Isaiah 42:1-13.  The next few chapters seem to contain several mini messages which Isaiah put together in the book for a purpose.  Each of these mini messages ends with a song of honor to God.  Remember that one of the main reasons for the writing of this book was to make sure people gave honor to God.  The fact that each of these little messages end with praise to God seems to accomplish that main goal.  But each little part also has a point, the point which leads to praising God.  It’s kind of like a sporting event where the coach yells, Nice block!”  “Awesome catch!”  “Nice run!”  We need to see what God is doing in each of theses little sections and honor him for it.

This first section introduces us to a servant of God.  We are not told who he is but we are told what God has him do.  We are also told that he is empowered or in some other way influenced by God’s Spirit.  We see that he will bring about justice on the earth (v. 1).  He will not give up in frustration (the meaning of cry out in the street, v. 2).  I always though verse 3 was talking about the servant not burning our or breaking but some experts believe it is telling us that this servant will not break broken people nor snuff out burned out people, he will give them justice (v. 3).  Interestingly the two words in verse 4 which do describe this servant are the same words as in verse 3 though they are translated differently.  So he will not be broken nor give up until the world is filled with what is right.  Although this is the same book written to those same Jewish people hiding in Jerusalem we learn that even the distant islands will be waiting and expecting this wonderful rule by the servant (v. 4).

In verse 5 we see Yahweh, God, start to talk.  He makes it very clear who he is.  Then he talks to the servant.  We see in the next couple of verses that this servant will do what is right.  He will be cared for by God.  He will be part of a promise to “the people” and help all the nations “see”.  Blindness so far in Isaiah has referred to people not seeing and understanding who God is and what he is doing.  In verse 7 we see that people will understand because of what this servant will do and they will be set free.  God then makes it clear that this is from him.  The way we know God is God is because he is telling us about this servant before he comes.  When all of this stuff takes place we sill know that Yahweh is the one true God (vv. 8-9).  Later in the New Testament we learn that Jesus is this servant.  We will also learn more about the servant in a couple of other readings.

Verses 10-13 tell us how we should react to this news, honor God with a song.  Everyone in the whole earth should be happy about Jesus because it is through him we will be set free.  In Luke 4:18 Jesus opened the book of Isaiah and applied this verse to himself.  Romans 3:23; 6:23 tell us that the freedom Jesus came to give was from the penalty of sin.  And it is also through Jesus that a time of true justice will come to the earth.  That is something to sing about.  Lord help me be patient when there is injustice in the world.  That is the mess we have made.  I know you have a plan to fix it and your plan involves helping the most people possible.  Let me see what you have already done and have faith that you will finish it all.  Thank you for Jeus sthe servant.  Help me be a servant too.

Isaiah 41:21-29.  In yesterday’s reading we saw the invasion by Sennachebib sweeping over the costal nations near Israel (Judah).  The response of those nations was to give their idols a little tune up, polish them up and make sure they were securely nailed to the walls.  In contrast we saw God presented as a strong and active God taking care of his people.  We left the idols nailed to the wall.  Today we return to them to see how they stack up to the real God, Yahweh (LORD).  In verse 22 theses idols are challenged to foretell the future.  They are also challenged to explain the past.  In verse 23 that are challenged to do something, anything, so we can know we should fear them.

Verse 24 tells us that they are nothing and they do nothing and anyone who trusts in them is an abomination or detestable.  Basically it tells us that worshipping something we have made like it is our maker is disgusting, gross, uncool, stupid; pick whatever word you want.

The end of the chapter contrasts God’s actions with the non-actions of the idols.  God brings a crushing force against the people of the area.  The question is did any of the idols warn about this coming invasion.   No they did not.  According to verse 27 God did warn his people on Mount Zion (Jerusalem) but as we saw in the first part of the book they didn’t listen much to Isaiah as he told them over and over again that Assyria would invade but not win.  Verses 28-29 tell us that the idols and false prophets are worthless.

We need to listen when God talks and not look for answers in our own manmade world. The world that God made is useful but should not be worshipped and served.  Purpose comes from God not from the things he has made and our main purpose is to use all that we are and all that he created to honor him.  As we saw in yesterday’s reading this is not some one way relationship (like idol worship necessarily always is).  God gives and gives and gives.  He always is watching and caring about us.  We need to be watching too.  We need to see what he has already said he was going to do and as we see his plan unfold we need to give him credit for being so faithful.  Peter tells us that God is not slow about fulfilling his promises, he takes the right amount of time, but they will be fulfilled.  We need to learn and remember the promises of God and tell the world as they are fulfilled.  To God be the glory and honor.  Lord help me learn and remember your promises.  Help me understand them and understand when they are fulfilled.  Let me share them with others so they too can trust in you.  Help us see you for who you are, the one true creator God.  Help me not honor my own ideas but only you.