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Category: B'reisheet

Servant of Adonai

B’reisheet (Genesis) 1:1-6:8 | Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 42:5–43:10

Servant of Adonai—This is the main subject of the haftarah for parashat B’reisheet. There are some clear connections in the text which may explain its association to parashat B’reisheet. The parasha itself is concerned with the creation of the universe. It explains how sin entered the world, and discusses some of the immediate and far-reaching effects of sin upon mankind. Accordingly in the haftarah, Isaiah 42 opens by referring to God as the Creator, and continues to show how Israel failed to follow Him and went into sin.

This theme of the servant, first introduced in Isaiah 41, gradually unfolds like a beautiful flower throughout this section of Isaiah until it is in full-bloom in chapter 53. As the theme of the servant develops, the identity of the servant becomes rather confusing. At first, it seems clear that Israel is God’s servant. But then, Israel is portrayed by the prophet as a nation who was deeply ill with sin. Who is God’s Servant? Is it Israel? Or, is it a special individual about whom God is speaking? From the viewpoint of responsibility, the servant of the Lord is the entire nation of Israel. Yet, because the nation as a whole has not been faithful to the Covenant of Torah, when it comes to accomplishment, the term describes an individual: Yeshua. He represents the nation of Israel, yet each individual can put their trust in Him to fulfill their God-given calling. It seems that the servant is not the nation of Israel. They had a difficult time fulfilling their call as God’s servant. We agree with commentators who say that the servant here is an Israelite, but a single individual who is able to perform for Israel that which Israel was unable to do for itself. Verses 42:6-8 are a restatement of God’s original purpose for Israel: 1) to bring people from the nations of the world into Israel’s covenant; 2) to be a light to those nations; 3) to release the captivity of thos...

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© 2009 First Fruits of Zion. All rights reserved. We encourage you to share this material with your friends for further personal study. However, This material may not be republished, in print, electronically, or any other form without our prior permission. Adapted from Bikurei Tziyon #75 .

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