He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, knowing pain, Like one from whom you turn your face, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. Isaiah 53:3 NABRE
Isaiah 53 is part of several passages known as the Servant Song. It speaks about a suffering servant, proclaiming the value of suffering, in that the servant triumphs through humiliation and suffering. More than that the servant makes the pains and the suffering of others his own, healing and freeing them. The prophet viewed the servant as the nation of Israel. They were a people chosen by God to stand out and be an example for other nations. But throughout their history there was back stepping and failure. Some brought on themselves through their lack of faithfulness to God. Other challenges came at the hands of outside nations, either working unknowingly for the righteousness of God or just creating a difficult environment for the Israelite’s to endure. We see through the history of the Hebrew people their struggles and their failures. Most national histories might only highlight their good. Israel records all their mistakes and failures throughout time. In the end they are a nation that triumphs through the promised Messiah, bringing freedom and healing, not only for Israel but for every person in the world if they choose it.
We can also see the figure of Jesus in this suffering servant. It is a prophecy that can be used as dual purpose. The servant is Israel and the servant is Jesus. In both cases we have an example of suffering endured, humility accepted; for the betterment of those who may not even know healing and freedom is available to them. It demonstrates God’s view that we live for others not for ourselves. When we suffer for others, we bring them goodness.
What do you think of suffering? Do you live for others?
The servant is Israel and the servant is Jesus. In both cases we have an example of suffering endured, humility accepted; for the betterment of those who may not even know healing and freedom is available to them. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity#dailybibleverse @youversion#BeAnEncourager #suffer #heal #Isaiah#everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist#jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion#biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse#verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews#loveeachother #godisgreat #bocaraton#youversion #everythingalways