Jottings

by J. Miller | Category: Jottings | May 1958

Having written a few words on the subject of Jehovah's Servant, as portrayed in Isaiah 42, we continue the subject from chapter 49. Here is a far-flung message to which the people of the isles of the sea are to listen, amongst whom the people of these, the British isles have had no mean place for hundreds of years, since the blessed gospel of Christ dawned over their hills and forests. The gospel which came, came to stay, and many many have been the hearts and homes in these islands which have rejoiced in the news of a Servant, whom God sent to serve Him in the interests of mankind which God had so much at heart, for He so loved the world as to give His only begotten Son (John 3.16), for His Son was His Servant.

Has it not been, too, that many whose hearts were enlightened by the divine story of the gospel have sailed forth from these islands to bear the news to lands far over the seas? It will never be known how much good has been brought by Christian British people to the peoples of many lands, as in weariness and privation they trudged through hostile countries bearing the banner of the cross and preaching salvation through God's free grace.

The Lord was called from the womb, and while yet unborn His name was given to Joseph, the betrothed husband of Mary, His mother. His name was to be Jesus, a name that sings as it goes in which are all the music and melody of heaven; a name that soothes the infant to sleep, and comforts the aged as they draw near to the gates of death.

Jesus loves me, this I know,

For the Bible tells me so."

Why was the Child to be called Jesus? Because "He shall save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1 21) He was a Saviour from His birth, aye, and was the Saviour of Israel before He was born. He was a born Saviour, as the angel said: " There is born unto you this day in the city of David a Saviour, which

is Christ the Lord" (Luke 1. 11).

He says that Jehovah had made His mouth a sharp sword, and Himself a polished shaft in His quiver. Never in all time nor in the whole earth has anyone laid open the deep inward secrets of the human heart like Jesus of Nazareth, and never were words sent forth as arrows which reached their mark as His words did.

Think of the last assault of His questioners in Matthew 22. First came the Herodians, the political party with their question about Roman taxes. There had been endless and unsolved discussions among the Jews about Roman tribute The Lord solved it all with a penny Whose was the image and superscription? Caesar's! Then give to Caesar his own but also He added give to God what is His. No wonder it says "When they heard it they marvelled and left Him, and went their way." The whole matter was settled in a word or two

Then came the Sadducees ever denying that there was any resurrection Yet their restless spirit was not satisfied that there was none though they hoped there would be none. What they were anxious to know was, if a woman had seven brothers as her husbands who would have the lawful claim to her in the resurrection? Perhaps they had puzzled many a Pharisee, who believed in the resurrection, with their question. Could they puzzle the Lord also "Out flashes the sword of His mouth". Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." He tells them that there is no marriage among resurrected people, but that they are like the angels, and He shows them from the place of the Bush, that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were alive, therefore they would he raised from the dead. Here again there is utter astonishment on the part of His hearers.

Now the Pharisees, when they heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together and a lawyer from among them baited Him with the question about the great commandment of the law. His answer was as clear and devastating as the others it was Love God with your whole being and your neighbour as yourself, and here the legalists of the Jews failed, as all men do.

Then He asked them "What think ye of Christ? Whose Son is He?" And here they stuck, and still do. No man from that day durst ask Him any more questions (Matthew 22. 15-46).

His mouth was indeed a sharp sword.

In Isaiah 49.8 the Servant of Jehovah is called Israel. Indeed, Jacob, who is a type of the Lord as Jehovah's Servant, who was called Israel, because he had striven with God and men and had prevailed, is but the shadow of the Substance, "the body is Christ's," of this and every other shadow of the past (Colossians 2.17). Jacob as Israel (Prince of God) glorified God only in part, as did Israel, the nation which sprang from him, but of the Lord it is said," Thou art My Servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified." Long years after, Jehovah's Servant, standing with His disciples, before He crossed the brook Kidron to the garden of Gethsemane, said in prayer, "I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do" (John 17.4). There was not a dark, murky part in the life of service of Jehovah's Servant.

Yet how despondent He seems, in Isaiah 49.4! It is the complete antithesis of verse 3

"But I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent My strength for nought and vanity: yet surely My judgment is with the Lou]), and My recompence with My God."

How small His lifework seemed at the end! A few in the upper room, and, perchance, fewer at the cross. He looked down on the small group and He saw His mother. John was there, and He spoke to him about caring for His mother. Would His work he but nought and vanity? Nay, verily! God has assessed its value. His recompense is sure. "He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied," for "My righteous Servant" shall "justify many: and He shall bear their iniquities " (Isaiah 53. 11). Multitudes upon multitudes, like the sand on the seashore, shall share in the fruits of the work of Jehovah's Servant in life and in death. Never has there been or will there he such a recompense.

He was formed from the womb to be God's Servant (verse 5). In Hebrews 10.5 it says, "A body didst Thou prepare for Me."

And again:

"I was cast upon Thee from the womb:

Thou art My God from My mother's belly" (Psalm 22.10).

Such a body was never formed since Adam sinned and fell. He was holy, and undefiled in His manhood. In Him there never was any upsurge of sinful thoughts from any cesspool of lust within, as is the case with ourselves. He knew no sin.

He was God's Servant, to bring back Jacob and to gather Israel to God. He died for this purpose (John 11.49.52). But this was too small a matter, there was a much greater purpose in His work of restoration.

"I will also give Thee for a light to the Gentiles, that Thou mayest he My Salvation unto the end of the earth" (verse 6).

Far as the gospel has travelled in this age, it will know a fuller and wider declaration in the age to come, when idols and sham religions have been cast to the moles and hats, and men the world over shall hear and know the sweetness of the Saviour's name and the greatness of His fame.

The Servant of Jehovah who was despised by man and whom the nation of Israel abhorred will be honoured:

"Kings shall see and arise ; princes and they shall worship ; because of the LORD that is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen Thee" (Jehovah's Servant, as in 42.1).

Had there been no acceptable time for the Lord, there would have been none for us who have believed in Him, as in 2 Corinthians 6.2. But He was helped in the day of salvation and His help is ours on whose behalf He wrought. He was preserved, as we have pointed out in our remarks on Isaiah 42, and given for a covenant. He shall raise the land, or establish the earth (R.V., marg.), and make the people to inherit the desolate heritages. How much of Israel's land has lain desolate! but how much more of the earth's surface lies waste! Much more than is in cultivation! But the desert shall blossom as the rose when the

Lord comes (Isaiah 35.1, 2).

J. Miller | May 1958
Jottings