Isaiah 50
Big idea: The third servant passage, and it is the first one to describe injury: a back given to those who beat it, cheeks to those who pulled out the beard, and a face not hidden from spitting — by someone who says he was not rebellious and did not turn back.
The 'face like flint' of verse 7 is echoed at Luke 9:51, where Jesus sets his face to go to Jerusalem.
50:1–11 — I set my face like a flint
The chapter opens with two legal questions that both expect the answer no. Where is your mother's certificate of divorce, with which I sent her away? Or which of my creditors did I sell you to? There is no divorce document and no sale contract, because neither happened. You were sold for your iniquities, and your mother was sent away for your transgressions. And then the challenge: why was there nobody when I came? Why did no one answer when I called? Is my hand shortened at all, that it can't redeem? The capability is not the problem.
1 Yahweh says, “Where is the bill of your mother’s divorce, with which I have put her away? Or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Behold, you were sold for your iniquities, and your mother was put away for your transgressions. 2 Why, when I came, was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it can’t 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 stink because there is no water, and die of thirst. 3 I clothe the heavens with blackness. I make sackcloth their covering.” 4 The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary. He awakens morning by morning, he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. 5 The Lord Yahweh has opened my ear. I was not rebellious. I have not turned back. 6 I gave my back to those who beat me, and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair. I didn’t hide my face from shame and spitting. 7 For the Lord Yahweh will help me. Therefore I have not been confounded. Therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I won’t be disappointed. 8 He who justifies me is near. Who will bring charges against me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. 9 Behold, the Lord Yahweh will help me! Who is he who will condemn me? Behold, they will all grow old like a garment. The moths will eat them up. 10 Who among you fears Yahweh and obeys the voice of his servant? He who walks in darkness and has no light, let him trust in Yahweh’s name, and rely on his God. 11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who adorn yourselves with torches around yourselves, walk in the flame of your fire, and among the torches that you have kindled. You will have this from my hand: you will lie down in sorrow.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).