Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 50

AN EXHORTATION TO THE UNBELIEVING IN ISRAEL

1. In language moved by deep emotion, Jehovah denies that He has either forsaken His people, or given to Israel a "bill of divorcement", (vs. 1; comp. Deuteronomy 24:1-4).

a. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), and will not be a party to anything that He himself condemns.

b. Israel can produce no "bill of divorcement"; nor can she furnish any evidence that God has sold her to one of His creditors, (comp. Deuteronomy 32:30; 2 Kings 4:1; Nehemiah 5:5).

c. The estrangement so movingly portrayed by Hosea was only temporary; it was because of Israel’s own sin that she had been rejected as an effective instrument for the fulfillment of God’s holy purpose.

d. When she repents, Jehovah will take her back and establish with her a covenant of peace, (Isaiah 54:4-10; Jeremiah 3:12-15).

2. The nation has persistently rejected God’s counsel and despised His reproof; thus, has she been given up to her own way -that she may taste the bitter fruit of its end, (Proverbs 1:24-33).

a. Again and again God has come to plead with His people, through the prophets; yet, they would not hear, (Jeremiah 11:7-8; 2 Chronicles 36:15-16).

b. He has called to them, but they would not answer, (Isaiah 65:12; Isaiah 66:4; Jeremiah 7:13-15).

3. The national calamity has not befallen them because the Lord’s hand is shortened; nor is He powerless to redeem them; all authority is His!

a. The coming of the Servant is for Redemption, (Luke 4:18).

b. However, instead of joyfully receiving Him, and heeding His message, the chosen nation rejects and crucifies Him!

4. He is the One whose decree has brought inescapable judgment upon them - bringing storm-clouds into their lives and causing them to sit in mourning - that they may learn to reverence and serve Him, (vs. 3).

1. Here is One who has been trained in God’s school, (vs. 4).

a. He receives daily direction from heaven for His earthly task, (Psalms 5:3; Psalms 143:8; Psalms 25:4-5; comp. Isaiah 54:13).

b. Thus, He is able to speak the exact word desired to meet the needs of those who are weary, (Matthew 11:28-29; comp. Isaiah 57:19; Jeremiah 31:12; Jeremiah 31:14; Jeremiah 31:25).

2. His ear has been divinely opened to receive counsel from on high; nor has he rebelled (Matthew 26:39; John 14:31; Philippians 2:8), or turned away backward (vs. 5; John 7:16; John 8:28-29; John 8:38; John 12:49; comp. Isaiah 14:10; Isaiah 14:24).

3. Fully aware of what suffering awaited Him, the Servant steadfastly followed the divinely-appointed pathway which led to a cross, (vs. 6).

a. His back was bared to those who smote Him, (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24-25).

b. With infinite patience, He yielded his cheeks to those who plucked out His beard.

c. Nor did He hide His face from humiliation and spitting, (Matthew 26:67; Matthew 27:30).

d. His example should be an incentive for His people to endure, with patience, such suffering as His wisdom permits to come upon us, for our good, (Philippians 1:29; Acts 14:22; 2 Timothy 2:12; 2 Timothy 3:12; Romans 8:17; Matthew 5:10-12).

4. The Servant knew the nearness of Jehovah to His need, and the adequacy of His provision, (vs. 7).

a. He knew that none who commit their way to Him will ever be confounded (Isaiah 45:17; Isaiah 54:4), or have cause to be ashamed.

b. Thus, He "set His face like a flint" - refusing to be turned aside from the completion of His Messianic task, (Luke 9:51; Ezekiel 3:8-9).

5. Knowing the nearness of Jehovah, Who will both uphold and declare Him righteous, the Servant is bold before His enemies, (vs. 8-9).

a. He challenges His adversaries to stand up, come near and contend with Him, (vs. 8; comp. Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 41:1; Isaiah 41:21; Isaiah 43:6).

b. And He asks who it is that can condemn Him - since the Lord is His divine Vindicator, (vs. 9a; Isaiah 54:17; Isaiah 43:9; Isaiah 43:26; Isaiah 45:20; Isaiah 48:14-16).

Vs. 10-11: TWO WAYS BETWEEN WHICH MEN MUST CHOOSE

1. The way of trust, and dependence on the Lord, leads to: salvation, justification, life, and peace, (vs. 10; Psalms 1:1-3; Matthew 7:13).

2. The way of self-truth, and dependence on one’s own wisdom, leads to condemnation, sorrow, and death, (vs. 11; Psalms 1:4-6; Matthew 7:14).

3. If self-centered man insists on walking in the light of his own fire - the semi-darkness of dimly-flickering sparks which his own hands have made; his end will be destruction!

4. Unwavering trust in God and His word is the ONLY foundation upon which one may safely build his life, (Matthew 7:21-27).