Isaiah 53:6-9
Sunday Morning Bible Study
April 16, 2000
Introduction
We are in the middle of one of those most amazing passages in the Bible. The passage started in 52:13, as Isaiah began to describe the Suffering Servant. We’ve seen an incredible description of a Messiah who would be despised and rejected by His own people. We’ve seen a picture of a Messiah who would be punished by God for our sins, paying the price for our sins in order to make us right before God.
:6 All we like sheep have gone astray
gone astray – ta`ah – to err, wander, go astray, stagger
Sheep have some good qualities about them, but this isn’t one of them. From what I understand, when sheep do not have a shepherd, they tend to just wander and eventually go astray.
Isaiah is saying that all of us are like this. Without the right shepherd, we will wander into places where we don’t belong.
Ezekiel wrote,
(Ezek 34:5-6 NLT) So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd. They are easy prey for any wild animal. {6} They have wandered through the mountains and hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them.
God promised that He would send a shepherd for His sheep.
(Ezek 34:23-24 NLT) And I will set one shepherd over them, even my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them. {24} And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David will be a prince among my people. I, the LORD, have spoken!
When God talks about "David", He is talking about the line of the kings, the descendants of David. Jesus was a descendant of David.
Jesus is that shepherd.
Mt 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
(John 10:11 NLT) "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
:6 we have turned every one to his own way
(NIV) each of us has turned to his own way;
We so easily want to go our own way. Sometimes it’s a little hard to admit.
Illustration
Ranai Carlton ("Kids of the Kingdom") writes,
During one Sunday school lesson, I was trying to teach the children that we all need God's forgiveness. After the story I quizzed one of the girls. "Lisa, when is a time you might need God's forgiveness?"
Noticeably perplexed, Lisa was reassured by my son, who whispered, "It's okay, you don't have to tell her." Then he looked me straight in the eye and said, "We don't have to tell you our problems. This isn't the Oprah Winfrey show."
The Bible says that all of us are sinful, whether we want to admit it or not.
(Rom 3:23 KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Illustration
Yehiel Dinur survived the holocaust of World War II. Many years later, he was called upon to testify at the trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the architects of the holocaust. As he stepped into the courtroom and saw Eichmann, he broke down in uncontrollable sobs. Was Dinur overcome by hatred? Fear? Terrible memories? "No," said Dinur to Mike Wallace of CBS News. "I was afraid about myself. I am—exactly like he is."
:6 and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
hath laid – paga` – to encounter, meet, reach, entreat, make intercession; (Hiphil); to cause to light upon; interpose
iniquity – `avon – perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity
This was portrayed in the sacrifices of the Old Testament where the people were to lay their hands on the animal to be sacrificed, putting their sins on the animal.
Le 4:15 And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.
Le 16:21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send [him] away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:
As Jesus hung on the cross, God put upon His own Son the punishment for our sins. This is what was happening when Jesus cried out,
Mt 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
God forsook Jesus when our sin was laid upon Jesus.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
The innocent was punished as if guilty, that the guilty might be rewarded as if innocent.
Lesson
Receive His forgiveness
The Bible says,
(1 John 1:9 KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
God is "just" in forgiving us because the appropriate price has already been paid to remove our sins from us.
Our part is to simply come to God and admit that we need His help.
:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted
oppressed – nagas – to press, drive, oppress, exact, exert demanding pressure; (Niphal) to be hard pressed
This is the word that was used to describe the Egyptian "taskmasters" who would stand with their whips to make the people work (Ex. 3:7; 5:6,10,13,14). This was a word used to describe how you would get a debtor pay you what he owes you (Deut. 15:2,3), to exact a debt.
afflicted – `anah – to afflict, oppress, humble, be afflicted, be bowed down; (Niphal) to humble oneself, bow down; to be afflicted, be humbled. This may not be talking about something separate from being "oppressed" as much as this is the state of one who is "oppressed". The idea being, "While He was oppressed, He patiently and humbly endured it."
