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"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." (5) "But he was wounded (pierced) for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (6) "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." -Isaiah 53:4-6
These verses describe the reasons why the Messiah was despised and rejected, and eventually killed (Isaiah 53:8-9). According to verse 4, the children of Israel would originally believe that God punished Him because of what He had done. However, verses 5 and 6 state that there will come a day when Israel will realize that they had been wrong. In reality, the Messiah was wounded and pierced for their transgressions, He was bruised for their iniquities, and with His stripes they are healed. He was not punished for His sins; He was punished for their sins! By the LORD laying Israel's iniquities and sins upon the Messiah, He became their sin-bearer.
According to Leviticus 16:21 describing Yom Kippur and the Day of Atonement, Aaron placed his hands on the head of a live goat and confessed all of the iniquities, transgressions and sins of the people over it. The scapegoat became Israel's sin-bearer:
This sacrificial system was the original way the LORD provided by which Israel received atonement for their sins. The Bible teaches that the penalty for sin is death (Genesis 2:17, Romans 6:23). By these sacrifices, God was demonstrating that animals had to die 'in place of' the sinner, as a vicarious sacrifice. During the days of Moses, this became necessary because the sinner needed to be saved from death, which is the penalty for sin. The animal paid the penalty.
In Isaiah 53:4-6, the prophet shows that God's righteous servant, the Messiah, would become mankind's sin-bearer and pay the penalty for sin by His suffering and death. The Messiah's death for sin becomes critical in mankind's relationship with God and is the basis and foundation for the New Covenant, and the new way which God forgives sins. Jeremiah 31:31-34 states:
When an individual is wounded, pierced, bruised, and struck with a whip, much blood is shed. Through the New Covenant established by the shed blood of God's righteous Messiah, the children of Israel would be saved from the penalty of their sin, which is death.
Here is another interesting observation: According to Isaiah 40:10-11, the LORD's arm is likened to a shepherd as follows:
According to Zechariah 13:7, the LORD's shepherd is smitten (stricken heavily). Zechariah 13:1 explains the reason why he is stricken. The applicable Scriptures follow:
In Zechariah 13:7, the LORD speaks while making a reference to "my shepherd" and "my fellow." These are obviously terms of high respect and endearment. Zechariah 13:7 shows that the LORD's shepherd was stricken and Zechariah 13:1 explains why He was stricken. He was stricken for the sin and uncleanness of others.
According to Isaiah 40:10-11, the LORD's arm is likened to a shepherd. Therefore, it is clear that Zechariah's reference to "my shepherd" in Zechariah 13:7 is connected with Isaiah's "arm of the LORD" in Isaiah 53:1. These verses refer to the same servant, God's righteous Messiah, who would suffer and die for the sins of others.
In John 10:14-15, Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (15) As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep."
Based on the conclusions obtained as a result of this analysis, let us place the subject alongside the pronouns in Isaiah 53:4-6. The passage now reads:
(4) "Surely he (the Messiah) hath borne our (Isaiah's people, Israel) griefs, and carried our (Isaiah's people, Israel) sorrows: yet we (Isaiah's people, Israel) did esteem him (the Messiah) stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." (5) "But he (the Messiah) was wounded [pierced] for our (Isaiah's people, Israel) transgressions, he (the Messiah) was bruised for our (Isaiah's people, Israel) iniquities: the chastisement of our (Isaiah's people, Israel) peace was upon him (the Messiah); and with his (the Messiah's) stripes we (Isaiah's people, Israel) are healed." (6) "All we (Isaiah's people, Israel) like sheep have gone astray; we (Isaiah's people, Israel) have turned every one to his (Isaiah's people, Israel) own way; and the LORD hath laid on him (the Messiah) the iniquity of us (Isaiah's people, Israel) all."
"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, 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." -Isaiah 53:7
This verse establishes that the Messiah would not complain or resist when under oppression and affliction. He would willingly suffered for the sin of mankind. This was first mentioned in Isaiah chapter 50:5-7 that states as follows:
The Messiah would not be rebellious. Verse 6 illustrates that He gave His back to the smiters, those who would strike Him, and He gave His cheeks to those who would pluck out His hair. Moreover, He did not hide His face from shame and spitting. He did all of this willingly, and with no regret. In the New Testament, Hebrews 12:2 states, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Did Jesus complain when He was oppressed and tormented? Did He go willingly to His death? The answer: He went to His death just as Isaiah 50:5-7 and Isaiah 53:7 foretold the Messiah should act. He was not rebellious! In the New Testament, Jesus stated:
According to Matthew 26:50-54, when they took Jesus away from the garden of Gethsemane to be tried and ultimately crucified, He did not complain:
From these passages, it is clear that Jesus told his friends to put their swords away. According to Him, the time had come for the Scriptures to be fulfilled. He never complained and went willingly to His death.
