The suffering servant

THE SUFFERING SERVANT

In the time of Christ many Jews were expecting the imminent Kingdom of God. E.g. Joseph of Arimathea “was waiting for the kingdom of God” (Luke 23:51).

According to prophecy (Isaiah 24:23) the expected kingdom was going to established in Jerusalem. Thus when Jesus “was near Jerusalem … the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.” (Luke 19:11, NIV)

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The Jews were expecting the Messiah to free them from the rule of Rome and set up an everlasting kingdom. They were expecting a political leader, not a spiritual leader.

Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. (John 6:16, NIV)

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

They knew the prophecies about the conquering Messiah king but neglected the prophecies that spoke of a suffering Messiah (e.g. Psalm 22).

In Isaiah there are also 4 poems written about the “servant of Yahweh,” or God’s “Suffering Servant” culminating in the famous chapter 53.

1) Isaiah 42:1-9

2) Isaiah 49:1-12

3) Isaiah 50:4-9

4) Isaiah 52-53

God calls his servant to lead the nations, but he is horribly repressed, although ultimately he is rewarded.

SUFFERING SERVANT

He would be despised

Isaiah 49:7 (NIV) This is what the LORD says—the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

Isaiah 53:3 (NIV) He was despised and rejected by mankind … Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

HELD IN LOW ESTEEM

He had a humble birth

Luke 2:7 (NIV) and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

He was born to poor peasant parents. Speaking of herself, Mary said that God "has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty." (Luke 1:53, NIV)

Archaeological excavations of Nazareth from the 1950’s show that the village of Jesus’ day was occupied by poor agricultural people. As Jesus grew up he worked in the trade of a carpenter, not a trade known for its wealth. 1

1 www.demonictimes.com

HELD IN LOW ESTEEM

In the law God commanded a woman who had given birth to sacrifice a lamb, but if she was poor she could sacrifice 2 doves or 2 pigeons (Lev 12:7-8) Note what Joseph and Mary offered (i.e. they could not afford a lamb).

Luke 2:22-24 (NIV) … Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: 'a pair of doves or two young pigeons.'"

HELD IN LOW ESTEEM

He came from a despised town.

John 1:45-46 (NIV) Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?"Nathanael asked.

He lived and did his initial ministry in a despised province.

John 7:52 (NIV) They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.”

Jesus was not rich. He rode on a borrowed donkey and was buried in a borrowed tomb.

He said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58) When he was in Jerusalem he slept in the Garden of Gethsemane.

HELD IN LOW ESTEEM

Unlike men, God doesn’t judge people based on their external appearance or physique.

1 Sam 16:6-7 (NIV) When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

NO BEAUTY

The Bible doesn’t give us a physical description of what Jesus looked like as a man before he was exalted. But in Isaiah 53:2 the coming Servant of Yahweh is described as being quite ordinary in appearance.

He would not be considered physically beautiful or rich.

Isa 53:2 (ESV) For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.

Jesus didn’t fit the profile of what was considered to be a conquering Messiah.

NO BEAUTY

He would suffer

Isaiah 53:3 (NIV) He was … a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.

Just as all men suffer, so too Jesus shared in the human experience. He was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa 53:3, ESV)

He knew what it was like to stand beside a father’s grave.

He knew the burden of supporting a family…

A MAN OF SUFFERING

… and worrying about his mother’s provision.

John 19:25-27 (NIV) Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother… When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

A MAN OF SUFFERING

And he wept when he saw the sorrow of his friends, Mary and Martha, upon the death of their brother Lazarus:

John 11:33-35 (NIV) When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled… Jesus wept.

A MAN OF SUFFERING

He knew what it was like to have a ministry without the support of his family, for “even his own brothers did not believe in him” (John 7:5).

Mark 3:20-21 (NIV) Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”

A MAN OF SUFFERING

Do what you came for, friend. (Matt 26:50)

He knew what it was like to be betrayed by a friend.

Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? (Luke 22:48)

‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ (John 13:18)

A MAN OF SUFFERING

Isaiah 50:4 (NIV) The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary…

Matt 7:28-29 (NIV) When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

He would be eloquent in his teaching.

ELOQUENT

John 7:45-46 (NIV) Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and the Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?” “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards replied.

He would speak the very words of God.

Isaiah 50:4 (NIV) … He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away.

John 12:49 (NIV) “For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.”

ELOQUENT

He would be God’s means of salvation by covenant.

Isa 49:8 (NIV) This is what the LORD says: “In the time of my favour I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people …

2 Cor 6:1-2 (NIV) As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.

A COVENANT

Isaiah 42:6 (NIV) “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people …” [cf. 49:8]

Luke 22:20 (NIV) In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

He would establish a covenant between God and the people.

