but it is "a small moment" to Him. When at last they are re-gathered it will be with "great mercies," dispensed righteously, since God's humbled Servant had borne their iniquities. Lay stress also on the word, "mercies," for no thought of merit will enter into their blessing. This is fully corroborated in Romans 11: 30-32.
Again, the Jew lies nationally under wrath. It lies upon them, "to
the uttermost," as Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2: 16. Yet, viewed in
the light of the coming mercy, it is seen as "a little wrath," and the
kindness that will be extended to them in mercy will be "everlasting." Hence
"the waters of Noah" are cited; for as, when that judgment was over,
God promised that such judgment should never happen again, so Israel
will be beyond judgment for ever.
Verse 10 reveals the basis of this assurance. A "covenant of Mypeace" will have been established, based upon the fact that "the chastisement of our peace"
(Isa. 53: 5), was borne in the death of their Messiah. This covenant of
peace will no doubt be identical with the "New covenant," which
Jeremiah prophesied in Jeremiah 31. Its details are given there, but
the righteous basis on which it will rest we have just seen, revealed
through Isaiah. We may remember also the New Testament word, "The blood
of the everlasting covenant" (Heb. 13: 20).
The closing verses of this chapter reveal something of the blessings
that will be Israel's portion when the covenant is established. Verses
11 and 12 may speak of favours of a material sort, but verse 13
indicates spiritual blessing. All the true children of Israel will be
taught of God-and His teaching is of an effectual sort-their peace
being great, because it will be founded on righteousness as the next verse indicates.
Adversaries there will be, and they will gather together to disturb
the peace, if that were possible. Of old God did use adversaries to
chastise His people, but in the day now comtemplated their gathering
will be "not by Me," and it will only result in their own overthrow.
When Israel stands in Divinely wrought righteousness neither weapon nor
word shall prevail against them. It is remarkable how righteousness is
emphasised here, wrought on their behalf by the suffering Servant of
Isaiah 53. It reminds one of the way righteousness stands in the very
forefront of Gospel testimony, as we see in Romans 1: 17.
Isaiah 55 opens with a call to "everyone that
thirsteth," and so we pass beyond the confines of Israel to consider in
prophetic outline blessings that will reach to the Gentiles through the
work of the Servant who has died. Illustrations of this we see in Acts
8 and 10. The Ethiopian's thirst led him to take a long journey to
Jerusalem, seeking after God: the thirst of Cornelius led him to prayer
and almsgiving. In both cases, seeking for water to quench their
thirst, they got more, even, "wine and milk without
money and without price." Moreover they got it by inclining their ear
and coming to the Fountain-head. They heard and their souls lived; just
as the prophet said in these verses. Thus we can see how strikingly his
words forecast the Gospel which we know today. So even Gentiles are to
enjoy the blessings of "the everlasting covenant."
Preaching in the synagogue at Antioch, the Apostle Paul cited the
words, "the sure mercies of David," and connected them with the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus. These words connect themselves also
with what we find in Psalm 89, particularly verses 19-29. In that Psalm
mercies are specially emphasized, and the "David," is
God's "Holy One" (verse 19), who is to be made, "My Firstborn, higher
than the kings of the earth" (verse 27), and, "My covenant shall stand
fast with Him" (verse 28). Clearly the Psalm contemplates the Son of
David, of whom David was but the type. All the mercies of the Psalm
will only be verified in Christ risen from the dead. Foremost in those
wonderful mercies are the forgiveness of sins and justification from
all things, which Paul preached at Antioch, and which were so well
responded to by Gentiles, as Acts 13 records.
Gentiles are definitely in view also in verse 4, since the word
"people," which occurs twice, should be in the plural. God's Holy
Servant, risen from the dead, is given as "a Witness to the peoples, a Leader and Commander to the peoples." As
the Witness He makes God known to men. As the Leader and Commander He
brings men into subjection to God. This will be fully seen in the
coming age, when "men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call
Him blessed" (Ps. 72: 17); but the same thing is realized in principle
today as men from a thousand different peoples hear the Gospel and
discover in Jesus the One who has been made both Lord and Christ. Let
each reader challenge his or her heart. Have I fully received His
witness? Is He indeed Leader and Commander in my life?
