Isaiah 42:1. Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Verily this prophecy is concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. Observe the title which he takes. He is called the servant of God. The Father calls him his servant. Above all others is Christ the servant of the Highest deigning to become the servant of servants, though he is the King of kings. "Whom I uphold" - which may be read two ways. According to some renderings it should be, "Whom I lean upon" - as if God leant the full weight of his glory upon Christ, and gave over the work of grace into his hands, that is, if the passage be read passively. If actively, it runs as in our text, "Whom I uphold." And both are true. God leans upon Christ. Christ draws his strength from God. They co-work, and mutual is the glory. "Mine elect." That is first. "My choice one," for there is none so choice as Christ. "My elected one," for Christ is the head of election. We are chosen in him from before the foundation of the world so that specially does God call him "Mine elect." "In whom my soul delighteth." The delight of the Father in the Son is infinite. He delighted in his person. Now he delights in the work which he has accomplished. The delight of the Father is in Christ, and he delights in us because we are in him. If, indeed, we are members of Christ, he is well pleased with us for Christ’s sake. "In whom my soul delighteth." "I have put my Spirit upon him." That was publicly done when he was baptized in the Jordan. The Spirit without measure rests and abides on him, our covenant head. "He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles." Rejoice then, ye Gentiles. You are no longer excluded. At first the word came to the Jews only, but he has given the man, Christ Jesus, who has brought forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Isaiah 42:1. Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Verily this prophecy is concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. Observe the title which he takes. He is called the servant of God. The Father calls him his servant. Above all others is Christ the servant of the Highest deigning to become the servant of servants, though he is the King of kings. "Whom I uphold" - which may be read two ways. According to some renderings it should be, "Whom I lean upon" - as if God leant the full weight of his glory upon Christ, and gave over the work of grace into his hands, that is, if the passage be read passively. If actively, it runs as in our text, "Whom I uphold." And both are true. God leans upon Christ. Christ draws his strength from God. They co-work, and mutual is the glory. "Mine elect." That is first. "My choice one," for there is none so choice as Christ. "My elected one," for Christ is the head of election. We are chosen in him from before the foundation of the world so that specially does God call him "Mine elect." "In whom my soul delighteth." The delight of the Father in the Son is infinite. He delighted in his person. Now he delights in the work which he has accomplished. The delight of the Father is in Christ, and he delights in us because we are in him. If, indeed, we are members of Christ, he is well pleased with us for Christ’s sake. "In whom my soul delighteth." "I have put my Spirit upon him." That was publicly done when he was baptized in the Jordan. The Spirit without measure rests and abides on him, our covenant head. "He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles." Rejoice then, ye Gentiles. You are no longer excluded. At first the word came to the Jews only, but he has given the man, Christ Jesus, who has brought forth judgment to the Gentiles.