A COVENANT

Isaiah 50:7 (NIV) Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.

When you’re expecting some opposition, to “set your face like flint [stone]” means regarding these difficulties as worthwhile when you consider the outcome they lead to. You are resolute or determined and do not take your eyes off where you are headed.

Luke 9:51 (NIV) As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

Luke 9:51 (NASB) When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem

SET MY FACE LIKE FLINT

The more literal reading is:

Luke 9:51 (ESV) When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. (cf. NKJV)

Understandably some versions paraphrase this as the term “set his face” has little meaning for English readers – but it misses the reference back to Isaiah where the suffering servant says, “Therefore have I set my face like flint…”

Isaiah 50:5-8 prophetically tells us about Jesus’ attitude to the cross. He is given as our example as we run the race.

Heb 12:2 (NIV) … fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

SET MY FACE LIKE FLINT

Isa 52:7 (NASB) How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

In the Septuagint (the Greek version of the OT) “good news” is conveyed by the Greek verb euangelizō, which is related to euangelion. Evangelion, which is translated gospel in the NT means good news. Our English word evangelist is derived from this word and means bringer of good news.

THE GOSPEL

Isa 40:9 (NIV) You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”

THE GOSPEL

The suffering servant would bring good news (gospel) that “Your God reigns!” i.e. he announces the establishment of God’s kingdom in this world.

Jesus comes proclaiming the kingdom of God (“Your God reigns”) as the “good news.”

Mark 1:14-15 (ESV) … Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel [Greek: euangelion] of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

THE GOSPEL

We are to proclaim this good news (gospel) of salvation through Jesus Christ to the world.

Rom 10:13-15 (NIV) for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

THE GOSPEL

Isa 53:1 (NIV) Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

John 12:37-38 (NIV) Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. This was to fulfil the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

His message would be rejected.

REJECTION

He was “the stone the builders rejected” which “has become the cornerstone.” (Matt 21:42)

John 1:11 (NIV) He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

He faced rejection from his hometown.

Mark 6:3 (NIV) “Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him…

REJECTION

And he wept over his beloved city of Jerusalem when they rejected him.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. (Matt 23:37)

REJECTION

Isaiah 53:7 (NIV) 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 its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

The Ethiopian eunuch was reading this passage from Isaiah: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” [Acts 8:32]

SUFFERING SERVANT

Philip explained to the eunuch that this passage applied to Jesus (Acts 8:34-35). And so before the Lamb (Jesus) was led to the slaughter, he was silent before his accusers, not responding to the charges brought by false witnesses.

1 Peter 2:23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

Before Herod: “When Herod saw Jesus, he … plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer”. [Lk 23:8-9]

Before Pilate: “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.” [John 19:9]

Isaiah 50:6 (NIV) I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard…

John 19:1 (NIV) Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.

Isaiah 50:6 (NIV) … I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Luke 23:35 (NIV) The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

Matt 27:27-30 (NIV) Then the governor’s soldiers … knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.

He would be beaten and tortured to the point that his body was disfigured.

Isa 52:14 (NIV) Just as there were many who were appalled at him — his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness …

CRUCIFIXION

Isa 53:9, 12 (NIV) He was assigned a grave with the wicked… and was numbered with the transgressors.

Luke 22:37 (NIV) It is written: “And he was numbered with the transgressors”; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfilment.” Matt 27:38 (ESV) Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left.

In the Book of Acts, Philip indicated to the Ethiopian eunuch that Isaiah 53 speaks of Christ. The chapter clearly speaks of a substitutionary sacrifice for sin.

Isa 53:8-11 (NIV) … For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished… Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin … by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

IMPUTATION

Isa 53:4-6 (NIV) Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Matt 8:16-17 (NIV) 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. This was to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

IMPUTATION

Isa 53:9 (NIV) … though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Isa 53:12 (NIV) For he bore the sin of many…

1 Pet 22:21-25 (NIV) To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” … “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

IMPUTATION

Isa 53:9 (NIV) … and with the rich in his death…

Matt 27:57-60 (NIV) As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb …

God would vindicate him.

Isaiah 50:8-9 (NIV) He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who will condemn me? 1 They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.

Isaiah 49:4 (NIV) But I said, “I have laboured in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”

Isa 53:12 (NIV) 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 …

1 Paul uses similar language of Christ’s love for us (Rom 8:33-35)

VINDICATED

There are diverse views of how Isaiah 53:8 should be interpreted and what “generation” refers to.

