The servant endured the following three things in verses 52:14 - 53:10.
• He was disfigured and his form marred (52:14)
• He was despised and rejected; oppressed and afflicted (53:3, 7)
• He suffered with sinners’ pain, being pierced, crushed, and punished for the sins of others, not his own (53:4, 5, 8, 9)
If I had lived during Isaiah’s time, the description in the middle verses would be somewhat difficult to reconcile with those in the first and last verses. I would see from the first verse that the Messiah would be elevated to a place of authority and honor, but then immediately I see that his face is disfigured and his body marred. I would see that there was nothing about his appearance that would draw people to him, and that he would actually be rejected by people. This seems contradictory to the first verse.
I read about his undeserved punishment, physical abuse, oppression, and affliction. This all seems to go against the last verse that paints him as a strong and victorious warrior.
If I were wise and astute, though, I would see a shift in verse 10 and realize that, although awful and difficult to read, the Lord would orchestrate all of this for my own good! I would see that the Messiah would suffer so I wouldn’t have to and realize that the Messiah’s suffering and sacrifice, not his physical battle victories, are what would earn him the “spoils” discussed in 53:12. After reading all of the verses, my expectation would be for a humble, suffering, obedient servant of God. Of course, this perspective is clouded by the fact that I already know what kind of Messiah arrived! I believe someone reading this in Isaiah’s time would be confused because of what would seem to be contradictions in the text.
• He was disfigured and his form marred (52:14)
• He was despised and rejected; oppressed and afflicted (53:3, 7)
• He suffered with sinners’ pain, being pierced, crushed, and punished for the sins of others, not his own (53:4, 5, 8, 9)
If I had lived during Isaiah’s time, the description in the middle verses would be somewhat difficult to reconcile with those in the first and last verses. I would see from the first verse that the Messiah would be elevated to a place of authority and honor, but then immediately I see that his face is disfigured and his body marred. I would see that there was nothing about his appearance that would draw people to him, and that he would actually be rejected by people. This seems contradictory to the first verse.
I read about his undeserved punishment, physical abuse, oppression, and affliction. This all seems to go against the last verse that paints him as a strong and victorious warrior.
If I were wise and astute, though, I would see a shift in verse 10 and realize that, although awful and difficult to read, the Lord would orchestrate all of this for my own good! I would see that the Messiah would suffer so I wouldn’t have to and realize that the Messiah’s suffering and sacrifice, not his physical battle victories, are what would earn him the “spoils” discussed in 53:12. After reading all of the verses, my expectation would be for a humble, suffering, obedient servant of God. Of course, this perspective is clouded by the fact that I already know what kind of Messiah arrived! I believe someone reading this in Isaiah’s time would be confused because of what would seem to be contradictions in the text.