Isa 50:4-6 | JFB | STEP | 4. Messiah, as "the servant of Jehovah" ( ), declares that the office has been assigned to Him of encouraging the "weary" exiles of Israel by "words in season" suited to their case; and that, whatever suffering it is to cost Himself, He does not shrink from it ( , ), for that He knows His cause will triumph at last ( , ). learned-- not in mere human learning, but in divinely taught modes of instruction and eloquence ( ; ; , ; ). speak a word in season-- ( ; ). Literally, "to succor by words," namely, in their season of need, the "weary" dispersed ones of Israel ( ). Also, the spiritual "weary" ( ; ). wakeneth morning by morning, &c.-- Compare "daily rising up early" ( ; ). The image is drawn from a master wakening his pupils early for instruction. wakeneth ... ear-- prepares me for receiving His divine instructions. as the learned-- as one taught by Him. He "learned obedience," experimentally, "by the things which He suffered"; thus gaining that practical learning which adapted Him for "speaking a word in season" to suffering men ( ).

‏ Isaiah 50:4-6

4. Messiah, as "the servant of Jehovah" (Is 42:1), declares that the office has been assigned to Him of encouraging the "weary" exiles of Israel by "words in season" suited to their case; and that, whatever suffering it is to cost Himself, He does not shrink from it (Is 50:5, 6), for that He knows His cause will triumph at last (Is 50:7, 8).

learned--not in mere human learning, but in divinely taught modes of instruction and eloquence (Is 49:2; Ex 4:11; Mt 7:28, 29; 13:54).

speak a word in season--(Pr 15:23; 25:11). Literally, "to succor by words," namely, in their season of need, the "weary" dispersed ones of Israel (De 28:65-67). Also, the spiritual "weary" (Is 42:3; Mt 11:28).

wakeneth morning by morning, &c.--Compare "daily rising up early" (Jr 7:25; Mr 1:35). The image is drawn from a master wakening his pupils early for instruction.

wakeneth ... ear--prepares me for receiving His divine instructions.

as the learned--as one taught by Him. He "learned obedience," experimentally, "by the things which He suffered"; thus gaining that practical learning which adapted Him for "speaking a word in season" to suffering men (He 5:8).

5. opened ... ear--(See on Is 42:20; Is 48:8); that is, hath made me obediently attentive (but Maurer, "hath informed me of my duty"), as a servant to his master (compare Psa 40:6-8, with Php 2:7; Is 42:1; 49:3, 6; 52:13; 53:11; Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27).

not rebellious--but, on the contrary, most willing to do the Father's will in proclaiming and procuring salvation for man, at the cost of His own sufferings (He 10:5-10).

6. smiters--with scourges and with the open hand (Is 52:14; Mr 14:65). Literally fulfilled (Mt 27:26; 26:27; Lu 18:33). To "pluck the hair" is the highest insult that can be offered an Oriental (2Sa 10:4; La 3:30). "I gave" implies the voluntary nature of His sufferings; His example corresponds to His precept (Mt 5:39).

spitting--To spit in another's presence is an insult in the East, much more on one; most of all in the face (Job 30:10; Mt 27:30; Lu 18:32).