Isaiah 42:1

In Isaiah 41:21-29, the *Lord has discussed *idols. He declares that they have no life in them. They have no use for anything. They have no value whatever (see Psalms 135:15-18).

• But now, in the first verse of chapter 42, the *Lord discusses ‘my Servant’. The *Lord’s Servant is to perform a world-wide service for all nations. The special Servant will declare the *Lord’s remedy for every person’s most important desires. People from every nation need a strong base for their lives. Every *human being needs this. It is essential for a worthwhile life.

• The name of this special Servant does not appear in these passages.

• The *New Testament considers that the Servant Songs are about Jesus (see Matthew 12:17-21; John 1:29).

• The basic idea of ‘support’ is that God will hold a person’s hand firmly. That action gives strength and confidence. God will not let the task be too much for that person’s strength.