Christ in the Old Testament

Isaiah 49:3

He said to me, “You are my servant,
    Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” (NIV)

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7

Isaiah 49 has told us that the Servant is being sent to earth as a human, born of a woman, on a specific mission armed with the Holy Spirit. He was hidden in the shadow of God’s hand until the fullness of time had come for him to arrive. Isaiah now tells us that God will be glorified in the Messiah (vs. 3).

The NIV translates verse 3 as “In whom I will display my splendor.” However, the NKJV translates this verse as “In whom I will be glorified.” The Hebrew word is pā’ar used here for “splendor” or “glorified.” This verb expresses the idea of God glorifying Himself or displaying His splendor through His people. Interestingly enough, this verb is derived from the Hebrew noun p’orah which means the branch of a tree – especially the thick, over-arching limb that provides shelter in its shade.

In other words, the Messiah will display God’s glory which looks like the branch of a thick-leaved tree providing shade from the heat of the sun. In spiritual terms, the Messiah will be a servant fulfilling the mission of God by saving his people from the judgment of God. Jesus accomplished this task:

• “‘Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour”? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and will glorify it again’” (John 12:27-28).
• “Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once’” (John 13:31-32).
• “After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began’” (John 17:1-5).

But why does God call his servant “Israel?” This is clearly the Messiah that is being described in this chapter of Isaiah. God is not calling the nation of Israel to bring him this glory. He is calling Jesus for this purpose.

The Jewish nation was called for this purpose too. God called Israel to glorify Him and be a light to the Gentiles, but they failed in their mission. Much like the blood of animals failed to completely wash away sin, Israel was not able to live up to God’s standard. This is why the Messiah is called “Israel” here. Jesus accomplished what Israel failed to do.

The Messiah is called God’s servant. Israel was God’s blind and deaf servant (Isa 42:18-22). So God called on Jesus to be His righteous Servant. He would do the will of the Father and bring glory to Him by bringing light to the world. He is the perfect Servant – giving himself up for the glory of the Father.

We are called to be servants of God. Every letter in the New Testament is signed by the author as “a servant of Jesus Christ.” Paul, James, Peter, Jude and John all signed their letters describing themselves as servants. Paul wrote, “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed” (1 Cor 4:1).

And as we have covered many times before, this is also our purpose – to bring glory to God. Paul instructs us, “”So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). This is our ultimate purpose. Not our will but His will be done – to the glory of God.

Today’s Prayer: Thank you Jesus for demonstrating perfect obedience and becoming the righteous Servant. Help me today to be a servant of Christ in all that I say and do.