:7 yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
dumb – 'alam – to bind; (Niphal) to be dumb; to be bound
Jeremiah describes much of the same thing when he said,
(Jer 11:19 NLT) I had been as unaware as a lamb on the way to its slaughter. I had no idea that they were planning to kill me!
I don’t think the idea is that Jesus would be totally silent, but that He would make no great defense for Himself.
Before Caiphas (Mat. 26:59-65)
(Mat 26:59-65 KJV) Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; {60} But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, {61} And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. {62} And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? {63} But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. {64} Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. {65} Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
Before Pilate (Mat. 27:11-14)
(Mat 27:11-14 KJV) And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. {12} And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. {13} Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? {14} And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
Before Herod (Luke 23:8-9)
(Luke 23:8-9 KJV) And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. {9} Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
Lesson
Keeping words to a minimum.
I know that sometimes a lack of communication between people can only make things worse. But sometimes it’s not a bad idea to stay silent, or at least keep your words to a minimum.
(Prov 10:19 KJV) In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
(Prov 10:19 NASB) When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
(Prov 10:19 NLT) Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!
Our tongue can be a most dangerous thing.
(James 3:5 NLT) So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.
Illustration
On September 11, 1995, a squirrel climbed on the Metro-North Railroad power lines near New York City. This set off an electrical surge, which weakened an overhead bracket, which let a wire dangle toward the tracks, which tangled in a train, which tore down all the lines. As a result, 47,000 commuters were stuck in Manhattan for hours that evening.
All because of one loose little squirrel.
We need to communicate with each other. But there can be great value in learning to say things carefully, cautiously, and sometimes not saying too much.
Illustration
Paul Harvey (8-18-93) reports,
Tony Manconi, vacationing in New Hampshire, visited a Nashua church for the service. The pastor’s sermon was very brief, but the pastor explained. He said his family’s new puppy got into his study the night before and chewed up his notes. Afterward at the door, Tony asked, "Pastor, are there any more puppies in that litter? I’d like to take one to my pastor."
:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment:
There are two ways of looking at this phrase, both are true.
prison – `otser – restraint, coercion; oppression
judgment – mishpat – judgment, justice
1) The Hebrew appears to be better translated,
"By oppression and judgment He was taken away" (NAS), or, "He was taken away by an oppressive judicial sentence"The idea here would be that Jesus would be taken away to die through oppression and judgment. This is exactly what happened.
2) The Old Testament also has an ancient translation from Hebrew into Greek, known as the "Septuagint". This was the translation used often by the people and writers of the New Testament. When Philip met the Ethiopian Eunuch, the version of Isaiah 53 that is quoted as being read by the Eunuch is identical to that of the Septuagint. It reads a little different in this verse –
(Acts 8:33 NLT) He was humiliated and received no justice.
The idea here is that Jesus was humiliated so much by those who arrested Him, that He would not be receiving a fair trial.
(Mark 14:55-59 NLT) Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would testify against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But their efforts were in vain. {56} Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other. {57} Finally, some men stood up to testify against him with this lie: {58} "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.'" {59} But even then they didn't get their stories straight!
:8 and who shall declare his generation?
declare – siyach – to put forth, mediate, muse, commune, speak, complain, ponder, sing
generation – dowr – period, generation, habitation, dwelling
Two possible ways to look at this.
1)
The idea is that of the people in Jesus’ day, which one of them would have imagined that He was being sacrificed for the sins of the world?
2)
(NIV) And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.(NLT) But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins--that he was suffering their punishment?
The idea is that Jesus would have no earthly descendants because He was killed before having children.
3) A Jewish translation, the Targum reads,
and the wonderful things which shall be done for us in his days, who can declare?
:8 for he was cut off out of the land of the living
cut off – gazar – to cut, cut down, cut off; to be destroyed. He would die. Not the thing you’d expect from a King that was supposed to deliver your nation from enemy oppression. Daniel also prophesies concerning the death of the Messiah:
Da 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:…
Lesson
Preach Jesus to them.
