Christ in the Old Testament

Isaiah 53:8

By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
    Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
    for the transgression of my people he was punished. (NIV)

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 53:7-9

The opening line of verse 8 is translated many different ways:

• “He was taken from prison and from judgment” (KJV)
• “Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away” (NAB)
• “He was led away after an unjust trial” (NET)
• “Forcibly, after sentence, he was taken” (NJB)
• “Unjustly condemned, he was led away.” (NLT)

The Hebrew word ʽōṣer is translated as “oppression” and “prison.” It’s only used three times in the Old Testament so that is partly why there is so many differences in the translations. The other two times we see this word are:

“Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled
    by oppression (ʽōṣer), calamity and sorrow” (Ps 107:39).

“There are three things that are never satisfied,
    four that never say, ‘Enough!’:
the grave, the barren (ʽōṣer) womb,
    land, which is never satisfied with water,
    and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’” (Prov 30:16).

The other actor in this verse is the Hebrew word mišpāṭ which refers to a judicial verdict. In the case of the trial of Jesus, it was unjust judgment. These two words weave together the sense of an unfair trial that resulted in Jesus being taken away to a barren place like a prison.

And then the future Jewish remnant asks, “Yet who of his generation protested?” The NET version says, “But who even cared?” This is an amazing prophecy because there was a Jewish custom when a death sentence was issued that required there be a 40 day period of time after the verdict for people to come forward and speak on behalf of the innocent of the accused.

Isaiah’s prophecy is saying that no one would step forward and defend the Messiah. And we know this is exactly what happened. There was no 40 day waiting period. In fact, the Sanhedrin went back in and cooked the books (Jewish Talmud) and said that they did wait 40 days yet no one came forward to defend him. The Jews violated their own rules and lied about it. It is amazingly true that no one defended Jesus and it was written by Isaiah (and Zechariah) 700 years before it happened.

“Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered” (Zech 13:7).

“‘Am I leading a rebellion,’ said Jesus, ‘that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.’ Then everyone deserted him and fled” (Mark 14:48-50, Matt 26:55-56).

In a sense, Jesus is still on trial today. The world around us has either rejected Jesus or dismissed him as irrelevant. So when the world falsely accuses Jesus, as his followers, do we come to his defense or do we scatter like we are in the Garden of Gethsemane with him on the night of his arrest?

The disciples were filled with fear and doubt when they fled in fear. They didn’t know the Scriptures predicted their own behavior. They thought Jesus was the Messiah who would take his place as the King of Israel and rule on David’s throne. They were thrown into disarray when he was arrested and crucified. But when he appeared to them after the resurrection, their confidence was restored. They would all publicly defend Jesus and die for it.

Paul wrote, “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold” (2 Cor 3:12).

We know the truth and we have the Holy Spirit just the same as the apostles were given. We are called to come to Jesus’ defense when the opportunity is placed in front of us. Let us be bold yet gentle and not have to look back like the Jewish remnant and wonder why we didn’t speak up or seem to care.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Pet 3:15-16).

Today’s Prayer: Lord, give me the strength and courage today to give the reason for the hope that I have in you.