Is. 42:1-9

The servant songs sometimes seem to be directed at all of Israel and sometimes a representative figure. I'm not sure if the individual then stands for the community or if it is directed at a sole person. It fits the baptism of Jesus as God's voice echoes v. 1 strongly. Also Simeon touches on v. 6 when he sees the baby Jesus.

this passage seems to me to be a gold mine for sermon ideas, Bible Study or spiritual work.

 

1) The end of the passage is perfect for the beginning of the calendar year with its declaration of new things before they spring into being.

Maybe that could be a prediction of failed resolutions, but the new year always comes with promise.

 

2) Instead of  the calculus of reward and punishment, the servant is the recipient of delight.

 

3) vv.2-4 is an indicator of the Biblical theme of power displayed through weakness. Tom Long has a sermon somewhere that works with these verses and applies them to Christ. "Would not harm a fly" comes to mind as an old way of saying this.Nonetheless he will not falter. In the TV show Burn Notice the narrator says that crisis can surprise us, and the least likely person will prove ice in their veins when called upon. Even facing difficulty the servant will persevere.

 

4) Then we shift to Isaiah's creator image of God. God is both designer and architect, but also giver of life/breath and spirit, depending on how one chooses to translate ruah in this instance. Some see the light as an example. It is similar to Jesus saying that we should not hide our light under a basket.

 

5) Patricia Tull has edited an SBL book As Those Who Are Taught, and another book on the reception of Isaiah throughout history that look at the servant songs. Some saw traces f the Trinity in v.1 for instance.

 

6) Justice is emphasized again. Look at the contrasting views of justice with the Tea Party and moderates, and the left.

 

7) We will be looking at calling a good bit in upcoming readings. Notice v. 6 and the childlike image used for the call. This could be an invitation to considering vocation.

 

8) v.7 is a great image for spiritual reflecting as well as sermon. When is the dungeon imposed or self-imposed?

 

9) What do you see as the former things and the new things in a spiritual sense?

 

10) This is an explicit attack on idols. We don;t have much of an issue with them, but our tradition always has pointed to idolatry, making substitutes for divine priority. What idolatry troubles you in 2011?