Isaiah 50:4
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. (NIV)
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 50:1-11
In verse 4, we come across the word ʽût which the NIV translates as “sustains.” This word only occurs this one time in all of the Old Testament. It’s a verb that expresses a sense of revival or restoring strength to someone. The Servant’s word delivers restoration to the exhausted. Jesus relieves suffering simply by speaking life.
The NKJV translates this sentence saying, “That I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.” Jesus came for the weary. He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). Those who are tired of maintaining their lies and are trapped by the sin that has entangled them, Jesus provides relief. He allows us to live in total freedom because he removes our sin and simply forgives it.
While we cannot forgive sin, we can speak a word in season to him who is weary just as Jesus did. Paul tells us, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Col 4:5-6).
As disciples of Jesus, our bar is set high. In Colossians, Paul uses words like every, always and everyone. There are no timeouts, no days off. When we interact with non-believers, it’s always an opportunity to give them the words of Jesus. Whether it’s in person or on social media, our conversations are to always be full of grace.
Jesus calls his disciples “the salt of the earth” (Matt 5:13). Our words are to be “full of grace, seasoned with salt” just as Paul says. Salt serves a variety of purposes:
- Salt seasons food
- Salt prevents the spread of corruption (bacteria)
- Salt creates thirst
- Salt brings out the flavor
In essence, Paul is saying make your words taste good to the skeptic. When we speak, outsiders should long for what we have within us. Our words make them thirsty for Jesus. A true disciple of Jesus makes the most of every opportunity to show grace and season it with salt.
Jesus would go on to say, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:16). Jesus always wants us to focus on those who don’t yet know him. Jesus came to minister to those who are worn down by sin and tired of running. He knows how to speak the right word in season to those who are weary. He calls us as his followers to do the same – always to everyone.
Christ in the Old Testament 
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