If verse 1 gives a call to all who thirst, and verse 2 presents an argument, intended to enforce the call; and verse 3, an invitation to life and mercy; verses 4 and 5 make very definite announcements. Only
the announcement of verse 4 is addressed to men, whereas in verse 5 we
find Jehovah's announcement to His Servant risen from the dead, stating
in different words what had been said in Isaiah 49: 6. This has
definite application to the present age, when God is visiting the
nations and taking out of them a people for His Name, and it is
connected in our verse with His present glory. His people will be willing in the day of His power, as Psalm 110 predicts; but many from among the nations are running to Him in this day, and while He is glorified on high.
Verse 6 follows this by offering what we may call a word of advice, followed in verse 7 by a word of assurance. There
is a time when God is near and may be found in grace, and a time when
He retires from the scene to act in judgment. How often are these words
uttered when the Gospel is preached, for the day of salvation is NOW.
The assurance is that if any, however wicked they may be, turn to the
Lord in repentance, there is mercy for him. The forsaking of one's
thoughts and way is just what genuine repentance involves. Faith, we
know, is needed too, but when Isaiah wrote Christ the great Object of
faith, though predicted, was not actually revealed. Consequently faith
is not brought to the fore in the Old Testament as it is in the New.
But it is true at all times that the soul returning in repentance
finds mercy, and the offer here is not only of mercy but of pardon in
abundant measure. As the margin tells us the Hebrew is that He will
"multiply to pardon." Such is the freeness and the fulness of the
Divine mercy to the truly repentant.
Now all this is not according to the thoughts and the ways of men,
as was well known to God. Hence what we have in verses 8 and 9. Indeed
the whole of this magnificent prophecy concerning the death and
resurrection of Christ, and the glorious results flowing therefrom, is totally
opposed to human thoughts and ways. Christ, when He came, had nothing
about Him that appealed to human thoughts and ways, as is stated in the
opening verses of chapter 53, and what was true in Him personally is
equally true of all God's ways and of His thoughts expressed in those
ways.
But fallen man, alas! is self-centred, and prefers his own thoughts
and ways to God's, ignorant of the awful gulf that lies between them,
represented as the difference between the height of the heavens and of
the earth. In these days of giant telescopes, which reveal the
unimaginable height of the heavens contrasted with our little earth, we
can perhaps better realize the force of this. God's thoughts are
revealed in His purposes, with which His ways are consistent, and now
that they have come to light in connection with the Gospel, they form a
lesson book for angels, as is shown in 1 Peter 1: 12.
Moreover, besides the thoughts and ways of God there is His word,
bywhich He signifies what His thoughts and ways are. Verse 10 assures
us of its beneficent effect. Just as the rain descending from heaven
brings with it life and fertility in nature, making man's labour to be
fruitful for his good, so the word of God acts in a spiritual way.
Received into the heart it is fruitful in life and blessing; and not only that, but is full of power, never
failing in the effect that God intends whether in grace or in judgment.
This was exemplified in the Lord Jesus Himself. No word of His ever
fell fruitless to the ground, for He was the Living Word. It is equally
true of the written word of God. It is said of the blessed man of Psalm
1, that, "In His law doth He meditate day and night." Happy are we, now
that we have "the word of His grace" (Acts 20: 32), as well as the word
of His law, if we do so likewise.
God's coming grace to Israel is in view here, as the two verses that
close our chapter show. The peace that had been announced in the
previous chapter, should without fail be theirs, and joy also. Creation
too will rejoice when the millennial day is reached. It is guaranteed
here by the unfailing word of God, and when we turn to such a scripture
as Romans 8, we are told how creation will be delivered from the
bondage produced by the sin of man, and brought into the liberty of the
glory of the sons of God, and we are carried beyond that which will be
true for Israel into the largeness of the thoughts of God for the whole
creation.
Thus all through the wonderful passage that has been before us we
can note that what the prophets stated in germinal form comes into full
revelation when, Christ having come and died and risen again and
ascended to glory, the Holy Spirit was given to take of the things of
Christ and show them unto us. May we have hearts that receive them and
appreciate their unique value.