1. Celebrating the Servant-Savior
The Gospel of Isaiah
Jason S. DeRouchie, PhD
Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology
Bethlehem College & Seminary
Bethlehem Baptist Church, 2017

2. I. YHWH’s Declaration that the Servant Will Bring Justice (42:1–4)
Introduction (42:1abc)
“Behold” (“you,” 41:24; “they,” 41:29)
“My servant” (41:8)
The nation (41:8; 42:18–19; etc.)
The royal representative (42:1; cf. 49:3; 50:10; 52:13)

3. “My Spirit … bring forth justice”
Isa 11:2–4. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Isa 61:1. The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.

4. The Servant’s Bringing Justice for the Nations (42:1d–42:3b)
Contrast earthly rulers like Cyrus (41:2, 25)
Not self-advancing or assertive (42:1d)
Not dismissive or abusive (42:3ab)
Matt 12:18–21. Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; 20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; 21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.”
The Servant’s Bringing Justice by Faithfulness (42:3c–4; cf. Matt 28:20)

5. II. YHWH’s Confirmation of the Servant’s Ministry (42:5–9)
Introduction by the Lord of Creation (42:5)
YHWH’s Commitment to the Servant and His Ministry (42:6–7)
“Covenant” (see 49:8–9; cf. Luke 22:20; Heb 9:15)
Heb 9:15. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

6. “Light to the nations” (see Isa 49:6; Luke 2:30– 32; Acts 26:22–23)
Isa 49:6. It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.
Luke 2:30–32. My eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.
Acts 26:22–23.  I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.

7. YHWH’s Commitment to His Own Name and Purpose (42:8–9)
God is jealous for his name (Exod 34:14)
God has promised the display of his glory (Isa 11:9; 40:5)
“New things” declared (Isa 41:22; 43:16–21; 65:17–18)

8. The Servant’s Ministry and YHWH’s Purpose in Isaiah 42
The Servant’s ministry and YHWH’s purpose are closely tied:
Servant
YHWH
1. Influencing the coastlands
v. 4
vv. 10, 12

9. The Servant’s Ministry and YHWH’s Purpose in Isaiah 42
The Servant’s ministry and YHWH’s purpose are closely tied:
Servant
YHWH
1. Influencing the coastlands
v. 4
vv. 10, 12
2. Leading the blind, serving as a guide
vv. 4, 7
v. 16

10. The Servant’s Ministry and YHWH’s Purpose in Isaiah 42
The Servant’s ministry and YHWH’s purpose are closely tied:
Servant
YHWH
1. Influencing the coastlands
v. 4
vv. 10, 12
2. Leading the blind, serving as a guide
vv. 4, 7
v. 16
3. Bringing light where there was once darkness
v. 6

11. The Servant’s Ministry and YHWH’s Purpose in Isaiah 42
The Servant’s ministry and YHWH’s purpose are closely tied:
Servant
YHWH
1. Influencing the coastlands
v. 4
vv. 10, 12
2. Leading the blind, serving as a guide
vv. 4, 7
v. 16
3. Bringing light where there was once darkness
v. 6
4. Overcoming idolatry
v. 8
v. 17

12. The Servant’s Ministry and YHWH’s Purpose in Isaiah 42
The Servant’s ministry and YHWH’s purpose are closely tied:
Servant
YHWH
1. Influencing the coastlands
v. 4
vv. 10, 12
2. Leading the blind, serving as a guide
vv. 4, 7
v. 16
3. Bringing light where there was once darkness
v. 6
4. Overcoming idolatry
v. 8
v. 17
** YHWH’s undergoing birth-pangs
52:12–53:13
v. 14