Isaiah 42:10-17

A ‘new thing’ calls forth a ‘’new song’’ (1). The description of the Lord’s servant (1-9) evokes this song of praise, envisioning new blessings still to come. God is going to do something great, and the call to sing to Him goes out to people everywhere. The choir will be formed from all peoples and all creatures. Isaiah hands out song sheets all round! He doesn’t want anyone not joining in. They’re written in every language. It has been pointed out that outbursts of singing are a feature of these chapters (see 44:23; 49:13; 52:9 etc.), as they are of chapters 24-27. They are closely akin to Psalms 93, and 95-100 in theme and language. In (13) Isaiah sees the Lord leading His people in triumph; He will lead them out of bondage in Babylon. Ultimately, in the day when the Messiah comes, He will bring them out of the biggest bondage, which is slavery to sin. Here is a magnificent theme for a worldwide song. (The mention of Israel’s bitter rivals, ‘Kedar’ and ‘Sela’, demonstrate the breadth of God’s grace. Former enemies of God and His people will experience His great salvation.)

‘’…sing his praises all over the world! Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause, with all the far-flung islands joining in. Let the desert and its camps raise a tune, calling the Kedar nomads to join in. Let the villagers in Sela round up a choir and perform from the tops of the mountains. Make GOD’s glory resound; echo his praises from coast to coast. The Message.

In (14-17) the Lord again speaks. He has ‘’kept silent’’ during Israel’s exile, but now He will act (14). The time has come for Israel to be ‘delivered’ from captivity, just as the time comes for a baby to be delivered: ‘’But now I’m letting loose, letting go, like a woman who’s having a baby –‘’ The Message. The Lord will level the mountains and dry up the rivers so that His people can travel home the more easily (15, 16). There will be a new exodus. The people will have a personal guide: ‘’But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way, who can’t see where they’re going. I’ll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don’t fall into the ditch.’’ The Message.

God may seem to be silent and inactive for a long time (14). However, there will come a ‘’But now’’ moment when ‘’GOD steps out like he means business…’’ The Message (13). Don’t lose patience with the Lord. His time to act will come. That means your time will come too!

The folly of idolatry is a major theme in the second part of Isaiah, and here we have another reference to it in (17): ‘’But those who invested in the no-gods are bankrupt – dead broke.’’ The Message. But if our hope and trust is in the living God, we need not doubt in His unfailing power and ultimate triumph.

Prayer: Lord please guide me through all life. I need you to lead me through dark situations and rough places (16b) to the glorious destination you have planned for me at journey’s end