Isaiah 50:7
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame. (NIV)
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 50:1-11
The Suffering Servant just described with detailed examples of how he would suffer at the hands of men. He now explains how he was able to endure without turning away from his mission. For the third time, he credits the Sovereign Lord who provided for him in his time of need.
The word translated as “disgraced” is the Hebrew word kālam which describes the experience of humiliation. The idea is that someone who experiences kālam loses their honor before God and people. Although Jesus would be mocked and spat on, he would not be humiliated before God. He was suffering not because he was guilty but because of his innocence. His standing in heaven is still the Son of God through who all things were created.
Because the Sovereign Lord helps the Messiah and keeps him from disgrace, he will set his face like flint. Flint is a form of quartz rock and is a very hard stone. It was often used to make sharp tools and weapons. In the Bible, flint is used to symbolize strength or determination. Interestingly, it was a flint rock that was used by God in the miracle of Moses bringing water from the rock (Deut 8:15).
When God was preparing Ezekiel for ministry, He explained to Ezekiel that he was being sent to the people of Israel as opposed to some foreign land who might actually listen to him. God told Ezekiel that the people of Israel would not listen to him because they had hardened their hearts towards God. But God wanted him to stay the course and not be afraid of them. God said that he would make Ezekiel’s forehead “like the hardest stone, harder than flint” (Ezek 3:9).
The Messiah is ultimately referring to his crucifixion is Isaiah 50:7. For Jesus to set his face like flint, he is indicating that he will have the courage to stay the course and complete his mission. There is a type of courage that is required in the moment and then there is the type of courage that is planned. We see the difficulty that lies ahead and we walk into it anyway. Jesus had this type of courage to see the cross before him and set his face like flint to hang on it.
Jesus had just predicted his death a second time to his disciples. They didn’t understand what he was talking about and they began arguing amongst themselves who would be the greatest when Jesus took his throne. But Jesus knew the road that lied ahead led to a cross and not an earthly throne. Luke then observed of Jesus, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).
Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem because he was listening to his Father God and not to men. It was the Sovereign Lord who would help him and keep him from being put to shame. The NKJV says, “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). Jesus was determined. Knowing what was in front of him, he set out for Jerusalem.
We would do well to be like Jesus. We know the end of the story too. We will not be shamed if we follow Jesus and listen to his voice. The world will try to shame and disgrace us. But we should set our face like flint to follow Jesus.
Jesus called himself the good shepherd and his followers his sheep. He said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep… My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:11, 27-28).
This reminds me of the chorus of a popular song by Casting Crowns that came out a couple of decades ago:
“The Voice of Truth tells me a different story. The Voice of Truth says do not be afraid. The Voice of Truth says this is for my glory. Out of all the voices calling out to me. I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.”
Christ in the Old Testament 
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