Class Notes on Isa 53:4-12

Isa 53:4-6 Surely he took up our infirmities // and carried our sorrows, // yet we considered him stricken by God, // smitten by him, and afflicted. // 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, // he was crushed for our iniquities; // the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, // and by his wounds we are healed. // 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, // each of us has turned to his own way; // and the Lord has laid on him // the iniquity of us all. NIV

• In the next set of verses, we see the purpose of the Messiah. In verse 4, what does it say the Messiah would do?
  • He takes our infirmities and sorrows. This could be viewed spiritually as well as physically, and Jesus did do both. We will err on the conservative side and say it was the physical. That also agrees with Matthew's interpretation (Matt 8:16-17)
    • Matt 8:16-17 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: // "He took up our infirmities // and carried our diseases." NIV
  • The people believed that his punishment was given by God (this is true but for a different reason). That is clearly the view of the leaders who felt he had committed blasphemy

• In verse 5 & 6, what does it add to the Messiah's purpose?
  • The real reason for the Messiah's punishment was "our" sins. In this case, the "our" is inclusive of Jew and Gentile
  • We know this is spiritual because of the use of the terms, transgressions and iniquities
  • Also, verse 6 makes it clear that we have turned away from God. "Sheep are notoriously shortsighted; they go after the next clump of grass without regard to where their feet may lead them. They are also self-centered; their only thought is how they can satisfy themselves with no concern for the welfare of other sheep. Consequently sheep often get lost. Humans are the same." (Constable, Isaiah, 2008, pg 235)

• All of these verses point to the substitutionary atonement of Jesus' death. I'm not sure how that would apply to an interpretation of Israel as the suffering servant. Does that mean that the more Israel suffers, the more the world is cleansed?
• What is the result of the Messiah's substitutionary atonement?
  • Peace
  • Healing
  • Matt 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." NIV

• APPLICATION: The gospel gives great peace. No longer do we need to carry the guild to our sins. Jesus had paid it all. His blood has washed away all the filth. We need to believe these truths and live in the peace that Jesus gives to our souls

Isa 53:7-9 He was oppressed and afflicted, // yet he did not open his mouth; // he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, // and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, // so he did not open his mouth. // 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. // And who can speak of his descendants? // For he was cut off from the land of the living; // for the transgression of my people he was stricken. // 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, // and with the rich in his death, // though he had done no violence, // nor was any deceit in his mouth. NIV

• What is unusual about verse 7?
  • The person does not defend himself (even though he had done no wrong, vs 9b). We defend ourselves all the time, even when we are guilty, we justify our actions. Like a lamb, the Passover lamb, he willingly goes to his death

• What does verse 8 reveal about his death?
  • It is a trial (word judgment refers to a judgment resulting from a trial) and an execution (cut off)

• In the Gospel of Matthew, the phrase "this generation" is used repeatedly. This is the generation that rejected Jesus as the messiah. Verse 8 is translated differently in many versions:
  • Isa 53:8 … and none of his generation protested … CJB
  • Isa 53:8 … And as for His generation, who considered … NASU
  • Isa 53:8 … and who considered His fate? … Holman Christian Standard Bible
  • Isa 53:8 … and as for his generation, who (among them) considered … ASV, AMP

• Verse 9 gives some more details of his death, what are they?
  • He is executed a criminal, with criminals, and would have been buried in a criminal's grave (in fact, he would have had one assigned), yet he is buried in the grave of a rich person (Joseph's of Arimathea)
  • It is interesting. Jesus father (supposed) was Joseph, and Jesus was buried in 'a' Joseph's grave. He truly was Messiah Ben Joseph and he is also Messiah Ben David

• APPLICATION: We need to be more like Jesus, less defensive when someone challenges us about an issue or sin in our life. It is very difficult because it is part of our sin nature to defend ourselves

Isa 53:10-12 Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, // and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, // he will see his offspring and prolong his days, // and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. // 11 After the suffering of his soul, // he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; // by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, // and he will bear their iniquities. // 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, // and he will divide the spoils with the strong, // because he poured out his life unto death, // and was numbered with the transgressors. // For he bore the sin of many, // and made intercession for the transgressors. NIV

• What do these verses tell us?
  • Jesus' death was not an accident. It was intentional and it was God's plan
  • Jesus' death was a guilt offering
  • Jesus will see his offspring (seed). How could that be if he was dead? But Jesus does see his spiritual offspring. We are Jesus' seed and the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to bless the entire world through his seed
  • Jesus days were prolonged for eternity. Jesus is resurrected and has a new body. He is physically alive
  • Jesus' death justifies many (we are just-as-if we never sinned, in God's eyes)
  • There is a great reward coming. The Messianic kingdom is the portion which he will divide with his spiritual sons and daughters

• APPLICATION: This is a great message of hope to the dying and of encouragement to the saved. It is an incredible prophesy which has been fulfilled miraculously. One could ignore all the other prophecies of the bible and this section alone is enough to believe in the message of the gospel