Isaiah 42 | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome, Family! We're spending 2024 with the prophet Isaiah. While we claim no expertise, we're excited to sit with you as we both learn at the feet of Jesus. Each month, we offer a calendar that outlines daily exercises (adapted from Jenn Wilkin's Women of the Word Bible study process) to progress through Isaiah. Download August's calendar to begin with us and witness what we uncovered in our weekly "Wolfe Note" postings.




Contents:

  1. Different Versions Noting and clarifying differences between KJV & CSB.
  2. Annotation My thoughts, connections, clarifications, and questions.
  3. Research Why is God's name, "The Lord"?
  4. Summary An approximately twenty word overview of the chapter.
  5. Memorize Why I chose to memorize Isaiah 42:6.
  6. Cross References Of Isaiah 42:6.
  7. Respond Based on reflections on God's character and my own.

Different Versions

I read Chapter 42 in the King James Version (KJV) and the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). The King James Version is a word-for-word translations and the Christian Standard Bible is a thought-for-thought translation.

Major differences I noticed (*My thoughts alone are in italics and designated with an asterisk.):
  • Isaiah 42:1
    • Comparisons:
      • KJV: Behold my servant, whom I (1) uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the (2) Gentiles.
      • CSB: "This is my servant; I (1) strengthen him, / this is my chosen one; I delight in him. / I have put my Spirit on him; / he will bring justice to the (2) nations.
    • Discrepancies: 
      1. Uphold (KJV) implies a variety of supportive interactions including strengthening (CSB), but also sticking up for, pushing forward, agreeing with. 
      2. Gentiles (KJV) identifies those who are not Jews while nations (CSB) includes the whole world population.
      3. The CSB adds formatting that helps with readability such as line breaks, quotations, and modern language.
    • Conclusions: 
      • In Hebrew:
        •  etmak means to sustain, obtain, keep fast, help, and follow close. 
        • laggowyim is a foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animas, a flight of locusts.
      • *In both instances, the KJV word choice better translates the Hebrew.
  • Isaiah 42:6
    • Comparisons:
      • KJV: I the Lord have called thee (1) in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will (2) keep thee, and (3) give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.
      • CSB: "I am the Lord. I have called you (1) for a righteous purpose, and I will hold you by your hand. I will (2) watch over you, and I will (3) appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations,
    • Discrepancies: 
      1. "In righteousness" (KJV), suggests an expected pattern of behavior while "for a righteous purpose" (CSB), alludes to the motivation for your calling.
      2. "Keep" (KJV) feels active, but "watch" (CSB) feels passive.
      3. "Give" (KJV) feels sacrificial and forced, but "appoint" feels honorable and desired.
    • Conclusions: 
      • In Hebrew:
        •  besedeq means the right, equity, prosperity. *The word "purpose" is missing all together. 
          • This verse could hearken Micah 6:8 KJV: He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.
          • Which, interestingly, the same chapter and verse in Isaiah says ..."Here I am. Send me."
          • I read this part of the verse more as a call to be righteous than a call to a purpose, especially considering the following promises of support from God. We all need help to be righteous, whereas righteous purposes are fulfilled in spite of our sinfulness.
        • laggowyim is a foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animas, a flight of locusts. 
      • *In both instances, the KJV word choice better communicates the Hebrew.

