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Theme: Servant of the Lord

Crisis Converted Then:

The Hebrew phrase “eved Yahweh” (servant of the Lord) is introduced in this passage. It is one of the most important themes throughout the rest of the book. Whereas in 41:24, 29 the readers are called to “see” the idols, they are now called to “see” God’s servant. Scholars debate whether this servant is understood to be Cyrus II or a prophet king from within Israel. In this specific servant song, his role is to bring justice.

Crisis Converted Now:

It seems impossible for a Christian to read Isaiah 42:1-4 and not immediately meditate on Jesus' fulfillment of this passage. The 5th century theologian Cyril of Alexandria put it this way in his reading of the passage, “the word of the prophet now shifts to the time of Christ, and makes an explicit prophecy of the grace that comes from him.” The prophets' depiction of the true messiah finds fulfillment in Christ, the servant of Yahweh.