The Messiah is coming─the spirit of the LORD is on him─he is anointed to preach good tidings, fix peoples broken hearts, release captives and open prison doors. He will not arrive with a gaudy parade or vocal demonstration. He will not turn down people who are crushed and hurting. He will restore the relationship with God by the cross. All of this is by the creator of the heavens. The one who provides all that is vital to life, God assures the Messiah that he will hold his right hand and make him a covenant to the Gentile world. He will open the eyes of the blind and the doors of the prison of unbelief.
This chapter sets us up for future prophesy. God claims he knows everything from the beginning to the end and when he reveals the newest prophecy all of the mountains and islands will join in praising him. First he tells us of some of the amazing things he will do in nature and tells us the end result of idols. He reveals that the exiles are to be let out of their prison houses. The main part of the prophecy is reserved for chapter 45.
Uncovering the Chosen Servant: Light and Deliverer of the Blind
Isaiah 42:1
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
My servant, the Messiah, the one I have chosen─he is my heart’s delight. I have bestowed upon him my spirit─justice will shine through him to the Gentiles.
Cross References
- Mat 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
- Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Isaiah 42:2
He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
He will not scream nor cause a street demonstration. No loud speeches or gaudy parades.
Cross References
- Mat 12:16-20 And charged them that they should not make him known: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet... He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets...
- Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Isaiah 42:3
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
A bruised reed is a picture of a person who has a crushed spirit─living in heaviness and hurting on the inside. Smoking flax is a person who is about to give up─little or no hope left in him. The Messiah came to bring forth judgment and set things right.
Cross References
- Isa 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...
- Mat 12:20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
Isaiah 42:4
He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
He won’t give up─tire out─or quit. He will restore man’s relationship with God and the whole world will wait for his law.
Cross References
- Joh 17:4-5 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do...
- Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...
- Zec 2:11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day...
Isaiah 42:5
Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
This is our God─creator of heavens─stretched them out till no man can tell how far they reach─spread out the earth with its vegetation─gives us the vital air we breathe and spirit to those who live.
Cross References
- Isa 45:12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens...
- Isa 45:18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it...
- Psa 24:1-2 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof...
- Act 17:25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands... seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Isaiah 42:6
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
I am God and I have a firm hold on your right hand. You will be my covenant and light to the Gentile world.
Cross References
- Jer 23:5-6 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch... and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
- Rom 3:25-26 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood...
- Act 26:23 That Christ should suffer... and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
Isaiah 42:7
To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Literally Jesus opened eyes and from a figurative standpoint we were in darkness and in a prison of unbelief till Jesus set us free.
Cross References
- Joh 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
- Read: Isa 42:22; Isa 61:1; 1Pe 2:9
Isaiah 42:8
I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
God says that he is LORD and that it is his name, therefore we call upon the Lord for help. He further informs us that he will not tolerate giving his praise to graven images.
Cross References
- Exo 20:3-5 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image... for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God...
Isaiah 42:9
Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Only God can tell things in advance. All of his former predictions have come true, so now he is going to tell the future before it becomes history. God is able to tell the end from the beginning.
Cross References
- Gen 15:12-16 ...And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs... But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again...
- Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done...
- 2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Isaiah 42:10
Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
Heaven and earth is invited to join in a new song of praise for what is about to be announced.
Cross References
- Isa 44:23 Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it...
- Psa 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
- Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book...
Isaiah 42:11
Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
From the villages of Kedar to the city of Sela to the highest mountain let the shout of joy be known.
Cross References
- Isa 60:7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee...
Isaiah 42:12
Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
All are giving glory to the LORD for his promised performance, even the islands are praising him.
Cross References
- Isa 66:19 ...and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations... to the isles afar off... and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
Isaiah 42:13
The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
God is not going forth as a weakling but as a warrior taking charge of the situation. He will pounce on the enemy with a cry and a roar.
Cross References
- Isa 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun...
- Zep 1:18 ...but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy...
Isaiah 42:14
I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
God is going to turn loose his wrath of destruction on Babylon. He had held back for 70 years and now like a woman having a baby he will cry out for vengeance.
Cross References
- Jer 44:22 So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings...
- 2Pe 3:9-10 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise... But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night...
Isaiah 42:15
I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
I will lay waste mountains and hills─he will dry up the green herbage, he will dry up rivers and lakes and turn some into marsh land.
Cross References
- Isa 44:27 That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
- Isa 50:2 ...behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness...
- Nah 1:4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers...
Isaiah 42:16
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
This people was declared blind in the first chapter of Isaiah─now he is going to take blind Israel out of their captivity along a path that they have never known.
Cross References
- Jer 31:8-9 Behold, I will bring them from the north country... and with them the blind and the lame...
- Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Isaiah 42:17
They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
Those who trust in idols will be blushing with shame when they see this prophecy fulfilled.
Cross References
- Jer 31:8-9 ...They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them...
Isaiah 42:18
Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
They were blind and deaf toward God, they couldn’t see and wouldn’t listen.
Cross References
- Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened...
- Exo 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf...
- Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire... and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Isaiah 42:19
Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD's servant?
Israel was blind as a bat and their spiritual radar was turned off.
Cross References
- Isa 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
- Isa 56:10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs...
- Mar 8:17 ...perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
Isaiah 42:20
Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
Physically they could see─they had 20/20 vision but they couldn’t see or hear or remember.
Cross References
- Mar 8:18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
Isaiah 42:21
The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
The LORD has magnified his law, and through it has shown his righteousness.
Cross References
- Psa 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
- Mat 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.
- Rom 8:3-4 ...That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Isaiah 42:22
But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
This people was like a bunch of chickens stuck in a chicken coup or like a prisoner hid in the cellar. No one paid any attention and let the thugs do as they pleased.
Cross References
- Isa 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison...
- Jer 52:31 ...Evilmerodach king of Babylon... brought him forth out of prison,
- Read: Deu 28:29
Isaiah 42:23
Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
Even though their whole world was collapsing around them they didn’t get it. While all this decay was taking place they would not hear the voice of God through the prophets.
Cross References
- Isa 48:18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river...
- Read: Isa 1:18-19
Isaiah 42:24
Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
We know that God gave Israel to the plunderers. They refused to walk in God’s ways so they left him no choice. He had to keep his word.
Cross References
- Isa 47:6 I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand...
- Read: Lev 26:40-42
Isaiah 42:25
Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.
Read the book of Lamentations and weep. God appointed over them terror, consumption, eye diseases and sorrow of heart. They would flee when none pursued. They were punished seven times for their sins.
Cross References
- Lev 26:15-18 ...I will even appoint over you terror, consumption... And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.