Annotation

Notes on my process. *Denotes my thoughts alone. ! Denotes a connection. Researched quick answers are in italics. *R Indicates a topic with more extensive notes under the research heading.
  1. God's Servant (v1-4)
    1. My servant will humbly, gently, and determinedly reveal truth to everyone.
      1. ? Jesus? 
    2. The world waits for His law.
      1. *This is the missing piece they didn't know they were missing. Their God-shaped hole.
  2. God's Message (v5-9)
    1. Listen to what the God of the Universe, your Creator, has to say:
      1. Isaiah 42:5 CSB "...who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk on it -"
        1. ? Is there a difference between breath and spirit? Spirit for those who are walking on the highway to heaven and breath to everyone else? 
    2. My servant is called to do what is right, is guided and guarded by Me to be the people's hope and the lost's light so that the blind will see and the oppressed will be set free.
      1. ? Jesus, but also, us?
      2. Isaiah 42:6 KJV: "...I will hold thine hand...". Compare to Isaiah 41:13 CSB: "For I am the Lord your God who holds your right hand,...". (See cross references.)
      3. Isaiah 42:6 KJV: "...and will keep thee...". Compare to Isaiah 27:3 KJV: "I the Lord do keep it...I will keep it night and day." (See cross references.)
      4. Isaiah 42:7 CSB: "...to bring out prisoners...and those sitting in darkness...". Compare to Isaiah 61:1 CSB  ...He has sent me...to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners.
        1. *Literal and spiritual freedom come from knowing the truth. John 8:32
    3. I tell you this so that when you witness it, you will know it is Me.
      1. ? Why is "the Lord" his name? Name = character; Lord = Master, so his character is to rule? *R
      2. *Clearly, the servant must be Jesus or another would get the glory.
  3. A Song of Praise (v10-12)
    1. Let all the earth praise God with a new song.
    2. Let them sing and shout.
    3. Give Him all the glory.
  4. God's Wrath (v13-18)
    1. He is coming in strength and He will prevail.
      1. How do men of war stir up jealousy?
    2. He will be quiet no more. Now, He wails and creation undergoes devastation.
      1. Isaiah 18:4 KJV: For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. (See cross references.)
      2. Isaiah 34:13 KJV: And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls. (Research about the creatures.)
    3. He will lead the blind to light and straighten their path. He will not forsake them.
      1. ! Isaiah 41:3 KJV: He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not go with his feet.
      2. ! Isaiah 41:9 KJV: Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
    4. Those who trust in idols will realize their folly.
    5. Open your eyes and see!
  5. God's Eternal Plan (v19-25)
    1. No one sees His will as clearly as His servant.
      1. ? How is Jesus deaf and blind? To His own will, like tunnel vision on God's will?
    2. His eyes and ears are trained to God, though he has every opportunity to stary.
    3. Jesus will accomplish what He was sent for to magnify and honor (or fulfill) the law.
      1. ! God saves us for His own sake. Psalm 106:8 & Isaiah 43:25
    4. But, His job won't be easy: these people are greatly deceived and are not looking for a rescue.
      1. Jeremiah 29:11-14 KJV: "For I know the plans I have for you...I will turn away your captivity..."
      2. ! Isaiah 6:9-10 CSB Go! Say to these people: keep listening, but do not understand; keep looking, but do not perceive. Make the minds of these people dull; deafen their ears and blind their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their minds, turn back, and be healed. 
        1. See research on this verse.
        2. Also an explanation from a sermon ~39:00
    5. Who is listening to Me?
    6. Jacob wasn't. Nor was Israel. All have sinned against God.
    7. And so, God's wrath engulfed Israel, but still they didn't notice or learn.

Research

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.
Why is "The Lord" God's name? Isaiah 42:8
  • In Hebrew, it is actually "Yahweh". Which is the proper name of the God of Israel.
  • "Yahweh" is the name for God used throughout the Old Testament. It was the name God gave to Moses when Moses asked: Exodus 3:13-15 CSB: If I go to the Israelites and say to them, "The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what should I tell them?" God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. [ehyeh aser ehyeh] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM [ehyeh] has sent me to you." God also said to Moses, "Say this to the Israelites: The LORD [Yahweh], the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.
  • The name also appears in Revelation in a different form: He that is, and was, and is to come. (Revelation 1:4, 8; 4:8, 11:17 and 16:15) - Pulpit and Ellicott
  • The most proper meaning scholars give Yahweh is: "He brings into existence whatever exists." - Britannica. The name sounds like a breath (Got Questions article) for a reason:
    • Genesis 2:7 KJV: And the LORD [Yahweh] God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
    • Isaiah 42:5 KJV: Thus saith God the Lord [Yahweh]...he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
  • Most translations replace "Yahweh" with "Lord" because "Yahweh" is considered too holy to be used. - The Religion Teacher
    *Conclusions: The Lord is a replacement name for "Yahweh". The idea God communicates here is that without Him there is nothing. And He won't give credit to anything else for His work.

