My Servant

Last November, the US held an election to select its president for the next four years. While earth struggles to find leaders to solve their problems, God has already made his selection for the leader and savior of the world. “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. (Isa. 42:1 NASB) Matthew 12:18 tells us that Isaiah’s prophecy applies to Jesus.

God calls Jesus “my servant.” God used this same term to describe Abraham (Gen. 26:24), Moses (Num. 12:7), David (2 Sam. 7:8) and the nation of Israel (Isa. 41:8). “My servant” is an expression of praise for an individual dedicated to the doing of God’s will.

Isaiah 42:1 tells us that God would uphold Jesus. God upheld our Lord during his earthly ministry using His spirit, power and overruling providences. Jesus confirms this in Psalm 16:8 (NASB): “I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Because Jesus was faithful to God unto his death on the cross, God upheld Jesus further by raising him from the dead and seating Jesus at God’s right hand in the heavenly places.—Eph. 1:20; Rev. 3:21

God delighted in Jesus because of Jesus’ devotion and faithfulness to God. God expressed this delight when Jesus came to Jordan to be baptized. “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” (Matt. 3:17 NASB) God’s delight with Jesus continued to the end of Jesus’ ministry when He said at the mount of transfiguration: “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” —Matt. 17:5 (NASB)

Because God delighted in Jesus, He put His spirit upon Jesus. “After being baptized, … behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him [Jesus].” (Matt. 3:16 NASB) God’s holy spirit enabled Jesus to fulfill the mission that God had given him. “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”—Luke 4:18,19 (NASB)

Finally, Isaiah 42:1 tells us what Jesus’ mission will accomplish—he will bring forth justice to the nations. Psalm 72:2-4 (NASB) describes the justice Jesus brings to mankind. “May he judge Your people with righteousness And Your afflicted with justice. Let the mountains bring peace to the people, And the hills, in righteousness. May he vindicate the afflicted of the people, Save the children of the needy And crush the oppressor.” Jesus will not only judge God’s people, both his followers and fleshly Israel with justice, he will judge the nations or the world in righteousness saving the needy and crushing the oppressor, Satan and all his allies.

Image Copyright: ginosphotos / 123RF Stock Photo

For additional information please see our related booklets and videos below.

Booklet
FatherSonHolySpirit_cover
Father Son and Holy Spirit
Video
Views from the Cross
Views from the Cross
Video
Moments with the Savior
Movements with the
Savior
Booklet
Jesus, the World's Savior
Jesus, the World’s Savior
Video
War in Heaven
War in Heaven
Video
I Will Come Again
I Will Come Again
Booklet
Our Lords Return
Our Lords Return
Video
A Glimpse of Heaven
A Glimpse of Heaven
VideoA Vision of the Kingdom Explained
A Vision of the Kingdom Explained

Moses

Many years after the death of Joseph, the nation of Israel had descended into slavery in Egypt until another individual arose who was led by God to deliver them. His name was Moses. Even from his birth, we see God’s overruling providences in Moses’ life and how he grew up to be the deliverer of Israel. But this did not happen easily. We can look at Moses’ life as 3 equal sections of 40 years each, from birth to his death at 120 years old.

The first 40 were his growing up years during which Moses learned the Egyptian ways from Pharaoh’s daughter who found him in a little ark in the river Nile. Moses also learned his Jewish heritage from his own mother, Jochebed, who was allowed to care for him up as a young child because Moses’ sister, Miriam, offered to find a Hebrew woman to nurse Moses for Pharaoh’s daughter. Here, we see the overruling of God.

At the age of 40 Moses saw how his own people were being mistreated and killed an Egyptian who was smiting a fellow Hebrew and then hid the Egyptian’s body. Thinking no one saw him, Moses sought to stop 2 Hebrews from fighting the next day. In response, one asked him, “Who made you prince and judge, do you intend to kill me too?” (Exod. 2:13,14) Moses became fearful because what he had done had become known and he fled into the wilderness.

