Category: B'reisheet

Servant of Adonai

By FFOZ Staff, October, 2002

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 those peoples. When the Messiah returns to earth, this third blessing will literally be fulfilled.

A Time of Praise

Isaiah interrupts his sermon for a time of praise. Isaiah tells his listeners to sing a new song unto the Lord.

Nations from all over the world will recite His praises, for the redemption will become known throughout the world, wherever the Jews are scattered, and the nations, upon seeing the wonders, will sing His praise. (Redak)[1]

One reason for such praise is that God said He would announce what He will do ahead of time, so that when it happens, it will simply cause the people to be awestruck.

Isaiah says that all of the people will see that God will send His Servant to accomplish His purposes. Part of His purpose is to reach the peoples of the world with a knowledge of Himself. When that happens, the earth will rejoice and sing unto the Lord.

Another aspect of God’s plan is that He will gather the scattered ones of Israel again and make them into a nation that trusts in Him. When the believing remnant from among the nations see this, they will praise God. Which nations? Isaiah singles out two specific peoples: those from Kedar and those from Sela. According to Targum Jonathan, the people of Keder were Arabs.[2] Sela was probably an Edomite city. They are definitely remote locations; a good illustration of how far the news of God’s work would spread. They both represent people who have traditionally been enemies of Israel. Even the enemies of God’s people will sing songs of praise to Him.

Two Statements

God’s ultimate purpose is to lead His people home, both physically and spiritually. In addition to providing a graphic description of Israel’s condition because of their sin, this section also provides two remarkable statements about Israel. The first is found in Isaiah 42:24:

Who gave Jacob up for spoil and Israel to plunderers? Was it not the Lord, against whom we have sinned, and in whose ways they were not willing to walk, and whose Torah they did not obey?

Israel had sinned. God was the one who sent calamities upon them; the same God who loves them with an everlasting love. He would turn His back on them for a short time before He would do His mighty acts of returning them to Himself and to their Land. The second statement is in Isaiah 42:19. God still refers to them as “My Servant.” Despite their blindness and deafness, God would never give up on them. His calling remains in tact. Although Israel is called His servant, Israel was not able to carry out that responsibility. Simply stated, it would only be through a personal union and relationship the the Servant, the Messiah of Israel, Yeshua, that the nation would fulfill their God-given calling to be a light to the nations.

Endnotes

1. Rabbi A.J. Rosenberg, The Book of Isaiah, p. 340.
2 Rosenberg, op. cit., p. 340.

© 2006 First Fruits of Zion. All rights reserved. This material may not be republished, rewritten or redistributed. From Bikurei Tziyon #75 | October, 2002. For more information about this publication, click here.

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