Isaiah 50:1-11
The Servant's Obedient Ear
1This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.
2Why was no one there when I arrived? Why did no one answer when I called? Is My hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you? Behold, My rebuke dries up the sea; I turn the rivers into a desert; the fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.
3I clothe the heavens in black and make sackcloth their covering.”
4The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.
5The Lord GOD has opened My ears, and I have not been rebellious, nor have I turned back.
6I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.
7Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.
8The One who vindicates Me is near. Who will dare to contend with Me? Let us confront each other! Who has a case against Me? Let him approach Me!
9Surely the Lord GOD helps Me. Who is there to condemn Me? See, they will all wear out like a garment; the moths will devour them.
10Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God.
11Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who array yourselves with firebrands, walk in the light of your fire and of the firebrands you have lit! This is what you will receive from My hand: You will lie down in a place of torment.
Berean Standard Bible
The LORD asks where Israel's certificate of divorce is and to whom He sold them. The answer is that Israel was sold because of its iniquities and its mother was sent away because of its transgressions. God has not lost power; sin has created the separation.
The servant says the Sovereign LORD has given him an instructed tongue to know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning, the LORD awakens his ear to listen like one being taught. The servant does not arrive with self-made wisdom; he receives a word and hears it.
He does not resist or turn away. He gives his back to those who strike him and his cheeks to those who pull his beard. He does not hide his face from mocking and spittle because the Sovereign LORD helps him.
The servant sets his face like flint and knows he will not be put to shame. Those who walk in darkness are told to trust the name of the LORD and rely on their God. Those who kindle their own fire will lie down in torment; self-made light cannot replace trust.
Questions
1 Why was Israel sent away?
AnswerIsrael was sent away because of its iniquities and transgressions, not because the LORD lacked power.
2 What does the servant receive each morning?
AnswerHe receives an instructed tongue and an awakened ear so he can listen and sustain the weary.
3 How does he respond to abuse?
AnswerHe does not resist or hide; he gives himself to the humiliation while trusting the Sovereign LORD.
4 What are those in darkness told to do?
AnswerThey are told to trust the LORD's name and rely on their God.
What This Means for Us
The servant's strength begins with listening. Before he speaks a word to the weary, he allows the LORD to teach him.
Give your household a slower way to answer tired people. Listen before correcting, receive God's instruction before offering advice, and do not manufacture confidence when you need to rely on Him.
Prayer
Sovereign Lord, awaken our ears each morning. Teach us words that sustain the weary, courage to endure shame without retaliation, and trust when our own light fails. Amen.