Isaiah Fifty

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

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Isaiah 50:1 Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

Isaiah 50:2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.

Isaiah 50:3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

Isaiah 50:4 The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

tongue of the learned. This passage, especially Isaiah 50:4-9, speaks prophetically of the Messiah as God's suffering servant, Jesus in His humanity. He spoke words such as no man could speak (Luke 2:40, 47; John 7:46; Matthew 7:28-29; 13:54, etc.).

Isaiah 50:5 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.

opened mine ear. The opening of His ear was in reference to the boring of a hole in the ear of a servant willing to remain with his master instead of claiming his freedom (Exodus 21:2-6), symbolic of listening only to the word of his lord (compare John 5:30).

Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

to the smiters. Fulfilled when Jesus was arrested and brought before the high priest Caiphas (Matthew 26:67; 27:26).

Isaiah 50:7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

like a flint. See Luke 9:53. Knowing that He would face death in Jerusalem, Christ nevertheless determined to go, for this was the Father's will and the only way to save lost sinners.

Isaiah 50:8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

Isaiah 50:9 Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

Isaiah 50:10 Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

Isaiah 50:11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.