When Jesus was taken from near the garden of Gethsemane and placed into prison, the following events took place: They whipped Him and scourged Him. They pulled the beard from His face. They made Him a crown of thorns. They mocked Him, spat at Him and drove nails into His hands and His feet. They hung Him on a cross to die a criminal's death.
Did Jesus demonstrate anger toward those who persecuted Him? Did He curse at them? One of the last things Jesus said before He died so horribly is recorded in Luke 23:34, which states, "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
Based on these conclusions, placing the appropriate subject alongside the pronouns in Isaiah 53:7, it now reads:
"He (the Messiah) was oppressed, and he (the Messiah) was afflicted, yet he (the Messiah) opened not his (the Messiah's) mouth: he (the Messiah) is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he (the Messiah) openeth not his (the Messiah's) mouth."
"He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. (9) And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth." -Isaiah 53:8-9
These verses teach that the Messiah would be "cut off out of the land of the living." Cut off means to be killed. The reason for His punishment was "for the transgression of my people." The Messiah would die to pay the penalty for the sins of His people, and not for Himself.
The Scriptures teach that God would only accept a pure and unblemished offering for sin. It has also been shown that we all sin, with no exceptions! However, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). According to John 1:29, He was the perfect and spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The applicable Scriptures follow:
As we have seen, the arm of the LORD is a reference to the Messiah and, according to Isaiah 52:10, the Lord's arm is holy. Therefore, the Messiah must be holy. Since Jesus the Messiah was without sin, He qualifies as the holy arm of the LORD.
In addition to being holy, the Bible teaches that the Messiah would be righteous. The prophet Jeremiah calls the Branch a righteous King and "THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" in Jeremiah 23:5-6. Furthermore, Isaiah 11:5 reveals that righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins. The applicable Scriptures follow:
Regarding Isaiah 53:8, the prophet also speaks of a servant who would be cut off for "my people." Isaiah's people are Israel; God's people are Israel. In the Scriptures, the term "my people" refers to Israel (Exodus 3:7). Isaiah refers to Israel as my people just a few verses prior to this fourth Servant Song. Regarding Israel, Isaiah 52:4-6 states:
It is clear that Isaiah 53:8 teaches that God's servant, the Messiah, would suffer and die for the iniquities, transgressions and sins of Israel. Israel is "my people" or God's people in this verse.
Based on these conclusions, placing the appropriate subject alongside the pronouns in Isaiah 53:8, it now reads:
"He (the Messiah) was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he (the Messiah) was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people (Israel, Isaiah's people) was he (the Messiah) stricken."
With respect to Isaiah 53:9, the verse is clear that there "was no deceit in his mouth." Isaiah 11:2 reveals that the Messiah would have the fear of the LORD. Certainly, those who have the fear of the LORD do not have deceit in their mouths. In the New Testament, Hebrews 5:7 teaches that Jesus the Messiah feared the LORD and, because of this, is the fulfillment of Isaiah 11:2:
"And he (the LORD) made his (the Messiah's) grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his (refers to the rich) death; because he (the Messiah) had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his (the Messiah's) mouth."
"Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand." -Isaiah 53:10
Why would it please the LORD to bruise Him and put Him to grief? The answer is clear: Through the shed blood, suffering and death of the Messiah, mankind is now reconciled with the holy God of Israel. Though sin had entered into the world and had succeeded in separating everyone from their beloved Creator, the LORD Himself has now provided the New Covenant through which sins can be forgiven. God sent the Messiah to redeem mankind from sin.
When the covenant at Sinai was established, the seventy of Israel, including Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, were allowed to enter into the presence of Almighty God after being sprinkled with the blood of the covenant (Exodus 24:5-10). In similar fashion, we are now allowed to enter into God's presence through the blood of the New Covenant, the Messiah's blood that was provided at the crucifixion at Calvary. Hebrews 10:17-20 states:
It is the LORD Himself who shall see His son, His seed, and shall prolong His days. Hence, the resurrection! The Messiah is the Son of God who can rightfully claim that God is His Father. God refers to the Messiah as His Son as is shown in Psalm 2:6-7:
In Isaiah 53:10, the Hebrew word zera is used, Strong's 2233. It is translated seed. Although this word can refer to a physical seed, it also translates child or offspring. Examples of this can be found in both Leviticus 22:13 and 1Samuel 1:11:
With reference to Isaiah 53:10, the LORD sees His seed, His Son, and prolongs His days. This can certainly apply to the resurrection of Jesus Christ where it states in Acts 13:33, Romans 1:4 and Romans 10:9 the following:
Based on these illustrations, placing the appropriate subject alongside the pronouns in Isaiah 53:10, it now reads:
"Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him (the Messiah); he (the LORD) hath put him (the Messiah) to grief: when thou (the LORD) shalt make his (the Messiah's) soul an offering for sin, he (the LORD) shall see his (the LORD's) seed, he (the LORD) shall prolong his (the Messiah's) days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his (the Messiah's) hand."