The NIV interprets “generation” as the people who never protested his unjust treatment.

Isaiah 53:8 (NIV) By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.

The ESV and NASB sees “generation” as the people who never realised he was killed for sin.

Isaiah 53:8 (ESV) By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?

GENERATION

The KJV and NKJV sees “generation” referring to the fact that he would have no offspring because he was “cut off from the land of the living”.

Isa 53:8 (NKJV) … And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.

The following verses imply that he does in fact have seed – which necessitates his resurrection.

Isa 53:10 (NKJV) … When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days…

This is of course a reference to spiritual seed. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12, ESV)

SPIRITUAL SEED

He would be resurrected.

RESURRECTION

Isa 53:11 (NIV) After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied…

Luke 24:6-7 (NIV) “He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”

He would ultimately be exalted.

EXALTED

Isa 52:13 (NIV) See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

Phil 2:9-11 (NIV) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord …

Isaiah 42:1-4 is quoted as being fulfilled in Jesus:

Matt 12:15-21 (NIV) Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him. This was to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations… In his name the nations will put their hope.”

THE CHOSEN SERVANT

Isaiah 42:1,4 (NIV) “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations… he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

Matt 12:21 (KJV) “And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.”

The Septuagint renders Isaiah 42:4 “And in his name shall the Gentiles trust,” the form retained by Matthew. “The islands” designates the countries remote from Israel, by implication the Gentile nations – this is a paraphrase.

Isa 11:10 (NKJV) “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And His resting place shall be glorious.”

Rom 15:12 (King James 2000) And again, Isaiah says, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

THE HOPE OF NATIONS

He would bring salvation to the distant Gentile nations.

Isaiah 49:1-2 (NIV) Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.

Isaiah 42:6 (NIV) “I, the LORD … will make you to be … a light for the Gentiles”

When Simeon sees the infant Jesus he declares, “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-31, NIV)

THE HOPE OF NATIONS

Matt 4:12-16 (NIV) … Jesus … withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfil what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

Isa 9:1-2 (NIV) Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES

He would bring deliverance to both Jew and Gentile.

Isaiah 49:5-6 (NIV) And now the LORD says—he who formed me in the womb to be his servant … he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 13:46-47 (NIV) Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES

His story would be told in the nations.

Isa 52:15 (NIV) so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.

Rom 15:18-21 (NIV) … in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.”

A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES

Isaiah 42:2-3 (NIV) He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.

Matthew (12:17) indicates that Jesus would “fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah”:

Matt 12:19-20 (NIV) “He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory.”

STRONG BUT GENTLE

Despite being powerful and able to crush the serpent’s head, Jesus is tender and gentle with the weak and humble.

Isa 40:10-11 (NIV) See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm … He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Ps 34:18 (ESV) The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

STRONG BUT GENTLE

Jesus will not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smouldering wick.

Sam Allberry, an apologist and writer for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries writes:

Or think of the smouldering wick. Barely a flicker left in it, a mere speck of orange light, the tiniest disturbance of which would certainly snuff it out. And yet Jesus is able to deploy his care with such surgical, forensic precision that the most delicate and fragile of things can be taken and nurtured with utter care and protection. Part of the wonder is that Jesus is able to combine what we so easily separate. In our experience those who are gentlest tend to lack strength and force when it is called for, 

 while those who are strongest tend to lack the capacity for gentleness and restraint. But Jesus exemplifies perfect gentleness and awesome strength. No one is crushed by mistake. There is never any friendly fire or collateral damage. This combination is why he is such a good Saviour to turn to. He is strong and mighty to save: he can take on the strongest of our foes and always be certain to prevail. No spiritual force arrayed against us stands a chance of surviving. And yet he is unspeakably delicate and careful with us. There is no wound or vulnerability he doesn’t understand or handle with the utmost care. He is someone we can trust with our most tender bruises and fragility. He will not be clumsy with us. He won’t steamroll us. He can apply his unimaginable strength to us with affection and sensitivity. 1

1 https:// www.desiringgod.org/ articles/a-bruised-reed-he-will-not-break

STRONG BUT GENTLE

He would bring healing and deliverance.

Isaiah 42:7 (NIV) “(I will make you) to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”

Isaiah 49:9-11 (NIV) … to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’ “They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up.

DELIVERANCE

Isaiah 53:12 (NIV) For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Rom 8:33-34 (NIV) Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

INTERCESSION

He would intercede for sinners.

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations are taken from the NIV: THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB: New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. ( Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations are taken from the ESV: Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.