Isaiah 50 (NIV)

Read by: Brennan Takayama

Israel's sense of identity was centered around the Law, the Torah that set up boundaries that distinguished the nation of Israel from other nations. In it’s design it wasn’t a problem because it was through this nation that who was marked out that God would cause blessing to come to all the other nations. Israel was the means, not the end. But Israel failed to live up to this vocation, but the LORD would not relent in his covenant to bring this blessing through Israel. And so the boundary markers that created Israel, are about to be redrawn around this servant figure.

In today’s passage we learn that  the boundaries of belonging to “God’s people” are not only being broadened to include the Gentiles, but they are being narrowed as well, to exclude those Israelites who don’t want to trust and obey the LORD. Belonging is no longer about who’s in and who’s out. It’s not about who gets the blessing and who doesn’t. It’s not membership in an exclusive club. It’s about choosing to follow God even in the dark. Even when the path heads toward suffering. And the Servant here provides a litmus test - the image of the kind of human God wants to partner with, the kinds of humans we are to become.  The door is wide open, he says. The LORD has not divorced Israel. On the contrary, he is waiting to receive those who want to return to him. Who among you? Who will return?

----------REFLECT----------

1. What stood out to you from today’s passage?

2. The Servant’s willing obedience calls us to look at ourselves in his light. Are we willing to follow God into suffering? Are we willing to listen and learn from him, morning by morning? Where in your life do you need to press into deeper obedience?

3. The Servant is not afraid because he has confidence in the LORD’s help and that he will be vindicated. His hope is wrapped up in his belief that his suffering will not be in vain. As we consider the difficult places in our lives—whether in work, relationships, or in your personal life, do we believe that faithfulness will be worth it that we will be vindicated? Ask the LORD for faith to trust him.

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Bible Project: Isaiah 40-66 >>

Bible Project Blog: Isaiah and the Suffering Servant King >>

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