"He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities." -Isaiah 53:11
According to this verse, the Messiah will bear our iniquities. This has already been established in Isaiah 53:5-6. This verse also illustrates that God's suffering Messiah would have two attributes. First, He will possess knowledge, and secondly, He will be righteous. These characteristics certainly apply to the Messiah and have already been established in Isaiah's first Servant Song. Isaiah 42:6, regarding the Messiah, refers to Him as "a light of the Gentiles" and called "in righteousness:"
With respect to knowledge, Isaiah 11:1-2 foretells that the Messiah would have the spirit of wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Meanwhile, Isaiah 11:5 and Jeremiah 23:5-6 both refer to a righteous Messiah. As a result, the Messiah must be the subject of Isaiah 53:11.
Jesus Christ possessed both of these characteristics. He was righteous before God, and He had the knowledge that Isaiah said the Messiah would have. The verses to show how He fulfilled Isaiah 53:11 follow:
One other note: The Hebrew word for righteous is tsaddiyq, Strong's 6662. This word not only translates 'righteous,' it also translates 'just.' This word is also used in Zechariah 9:9 and refers to King Messiah coming into Jerusalem: "he is just/righteous (tsaddiyq), and having salvation, lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." According to Matthew 21:4-9, Jesus fulfilled this prophecy.
Based on these conclusions, placing the appropriate subject alongside the pronouns in Isaiah 53:11, it now reads:
"He (the LORD) shall see of the travail of his (the Messiah's) soul, and shall be satisfied: by his (the Messiah's) knowledge shall my (the LORD's) righteous servant (the Messiah) justify many; for he (the Messiah) shall bear their (Israel's) iniquities."
"Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." -Isaiah 53:12
In the final verse of this chapter, the Messiah takes possession of the spoils in victory. Spoils are taken from an enemy when he is defeated in a war or in a battle. The spoils that are referred to in this verse are also mentioned in Zechariah chapter 14. Here, Zechariah indicates that a great battle will take place when all nations come against Jerusalem. Zechariah 14:1-4 states:
Zechariah 14:12 prophesies the defeat of Israel's enemies as follows, "And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth."
Zechariah 14:14 plainly shows how these spoils will be obtained, "And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance."
When the LORD goes forth and fights against the nations that come against Jerusalem, His feet will stand on the mount of Olives. Although Zechariah 14:12 teaches that the LORD will smite all the nations that come against Jerusalem, those who fight with Him will be rewarded. These are the spoils referred to in Isaiah 53:12, the spoils gathered in victory.
The following question could be asked: What does this great battle have to do with the suffering Messiah in Isaiah chapter 53, specifically verse 12? The answer is provided in Zechariah 12:10-14 which explains that it would be the LORD, the Messiah, the One who was pierced, who would return and fight for His people:
All of the children of Israel who remain will see Him, the one who was pierced. They will all mourn for Him. What will happen after this mourning and repentance takes place? The answer is provided in the next verse. Zechariah 13:1 indicates that there will be forgiveness of sin:
"In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness."
According to Isaiah 53:12, the Messiah poured out his soul unto death, was numbered with the transgressors, bared the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem lowly and riding on a donkey (Matthew 21:4-9, Zechariah 9:9) He was just, and having salvation. When He returns with the clouds of heaven (Daniel 7:13-14, Zechariah 12:10, Zechariah 14:3-4) He will defeat Israel's enemies. He, as the Messiah, will execute judgment and righteousness in the earth (Jeremiah 23:5-6, Jeremiah 33:15-16, Revelation 19:11-16), and establish His kingdom which will last forever (Isaiah 9:7 KJV, Daniel 2:44-45, Daniel 7:13-14, Micah 4:7, Luke 1:30-33).
It is Jesus the Messiah who redeemed mankind from their sins. As a result of His suffering, death and humiliation, His reward is great. He can ask for anything because the entire world belongs to Him. Regarding the LORD's begotten Son, Psalms 2:6-8 concludes:
"Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. (7) I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (8) Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."
Finally, Isaiah 53:12 states that the Messiah, as King and Priest, will make intercession for transgressors. Zechariah 6:12-13, Psalm 110:4 and Psalm 2:6-7 support and attest to a Messiah who sits and rules upon His throne as both King and Priest, holding two offices. In the New Testament, Hebrews 5:5-6 teaches that Jesus is the fulfillment of all prophecies pointing to a Messiah who shares the responsibilities of both offices:
Notes
| 32. | John McTernan & Louis Ruggiero in their book: Jesus of Nazareth: King Messiah, chapter 7, pp 90-116 (Oklahoma City, OK: Hearthstone Publishing, 2002). |