    Summary

    God's servant will come in truth. His righteousness will honor the law. Watch for Him. Give Him glory.

    Memorize

    I chose to memorize Isaiah 42:6.
    I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

    There are so many beautiful cross-references for this verse. But also, this verse reminds me that I was chosen, empowered, and guarded by God to bring hope and light to His people by letting His Son's blood make me clean.


    Cross References

    *Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.

    Of Isaiah 42:6:

    I the Lord have called thee...
    • Isaiah 43:1 CSB: Now this is what the LORD says - the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel - "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.
    • Isaiah 49:1-3 CSB: Coasts and islands, listen to me; distant peoples, pay attention. The LORD called me before I was born. He named me while I was in my mother's womb. He made my words like a sharp sword; he hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me like a sharpened arrow; he hid me in his quiver. He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified."
    • 2 Timothy 1:9 KJV: Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

    ...in righteousness...

    • Isaiah 32:1 KJV: Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
    • Isaiah 45:13 KJV: I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts.
    • Romans 3:25-26 KJV: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
    ...and will hold thine hand...
    • Isaiah 41:10 CSB: Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.
    • Isaiah 41:13 CSB: For I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, who says to you, "Do not fear, I will help you.
    • Isaiah 42:1 KJV: Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
    ...and will keep thee,...
    • Isaiah 26:3 KJV: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
    • Isaiah 27:3 KJV: I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.
    • Numbers 6:24-26 KJV: The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
    ...and give thee for a covenant...

    • Isaiah 49:8 KJV: Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages.
    • Matthew 26:28 CSB: For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
    • Hebrews 12:24 CSB: and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.
    ...of the people,...

    • Galatians 3:15-18 KJV: Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of a promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
    • Romans 15:8-9 CSB: For I say that Christ became a servant of the circumcised on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises to the fathers, and so that Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and I will sing praise to your name. 
    • Luke 1:69-72 KJV: And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant.
    ...for a light... 
    • Luke 2:32 KJV: A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
    • Acts 13:47 CSB: For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "I have made you a light for the Gentiles to bring salvation to the ends of the earth."
    • Acts 26:23 KJV: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
    ...of the Gentiles."

    • Isaiah 49:6 KJV: And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
    • Isaiah 60:1-3 KJV: Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
    • I Peter 2:9 KJV: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 

    *Conclusion: He chose you to walk righteously with Him where you'll know peace as He guards, strengthens, helps and upholds you. You will be a sign of His faithfulness to the people from generation to generation and a light to those who don't yet know Truth.

    Respond

    1. God is Lord. I am His servant. I must learn to respond in obedience to Him as naturally as the rhythm of my breath proclaims His name. 
    2. God deserves all the glory. I give glory to others or try to claim it as my own. I must remember that God created, ordained, and positions all things and all people. I must give Him the glory for every good thing.
    3. God desires us to want to know Him. I think I know Him, but He is always teaching me more. I must keep approaching Him with ears trained to hear His truth by stopping the hearing of blood, and eyes trained to see His love by stopping the seeing of evil. (See Isaiah 33:15.)

    Father God, I am so honored that I get to approach You! The King and Creator of the Universe wants to hear from me, holds my hand, and recognizes me as His servant. Thank You for inviting me through Your Son to join in the work of righteousness. My heart beats to Your rhythm. Every breath I take speaks Your name. May each breath, each heart beat, strengthen my desire to serve and know You more. 

    Learning with You,

    Ready for Isaiah 43?

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