Isaiah 50

Thus says the LORD: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce, with which I sent her away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.

Why, when I came, was there no man; why, when I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Behold, by my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a desert; their fish stink for lack of water and die of thirst.

I clothe the heavens with blackness and make sackcloth their covering.”

The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.

The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward.

I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.

But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.

Behold, the Lord GOD helps me; who will declare me guilty? Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.

Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment.

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Isaiah 50

The third Servant Song depicts the servant's willingness to endure opposition and physical violence for the sake of proclaiming God's word, submitting His back to those who beat Him and His cheeks to those who pluck out His beard. The oracle emphasizes the servant's trust that God will vindicate Him and that He will not be put to shame because the Lord helps Him. The passage includes the servant's call to those who walk in darkness and have no light to trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon their God, establishing the servant's role as a guide for the faithless. The oracle promises that the Lord's arm will not be shortened and that His word will accomplish its purpose, establishing God's power and the reliability of God's proclamation. The vision includes the promise that the servants of the Lord will be vindicated and that those who oppose them will be consumed, establishing that ultimate vindication belongs to those faithful to God's purposes. Isaiah 50 demonstrates that the servant's vocation includes suffering and opposition yet that faithful trust in God produces ultimate vindication. The chapter establishes the theology of the suffering servant who perseveres in God's purposes despite encountering bitter opposition.

Isaiah 50:1

The rhetorical question—'Thus says Yahweh: Where is the bill of your mother's divorce, whom I have sent away? Or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? No, because of your sins you were sold, and because of your transgressions your mother was sent away'—rejects the idea that God permanently abandoned Israel. The reference to divorce and sale suggests that exile appears permanent, yet God affirms it is not. The assertion that Israel was sold because of sin suggests that exile resulted from covenantal infidelity rather than God's failure. This verse addresses Israel's fear that divorce from God is final.

Isaiah 50:2

The question about God's power—'Why, when I came, was there no one? When I called, was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?'—questions whether God's silence indicates inability or unwillingness. The rhetorical questions suggest that apparent absence does not indicate actual powerlessness. The reference to shortened hand echoes biblical language about divine power. This verse reassures Israel that God's apparent distance masks continued power.

Isaiah 50:3

The assertion of divine power—'I clothe the heavens with blackness, and make sackcloth their covering'—affirms that God commands cosmic forces and can darken creation. The image of heaven clothed in darkness and sackcloth suggests divine mourning or judgment. The assertion of power over creation establishes that if God can command cosmos, surely God can command history. This verse uses nature imagery to assert the cosmic dimension of divine power.

Isaiah 50:4

The opening of the third Servant Song—'The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens—wakens my ear to listen like those who are taught'—presents a servant whose calling involves teaching and prophecy. The emphasis on morning awakening suggests constant renewal and attentiveness to God. The focus on sustaining the weary suggests compassion toward those exhausted by suffering. This verse emphasizes that the servant's power lies in God-given words rather than physical might.

Isaiah 50

Isaiah 50:5

Isaiah 50:6

Isaiah 50:7

Isaiah 50:8

Isaiah 50:9

Isaiah 50:10

Isaiah 50:11