Isaiah 50:4 - Meaning and Application

Our Lord Jesus, after showing that he is able to save, here shows that he is just as willing to save. We may think that Isaiah is speaking partly about himself in these verses, encouraging himself to keep going in his prophetic work despite the hardships he faced, trusting that God would help and strengthen him. But, like David, Isaiah also speaks as a type of Christ, pointing forward to the Savior who is promised here.

I. As an acceptable preacher. Isaiah, as a prophet, was fitted for the work God called him to, and so were the other prophets and messengers God used. But Christ was anointed with the Spirit in a fuller way than anyone else. To make the man of God complete, he has the tongue of the learned, so he knows how to teach and how to speak a fitting word to the weary (Isaiah 50:4). God, who made the human mouth, gave Moses the tongue of the learned so he could speak to Pharaoh with power and conviction (Exodus 4:11-12). He gave Christ the tongue of the learned so he could speak a word in season for those who are weary and burdened with sin (Matthew 11:28).

Grace was poured into Christ’s lips, and his words are like sweet-smelling myrrh. This shows what is best in a minister’s learning, namely, knowing how to comfort troubled consciences and how to speak clearly, wisely, and directly to the needs of hurting souls. That ability is God’s gift, and it is one of the best gifts we should desire eagerly. We should rest in the many comforting words Christ has spoken to the weary.

He also has the ear of the learned, so he receives instruction. Prophets need this as much as the tongue of the learned, because they must pass on only what they have been taught. They must listen carefully to God’s word so they can speak it exactly (Ezekiel 3:17). Christ himself received, so that he might give. No one should try to teach others who has not first been a learner. Christ’s apostles were first disciples, scribes trained for the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:52).

It is not enough to hear, we must hear as the learned, with understanding, memory, and a teachable heart. Those who hear this way must stay awake, because we are naturally dull and sleepy, and often hear only part of what is said. Our ears need to be opened. We need words that wake us from spiritual sleep so we can hear as if our lives depended on it. We need to be awakened morning by morning, as each new day comes, so we can do that day’s work in its time. Our condition calls for fresh supplies of divine grace every day, because we quickly grow dull.

Morning, when our minds are freshest, is a proper time for fellowship with God. Then we are best prepared both to speak to him, “in the morning you will hear my voice,” and to hear from him. People came early in the morning to hear Christ in the temple (Luke 21:38), so it seems his teaching was often given in the morning. It is God who wakes us morning by morning. If we do anything useful in his service, it is because he, as our Master, calls us up. We would keep sleeping if he did not wake us each morning.

II. As a patient sufferer (Isaiah 50:5-6). One might think that someone sent and fitted to speak comfort to the weary would meet only welcome and no trouble at all. But it was not so. He had hard work to do and hard treatment to endure, and here he tells us how steadily he went through it. We have no reason to doubt that Isaiah went on faithfully in the work God gave him, even though we do not read of him suffering exactly these things. But we can be sure that this prophecy was fully fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

First, we see his patient obedience in his work. “The Lord God has not only wakened my ear to hear what he says, but has opened it so that I receive and obey it” (Psalm 40:6-7). When he says, “I was not rebellious, neither turned away back,” much more is implied. He was willing, even though he saw in advance much difficulty and discouragement. He knew he would have to labor hard and serve constantly like a servant. He would have to empty himself of great honor and humble himself to a very low place, yet he did not pull back, fail, or lose heart. He stayed ready and willing to do his work, even when he came to its hardest part. A right understanding of God’s truth, and a willing heart for God’s service, both come from God’s grace.

Second, we see his obedient patience in suffering. It is called obedient patience because he endured with his Father’s will in view. He said to himself, in effect, “This command I have received from my Father,” and he submitted to God, “Not as I will, but as you will.” In that submission he gave himself up, first to be scourged: “I gave my back to those who struck me.” He did not just bear the shame after being struck, but allowed the suffering as one of the pains and humiliations he willingly took on for us. He also gave his cheeks to those who struck him and pulled out his beard, which added both pain and disgrace.

