Day 161 · Part 9: Exile

The Servant of the Lord

Isa 49:1–6, 49:13–16, 50:4–9, 51:3, 51:11, 52:7–10, 52:13–54:10, 55 · 60 verses

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In the Story

Chapter 14: The Servant of the LordAbout 5 minutes, or listen

In context

These chapters speak of the Lord’s servant, called “from the womb” and given “as a light to the nations” (Isaiah 49:1–6). When Zion says, “the Lord has forgotten me,” he answers that a mother may forget her nursing child, “yet I will not forget you,” and, “I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (49:14–16).

Chapter 53 tells of a servant who “was despised and rejected by men,” who “was pierced for our transgressions,” by whose wounds “we are healed”; “All we like sheep have gone astray” (53:3–6). In Acts an Ethiopian official reading this chapter asks whom the prophet is talking about, and Philip, “beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus” (Acts 8:32–35). Readers have understood the servant in different ways.

Then come promises and invitations: “the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed, but my loving kindness will not depart from you” (Isaiah 54:10); “Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters”; and the Lord’s word “will not return to me void” (55:1, 11).

A word of hope

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds. For you were going astray like sheep; but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 2:24–25 · Isaiah says “by his wounds we are healed” and “All we like sheep have gone astray”; Peter writes of Jesus, “You were healed by his wounds.”

For families

When Zion says the Lord has forgotten her, he answers, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?” and says, “I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:14–16).

What is something a mother or grandmother in your family remembers, or remembered, about you?

In the Bible

World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).

A hymn for today

The Old Rugged Cross · words by George Bennard

Organ and orchestra: an introduction, then each of the 4 verses. Tap a verse’s number to start there.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,The emblem of suff'ring and shame;And I love that old cross where the dearest and bestFor a world of lost sinners was slain.
RefrainSo I'll cherish the old rugged cross,Till my trophies at last I lay down;I will cling to the old rugged cross,And exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,Has a wondrous attraction for me;For the dear Lamb of God left His glory aboveTo bear it to dark Calvary.
RefrainSo I'll cherish the old rugged cross,Till my trophies at last I lay down;I will cling to the old rugged cross,And exchange it some day for a crown.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,A wondrous beauty I see,For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,To pardon and sanctify me.
RefrainSo I'll cherish the old rugged cross,Till my trophies at last I lay down;I will cling to the old rugged cross,And exchange it some day for a crown.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;Its shame and reproach gladly bear;Then He'll call me some day to my home far away,Where His glory forever I'll share.
RefrainSo I'll cherish the old rugged cross,Till my trophies at last I lay down;I will cling to the old rugged cross,And exchange it some day for a crown.

The Servant of the Lord

In the Story

In context

For families

In the Bible

Isaiah 49:1–6

Isaiah 49:13–16

Isaiah 50:4–9

Isaiah 51:3

Isaiah 51:11

Isaiah 52:7–10

Isaiah 52:13–15

Isaiah 53

Isaiah 54:1–10

Isaiah 55

A hymn for today