The Servant's Obedience

Isaiah 50:4-9

Richard Rorty, postmodernist extraordinaire, in his book Achieving Our Country: Leftist Thought in Twentieth-Century America (1998) quotes a stanza of Walt Whitman's (1819-1892) poem Song of Myself (in 52 parts) and then comments on it.

And I call to mankind,
Be not curious about God.
For I who am curious about each
am not curious about God.

Rorty comments: "Whitman thought there was no need to be curious about God because there is no standard, not even a divine one, against which the decisions of a free people can be measured. Americans, [Whitman] hoped, would spend the energy that past human societies had spent on discovering God's desires on discovering one another's desires. ...[there is] no room for obedience to a non-human authority."

"Whitman and Dewey ..wanted to put shared utopian dreams - dreams of an ideally decent and civilized society - in the place of knowledge of God's Will, Moral Law, the Laws of History, or the Facts of Science." Rorty

"...universal moral principles must be eradicated and reverence for individual and cultural uniqueness inculcated." Mental Health, by Algis Valiunas; (review of Going Sane: Maps of Happiness by Adam Phillips); The Weekly Standard, 11/14/05, p.41

"Salvation now lies in the latest psychopharmacology, coupled with talk therapy." Valiunas

Standing in stark contrast to these ideas is the Servant, his full attention focused on the Lord Jehovah. We know he is the Servant since Jesus applied this text to himself when conversing with his disciples: Luk_18:31-32 "we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon."

In giving a portion of his personal testimony here, the Servant describes for us what he received for training to prepare him for ministry, how he was treated at the nadir of his ministry, and his ultimate triumph over his adversaries. As we consider these truths, may it stir us to greater love for Christ and determination to be conformed to his image.

A. His training v.4-5

1. a ready, expert tongue

• the ability to instruct others
• given by the covenant God who sovereignly rules his creation
• the tongue of one instructed and illumined by the Spirit of God
• his words have the weight and authority of God behind them
• abundantly equipped for his prophetic office - so as to speak plainly, convincingly, evangelically

2. tender words for the weary

• words of compassion and hope for those weary of sin: see Mat_11:28-30
  "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
• words for both the believer and the seeker
• Nothing indicates a tongue befitting the disciples of God, so much as the gift of administering consolation; and such a gift is possessed by the speaker here. K&D

3. disciplined life

• an early riser - awakened at dawn
• ready to receive instruction
• open and receptive ears
• for instruction
• for command

4. obedient disposition

• to Mary and Joseph
• to the Law
• to his Father
• without delay or disagreement

B. His treatment v.6

• There are many varieties of "stop global whining" bumper stickers!
• willingly, obediently, meekly, with no spirit of seeking revenge, not as a victim
  1. gave his back to be scourged
  2. gave his cheeks to those who would pluck out his beard
  3. remained steadfast before those who would spit on him
  Summary: Isa_53:3-10
  

4. "volunteered" for the most shameful and degrading treatment imaginable

There is majesty in the description, as though the servant were in full control of the situation. He sets himself forth as one who acts. E. J. Young

I was willing not only to do, but to suffer, the will of God, and the injuries of men. Matthew Poole

• Three times in the Garden - "If it be possible ..., yet not my will but Thine". Mat_26:39-44

C. His triumph v.7-9

my master, the self-existent one

1. is my help

• in the midst of despicable treatment
• that results in success

2. is my strength

• who gives determination to face the ultimate test of faithfulness
  Luk_9:51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,
  

who ensures that "the shame and reproach heaped upon him will only lead to greater glory and honor for him." E. J. Young

3. is my justifier

• NEAR is my justifier - close by, ready to act
• declaring the Servant righteous, innocent, in right relationship to the law
• pronouncement of the sovereign Lord fully vindicates the Servant
• will effectively answer any (false) charges that might be brought against the Servant

4. is my defender

• if God is on my side, who can possibly stand against me?
• all my adversaries will fail
• because of my defender I will prevail

The Servant has set the perfect example of one who can effectively engage the culture, bringing a message of compassion and hope to those who are weary and burdened. Like him we must be prepared, trained in God's school and Word, determined to obey him at all costs, depending on our Lord, the sovereign Creator and Ruler of the universe for our help and strength. The Servant's going before us enables us, gives us courage to follow after in his footprints.

In our interaction with co-workers, friends, and neighbors may we exemplify the qualities prayed for in:

Valley of Vision, Christlikeness