He also gave himself to be spat on: “I did not hide my face from shame and spitting.” He could have hidden his face, he could have avoided it, but he would not. He was made a reproach among men, and in this he answered to the pattern of Job, that man of sorrows, who was struck on the cheek in contempt (Job 16:10). That kind of act showed not only scorn, but also disgust and anger. Christ endured all this for us, and he did it willingly, to prove that he was ready to save us.

III. As a courageous champion (Isaiah 50:7-9). The Redeemer is as well known for boldness as for humility and patience. Though he yields, he is still more than a conqueror. We see, first, how completely he depends on God. What supported Isaiah is what supported Christ himself: “The Lord God will help me,” and again, “He is near who justifies me” (verse 7, verse 8). Those whom God appoints for his work, he will also help. He will see that they do not lack any help their work requires. God placed help upon his Son for our sake, gave him help, and kept his hand with the man of his right hand all the way through. He will also support him in his work and accept him.

Isaiah was no doubt falsely accused and covered with insults and lies, as other prophets were. Yet he treated the shame as nothing, knowing that God would roll it away and bring out his righteousness like the light, perhaps even in this world (Psalm 37:6), and surely at the great day, when names as well as bodies will be raised, and the righteous will shine like the morning sun.

This was fulfilled in Christ. By his resurrection, he was shown not to be what people said he was, not a blasphemer, not a deceiver, and not an enemy of Caesar. The judge who condemned him said he found no fault in him, and the centurion, the officer in charge of the execution, said he was a righteous man. So close was that to his being vindicated. But this was true of Christ in a deeper and more special way. The Father vindicated him when he accepted the payment he made for human sin and appointed him as our righteousness, the one who was made sin for us. He was also vindicated in the Spirit (1 Timothy 3:16). His vindication came soon after his condemnation and crucifixion, for he was quickly glorified (John 13:32).

From that came his confidence that his work would succeed: “If God will help me, if he will vindicate me and stand by me, I will not be put to shame.” Those who come short of their goal and the comfort they promised themselves are ashamed. Christ, though his enemies did everything they could to shame him, held his ground, kept his composure, and was not ashamed of the work he had taken on. Work done for God is work we should not be ashamed of, and trust in God is trust that will not end in shame. Those who look to God for help will not be let down. They know whom they have trusted, so they know they will not be put to shame.

In that confidence, he boldly faced all opponents. “God will help me, and so I have set my face like flint.” The prophet did this when he boldly rebuked sin, warned sinners (Ezekiel 3:8-9), and declared his prophecies as true. Christ did this too. As Mediator, the one who stands between God and people, he kept on his work with firm resolve and fearless courage. He did not fail or lose heart. He then challenged every opponent. Who would argue his case, either in court or by force? Let them stand up against him as enemies or as accusers. Who is my adversary? Who is the master of my case? In other words, who will try to bring a case against me? Let him come forward, because I will not hide.

Many tried to argue with Christ, but he silenced them. The prophet says this in the name of faithful ministers. Those who stick closely to God’s pure word when they speak do not need to fear contradiction. Scripture will support them, no matter who argues with them. The truth is great, and it will win out. Christ also speaks this in the name of all believers, as their champion. Who dares to be an enemy of those he is a friend to, or argue against those for whom he speaks as advocate? Paul uses the same thought in Romans 8:33: Who will bring any charge against God’s chosen people?

Christ also challenges them to prove any sin against him, “Who is he that shall condemn me?” The prophet may have been sentenced to death, and Christ certainly was. Yet both could say, Who can condemn me? There is no condemnation for those whom God justifies. There were people who condemned them, but what became of those judges? They will all grow old like a garment. Christ’s righteous cause, and the cause of his prophets, will outlast all opposition. The moth will quietly eat them away, and a little thing will destroy them. Even the roaring lion will not succeed against God’s witnesses. All believers are given this same boldness: Who is he that shall condemn? It is Christ who died.