The Servant Songs

Behold my servant, whom I uphold,

my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

I have put my Spirit upon him;

he will bring forth justice to the nations.

Isaiah 42:1

There are four “Servant Songs” in the book of Isaiah. All of them are Messianic. All of them are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In this first one (Isaiah 42:1-9), Jesus is the One Who brings justice to all the peoples of the earth (Isaiah 42:1, 3, 4). He will faithfully support those battered and abused (Isaiah 42:3). He will bring sight to the blind and release prisoners bound in dark dungeons (Isaiah 42:7). This will release a totally new work of God’s grace upon humanity (Isaiah 42:9).

The first song shows the Servant in whom God delights (Isaiah 42:1). The Father is well-pleased with the work of His Servant Son, a fact testified to in several gospel accounts.

The second song shows the Servant in His success (Isaiah 49:1-13). This is Jesus in His redeeming work both for Israel and the Gentiles. In Christ, Israel and the Gentiles are brought together as one (Ephesians 2:11-18).

The third song (Isaiah 50:4-11) contrasts an obedient Servant with a sinful people. It sees both a persecuted and a vindicated Messiah. Jesus is this suffering Servant, obedient to death on a cross (Philippians 2:8).

The final servant song is the most dramatic, epically describing Jesus in all His suffering and eventual triumph (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). The violent descriptions fit perfectly with the gospel narratives of Jesus’ scourging and crucifixion. And the victory of this song is known forever in the resurrection of our Lord. There are at least eight specific fulfillments of the final Servant Song shown in the New Testament as literally known in Jesus.

The Servant is our Savior, our suffering Servant, our victorious Servant, our conquering King, and the only hope for God’s rule over all the people of all the earth!