Servants
It turns out that in the middle of Isaiah, starting at Ch 42 and continuing till Ch 53, there are four Servant Songs. This is the second song of the cycle, where God calls on the Servant to be a light to the nations, as evidence of God’s salvation to all.
In other songs God has appointed the Servant as his teacher, his example of suffering to the people and his means of bringing justice to all nations.
But wait! As good Christians, as with much of Isaiah, we jump to the conclusion that the Servant is a metaphor or maybe even a predictor of the coming of Jesus. Okay. Good stuff! Except for one thing: these are the Hebrew scriptures, not the Gospels, and the Hebrews then and now are going to deal with the Servant as it is written, not being all that much connected to the Jesus story.
So what about the Servant? Who or what is happening? It’s a serious placeholder in book of Isaiah, and God is surely making a point worth keeping. It has been argued that the Servant is actually Israel, and that God has chosen, is delighted by and affectionate toward the people of Israel. (Perhaps more in Isaiah’s time than today, for some.)
But we have an opportunity to see ourselves as God’s Servant. How about if we serve as a light to the nations, to open eyes that are blind, to free prisoners and to bring forth justice?. These are words for us today. Directions for a God-given life. With God’s spirit sent upon us. Might even be possible.
Holy One, Show us the path towards righteousness and salvation. Salvation now, in removal of temptation and in searching for your commanded way. Be with us always. Amen
John Culter