This is where the Philip found the Ethiopian Eunuch reading in Isaiah:
(Acts 8:30-35 KJV) And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? {31} And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. {32} The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: {33} In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. {34} And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? {35} Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
As we’ve seen, it’s really not all that difficult to see Jesus in Isaiah 53. It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it?
:8 for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
transgression – pesha` – transgression, rebellion
stricken – nega` – stroke, plague, disease, mark, plague spot
Jesus died for my sins. This is the good news, the gospel.
:9 And he made his grave with the wicked
grave – qeber – grave, sepulchre, tomb
wicked – rasha` – wicked, criminal; guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)
Isaiah is saying that there would be something about the Messiah’s death that would put him in the company of wicked people.
Mt 27:38 Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
:9 and with the rich in his death
rich – `ashiyr – rich, wealthy; the rich, the wealthy, rich man
Here’s part of the prophecy that makes Jesus’ death and burial an amazing prophecy. If this person was going to be unjustly judged (vs.8) and killed, it would be appropriate for the body to be treated like that of a criminal and not buried but just tossed in the garbage heap, in the valley of "Gehenna". Yet here Isaiah relates that the Messiah’s death was also going to be somehow linked to a wealthy person.
In fact, this would be an important part of Jesus’ death. If His body had not been properly buried, and in fact guarded by a contingent of Roman soldiers, then it would be harder to prove the resurrection.
Nicodemus, a wealthy ruler of the Jews took part in Jesus’ burial:
(John 19:39-40 KJV) And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. {40} Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
Joseph of Arimathaea, a rich man, buried Jesus in his own tomb:
(Mat 27:57-60 KJV) When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: {58} He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. {59} And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, {60} And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
:9 because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
violence – chamac – violence, wrong, cruelty, injustice
deceit – mirmah – deceit, treachery
(NIV) though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth
Lesson
Handling a harsh boss
Peter makes an application from Isaiah 53. Watch how Isaiah 53 is woven into the things that Peter says.
(1 Pet 2:18-25 KJV) Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward
(harsh, unreasonable).Peter is telling the employees to learn to obey what their bosses tell them. And he isn’t just talking about the nice bosses, but even the harsh ones.
{19} For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. {20} For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
God is pleased when we learn to do what is right, even when it means that we endure "grief, suffering wrongfully".
{21} For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Jesus is going to be our example to follow. What would Jesus do?
Peter is now going to quote from Isaiah 53 –
{22} Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Quoting from Isaiah 53:9.
{23} Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
This will be Peter’s interpretation of Isaiah 53:9. More in a minute.
{24} Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Peter is making vague references to Isaiah 53:4 (borne our griefs), 53:5 ("wounded for our transgressions … stripes …")
{25} For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Again, quoting Isa 53:6. Instead of going astray, we now have a Shepherd to follow, Jesus.
vs.23 - Peter gave us three things that demonstrated how Jesus "did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth"
{23} Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1. Don’t return hurt with hurt.
Too often we play "tit for tat" when we argue. Someone says something that hurts our feelings and we feel obligated to fire back with something to hurt them just as much.
Illustration
British author and playwright George Bernard Shaw once sent Sir Winston Churchill two tickets to the opening night's performance of one of his plays. Accompanying the tickets was Shaw's terse note, "Bring a friend if you have one."
Churchill, also adept at saying a lot in a few words, replied: "I'll wait for the second night if there is one."
That’s how not to react.
(Prov 15:1 NASB) A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2. Don’t threaten.
Imagine what kinds of things Jesus could have threatened with! "If you guys don’t stop spitting on Me, I’ll turn you all into worms!"
Husbands and wives – please don’t threaten each other with divorce or leaving. It doesn’t do anything to resolve the problems and only serves to fracture the bond you have between each other.
3. Let God handle it.
It’s hard to let go of things, wait, and see what God will do. I usually want to take things into my own hands and try to fix them right away.