Learning to Speak by First Listening

v.4

The Sovereign LORD – Yahweh almighty – the sovereign one – the one who is high over all, this is who the servant has been receiving instruction from.

has given me – his teaching of the servant has produced this….

an instructed tongue – a tongue that has been trained.

to know the word – to know what to say. In the 2 nd Song we noted (49:2) that words will be an important part of the servant's ministry.

that sustains the weary – to lift up the weary. Somehow his words will encourage and pick up and give hope to those who are weary and feel like giving up. In the 1 st Song (42:3) we see that he will be there for those who are coming to the end of themselves.

He wakens me – how does he do that? He wakens the servant in the morning – a sense of purposeful waking up – being woken to get on with preparation.

morning by morning – it happens every morning, this is an ongoing process.

wakens my ear to listen – he teaches the servant first to be a listener –

like one being taught. – you can't learn until you first listen.

Oh Lord, teach me what to say that my life, my words will encourage. lift and and give hope to those who are downcast and exhausted.

v.5

The Sovereign LORD - again it is the almighty One who has done this.

has opened my ears – he has taught me to listen, to be open to hear Him and hear what is going on around me.

and I have not been rebellious – the servant submitted and in no way rejected what was coming.

I have not drawn back. – in no way did the learning servant draw back from the lessons he was receiving.

Lord, as much as I can, I declare that I will be obedient, I will respond. Open my ears to hear.

Recognising the toughness of the assignment

v.6

I offered my back – the above was the first part of his ministry (1 st 3 years). This is now the climax of his ministry. It was a submitting to those who took hold of him.

to those who beat me – they were going to violently come against him and beat him – so it happened to Jesus. First comes his back, then his front -

my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard – next comes the abuse on his face – most painful

I did not hide my face – again he did not hold back but took it full on.

from mocking and spitting – if wasn't only physical, but verbal and mental abuse. Lord teach me to be one who perseveres in the face of opposition. Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you went through this for me.

Yet being encouraged

v.7

Because – the servant can cope with the toughness because of certain things

the Sovereign LORD helps me – God Almighty is there for Him. That is THE most encouraging thing.

I will not be disgraced – it may look bad but at the end of the day he will not be disgraced.

Therefore – so, because of this…

have I set my face like flint – he has determined to go through with this.

and – but also, there is more…

I know I will not be put to shame – reiteration, that this will be all right. It will be tough but at the end of it the servant will be vindicated.

Thank you Lord that you are my help, that you are with me and that as you lead me, so I will not be disgraced.

v.8

He who vindicates me - He knows God is there for him. God will show that what he does is right. In the eyes of others he is a failure but in God's eyes and subsequently to many, he will be seen to be right.

is near – God is close by His servant – with the sense of God nearby the servant is OK.

Who then will bring charges against me? – So if God is with me and for me, does it matter who sets themselves against me?

Let us face each other! – Come on, come out into the open, face me.

Who is my accuser? – Who will accuse me, who dares come against me with God on my side?

Let him confront me! – Come on, dare it, confront me and tell me what I've done wrong.

Lord, teach me that it does not matter what others say.

v.9

It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me – God Almighty is on my side. Note that again and again he reiterates that it is Yahweh, the ever present One, the all-powerful One who is with him and for him. That is critical to his sense of security.

Who is he that will condemn me? – So who is going to be stupid enough to condemn me?

They will all wear out like a garment – they haven't got a long life expectancy.

the moths will eat them up – they're going to get eaten up.

Lord, remind me again of these truths, that the enemies of the Gospel may appear strong for the present, but their end is determined. You are with me, you are for me, you help me. You are my Lord!