Isa 42:1, 44:1, 49:1-3 | JFB | STEP | 1. my servant —The law of prophetic suggestion leads Isaiah from Cyrus to the far greater Deliverer, behind whom the former is lost sight of. The express quotation in , and the description can apply to Messiah alone ( ; with which compare ). Israel, also, in its highest ideal, is called the "servant" of God ( ). But this ideal is realized only in the antitypical Israel, its representative-man and Head, Messiah (compare ). "Servant" was the position assumed by the Son of God throughout His humiliation. elect —chosen by God before the foundation of the world for an atonement ( ). Redemption was no afterthought to remedy an unforeseen evil ( ). In it is rendered "My beloved"; the only beloved Son, beloved in a sense distinct from all others. Election and the love of God are inseparably joined. soul —a human phrase applied to God, because of the intended union of humanity with the Divinity: "I Myself." delighteth —is well pleased with, and accepts, as a propitiation. God could have "delighted" in no created being as a mediator (compare ). spirit upon him — ( ). judgment —the gospel dispensation, founded on justice, the canon of the divine rule and principle of judgment called "the law" ( ; compare ). The Gospel has a discriminating judicial effect: saving to penitents; condemnatory to Satan, the enemy ( ), and the wilfully impenitent ( ). has, "He shall show, " for "He shall bring forth," or " cause to go forth. " Christ both produced and announced His "judgment." The Hebrew dwells most on His producing it; Matthew on His announcement of it: the two are joined in Him.

Isaiah 42:1

1. my servant—The law of prophetic suggestion leads Isaiah from Cyrus to the far greater Deliverer, behind whom the former is lost sight of. The express quotation in Mt 12:18-20, and the description can apply to Messiah alone (Ps 40:6; with which compare Ex 21:6; Joh 6:38; Php 2:7). Israel, also, in its highest ideal, is called the "servant" of God (Isa 49:3). But this ideal is realized only in the antitypical Israel, its representative-man and Head, Messiah (compare Mt 2:15, with Ho 11:1). "Servant" was the position assumed by the Son of God throughout His humiliation.

elect—chosen by God before the foundation of the world for an atonement (1Pe 1:20; Re 13:8). Redemption was no afterthought to remedy an unforeseen evil (Ro 16:25, 26; Eph 3:9, 11; 2Ti 1:9, 10; Tit 1:2, 3). In Mt 12:18 it is rendered "My beloved"; the only beloved Son, beloved in a sense distinct from all others. Election and the love of God are inseparably joined.

soul—a human phrase applied to God, because of the intended union of humanity with the Divinity: "I Myself."

delighteth—is well pleased with, and accepts, as a propitiation. God could have "delighted" in no created being as a mediator (compare Isa 42:21; 63:5; Mt 3:17).

spirit upon him— (Isa 11:2; 61:1; Lu 4:18; Joh 3:34).

judgment—the gospel dispensation, founded on justice, the canon of the divine rule and principle of judgment called "the law" (Isa 2:3; compare Isa 42:4; 51:4; 49:6). The Gospel has a discriminating judicial effect: saving to penitents; condemnatory to Satan, the enemy (Joh 12:31; 16:11), and the wilfully impenitent (Joh 9:39). Mt 12:18 has, "He shall show," for "He shall bring forth," or "cause to go forth." Christ both produced and announced His "judgment." The Hebrew dwells most on His producing it; Matthew on His announcement of it: the two are joined in Him.

Isaiah 44:1

1-5. Yet—Though thou hast sinned, yet hear God's gracious promise as to thy deliverance.

chosen— (Isa 41:8).

Isaiah 49:1-3

1. O isles—Messiah is here regarded as having been rejected by the Jews (Isa 49:4, 5), and as now turning to the Gentiles, to whom the Father hath given Him "for a light and salvation." "Isles" mean all regions beyond sea.

from the womb— (Isa 44:2; Lu 1:31; Joh 10:36).

from . . . bowels . . . mention of my name—His name "Jesus" (that is, God-Saviour) was designated by God before His birth (Mt 1:21).

2. my mouth . . . sword— (Isa 11:4; Re 19:15). The double office of the Word of God, saving and damnatory, is implied (Isa 50:4; Joh 12:48; Heb 4:12).

shaft— (Ps 45:5). "Polished," that is, free from all rust, implies His unsullied purity.

in . . . quiver . . . hid me—Like a sword in its scabbard, or a shaft in the quiver, Messiah, before His appearing, was hid with God, ready to be drawn forth at the moment God saw fit [HENGSTENBERG]; also always protected by God, as the arrow by the quiver (Isa 51:16).

3. Israel—applied to Messiah, according to the true import of the name, the Prince who had power with God in wrestling in behalf of man, and who prevails (Ge 32:28; Ho 12:3, 4). He is also the ideal Israel, the representative man of the nation (compare Mt 2:15 with Ho 11:1).

in whom . . . glorified— (Joh 14:13; 17:1-5).