Larry Helyer [book Yesterday, Today and Forever] does a fine job of summarizing the characteristics and accomplishments of Isaiah’s Servant. Beginning with the first Servant Song in chapter 42, Helyer makes the following observations of the Servant:
1. He is elected by the Lord, anointed by the Spirit, and promised success in His endeavour (42:1, 4)
2. Justice is a prime concern of his ministry (42:1, 4)
3. His ministry has an international scope (42:1, 6)
4. God predestined him to his calling (49:1)
5. He is a gifted teacher (49:2)
6. He experiences discouragement in his ministry (49:4)
7. His ministry extends to the Gentiles (49:6)
8. The Servant encounters strong opposition and resistance to his teaching, even of a physically violent nature (50:4-6)
9. He is determined to finish what God called him to do (50:7)
10. The Servant has humble origins with little outward prospects for success (53:1-2)
11. He experiences suffering and affliction (53:3)
12. The Servant accepts vicarious and substitutionary suffering on behalf of his people (53:4-6, 12)
13. He is put to death after being condemned (53:7-9)
14. Incredibly, he comes back to life and is exalted above all rulers (53:10-12; 52:13-15).3
You can add one more to Helyer’s observations - that the servant is also sinless (53:9).
WHO IS JESUS - GOD OR JUST A MORAL TEACHER
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