ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Isaiah 42

Isa. 42:1–9 This is the first of four Servant Songs, fulfilled in Jesus Christ (see also 49:1–13; 50:4–9; 52:13–53:12). Isaiah sprinkles references to “the servant of the Lord” throughout chs. 40–55. Often it is a title for the people as a whole (41:8–9; 42:19; 43:10; 44:1–2; 21; 26; 45:4; 48:20), but at times the servant is a specific person within Israel who is distinct from the whole, with a calling to serve Israel and beyond (49:5–6; 50:10; 52:13; 53:11). The second Servant Song (49:1–13), which clarifies that the servant is distinct from Israel, also calls him Israel (49:3). In these cases, the servant stands as a representative of the whole people. This shows why it is correct to believe that the servant is a messianic figure. First, in the Davidic covenant, David’s heirs represent and embody the people as a whole. Israel is God’s “son” (Ex. 4:22–23), and the king becomes God’s “son” (2 Sam. 7:14; see Ps. 89:26–27). Therefore the “servant” here in Isaiah follows the pattern of David’s heirs. Second, the servant expands his rule throughout the Gentile world (Isa. 42:1–4; 52:13–15), which is the work of the Davidic Messiah in chs. 7–12. Third, later prophets describe an heir of David, and especially the Messiah, as the “servant” (Ezek. 34:23–24; 37:25; Zech. 3:8). In addition to his royal function, the servant also has a prophetic role (Isa. 49:1; 50:4; 10) and a priestly one (53:11; compare Ps. 110:4). God will restore the exiles and then fulfill the mission of Israel by means of the servant, whom he will raise up at some unspecified time.

Isa. 42:1 Behold my servant. In contrast to the idols (“Behold, you,” 41:24) and the idol-worshiping nations (“Behold, they,” 41:29), God presents his servant as the only hope of the nations (cited in Matt. 12:18–21). My Spirit is the servant’s power, in contrast with the “empty wind” of Isa. 41:29 (see 11:2; 61:1). justice. The key word in 42:1–4. In the Bible, justice means fulfilling mutual obligations in a manner consistent with God’s moral law. Biblical justice creates the perfect human society (see 1:17; 16:5; 32:1–2; 61:8). The messianic servant is the only hope for a truly just world. This Messiah will bring individual spiritual forgiveness and health (see 1:18) and will establish perfect justice throughout all earthly governments.

Isa. 42:6–7 The servant is a covenant for the people (see 49:8), that is, he represents the people in God’s covenant. He will become a light for the nations (see 49:6), bringing the knowledge of God to them; this probably lies behind Jesus’ saying in John 8:12. to open the eyes . . . to bring out. Liberation from Babylonian exile provides an image for spiritual liberation.

Isa. 42:10–17 God calls all the nations to rejoice in his triumphant self-vindication.

Isa. 42:16 God’s ways are so far beyond human understanding that those he delivers might as well be blind, in darkness and on rough terrain, but God leads them through (see Ex. 13:21–22).

Isa. 42:18–43:21 God promises to help his confused people understand that he is their only Savior.

Isa. 42:18–19 In vv. 1–4, the servant of the Lord is the Savior of the world; here, the servant is Jacob/Israel (see 41:8–10; 42:24; see note on 42:1–9).