The next 40 years Moses learned to live in the wilderness. There he met Jethro and became a shepherd of his flock and married one of his daughters. During this period, Moses learned meekness, humility, faith and developed a deep respect for God’s promises. He was prepared to be a faithful servant of God and deliver Israel from Egypt to a land flowing with milk and honey—Canaan.

Moses’ last 40 years begins with Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Then he led them for 40 years in the Wilderness becoming the mediator between God and Israel. Finally, he led them to the Promised Land. However, Moses could not enter the Promised Land with the nation because of his failure to speak to the rock (Numbers 20:1-12) He only got to view the Promised Land from afar.

Image Copyright: petervick167 / 123RF Stock Photo

“What is That in Thine Hand?”

When Moses stood in front of the burning bush, he was over 80 years-old, a shepherd in the desert, and watching over the flocks of his father in-law, Jethro. From a worldly perspective, we might say he was too old, out of touch, and lacked the experience to lead a nation of a million people out of captivity. But in God’s sight, Moses was finally ready for the greatest work of his life.

Consider that Moses had been raised in the royal court of Egypt, was aware of the suffering of the Hebrew people, had been desert-tested, and most importantly, was considered the meekest man on the Earth. (Num. 12:3) From God’s standpoint, it took 80 years to form the character of Moses into one He could use to lead His people out of Egypt. God is able to read the heart and thus, select those best suited to serve Him and His purposes. “For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)

Even Moses was unsure of his own abilities. Once he understood what was being asked of him, he raised several objections. First, Moses did not think he was the right person for the job. God responded, do not worry because He would be with Moses (Exod. 3:11-12). Second, Moses said the Israelites would not believe him unless they knew who had sent him. God said to tell the Israelites that “I AM” had sent Moses – the God of their fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exod. 3:13-15). Third, Moses said the Egyptians would not believe him. God responded, “what is that in thine hand?” God performed miracles with Moses’ rod and hand that would show the power of the almighty God. (Exod. 4:1-8) Finally, Moses said he wouldn’t know what to say. God cleared this objection by selecting his brother Aaron to be his spokesman. (Exod. 4:10-15)

We know that God does not need us in His service, but He wants us to serve Him. For those called to serve God in whatever capacity, the LORD will find the best way in which to use our talents. We simply must be humble and willing.

Israel’s Deliverance from Egypt

After many long years of slavery, the time had come for God to deliver His people from Egyptian bondage. The nine plagues on Pharaoh and his people had just about destroyed their economy, resulting in the sufferings that accompany natural disasters. These disasters were from God and not natural. He brought them on the Egyptians to effect Israel’s deliverance. They had their intended effect, but one more plague was necessary to release the Israelites—the death of the firstborn sons of Pharaoh and his people.

However, the Israelite’s firstborn would be passed over and escape the death-angel’s slaughter if their families took a lamb, slew it, sprinkled its blood on the doorposts and lintels of their houses, remained in the house during that night, and ate the lamb roasted while fully dressed and ready to leave Egypt. (Exodus 12) The event of this night was called the Lord’s Passover, verse 11.

Christ Jesus is pictured in the Passover lamb and the blood that was sprinkled that night. Still, the Israelites had to flee Egypt the next morning, and while reaching the Red Sea, Pharaoh had a change of heart and overtook them with an army of chariots. Nevertheless, God separated the two with a dark cloud until Moses had led the people on dry land through the Red Sea. Once the cloud lifted, the Egyptians pursued the Israelites using the open path through the sea, at which point God brought the walls of water back together drowning the Egyptian army and giving the Israelites full deliverance from Egyptian bondage. (Exodus 14)

Moses illustrated Christ Jesus who delivers all who follow him from the slavery of sin and death to freedom and life. Moses wrote that God would raise up a prophet like unto himself and that the people would be required to heed his commands in all things in order to live forever. (Deut. 18:18, 19) It was through Israel that the Messiah would come. God was making wonderful pictures of His future deliverance of all mankind in His dealings with His typical people Israel.

Image Copyright: vlastas / 123RF Stock Photo