Isaiah 50

King James Version

Full text for Isaiah Chapter 50

1¶ Thus saith the LORD, Where [is] the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors [is it] to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

2Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst.

3I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

4¶ The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to [him that is] weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

5The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.

6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

7For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

8[He is] near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who [is] mine adversary? let him come near to me.

9Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who [is] he [that] shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

10¶ Who [is] among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh [in] darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

11Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass [yourselves] about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks [that] ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The Lord confronts Israel, stating their troubles are due to their own iniquities, not His lack of power or a formal divorce. A divine Servant then speaks, describing his anointing to minister to the weary and his steadfast obedience through suffering and persecution. The chapter concludes with an admonition for those in darkness to trust in the Lord, contrasting this with the sorrow awaiting those who rely on their own devices.

Medium Summary

Isaiah 50 opens with the Lord challenging Israel, asserting that their separation and distress are a consequence of their own transgressions, not a formal divorce or His inability to redeem. He questions their lack of response to His call, reaffirming His immense power demonstrated by drying up the sea and darkening the heavens. Subsequently, a prophetic Servant of the Lord speaks, detailing how God has granted him the wisdom to minister to the weary and has opened his ear to hear obediently. This Servant recounts enduring physical abuse, including being smitten and spat upon, yet he remains resolute, confident that the Lord God will uphold and justify him. He declares that his adversaries will ultimately perish. The chapter then encourages those who fear the Lord but walk in darkness to trust in Him. Conversely, it warns those who rely on their own self-generated light and schemes that they will ultimately face sorrow.

Long Summary

The chapter begins with the Lord addressing Israel, refuting any notion of a formal bill of divorcement or their sale into servitude. Instead, He unequivocally declares that their current state of affliction and separation is a direct result of their own iniquities and transgressions. The Lord then questions why, when He came and called, there was no one to answer, challenging any perception that His power to redeem or deliver has diminished. He powerfully asserts His omnipotence by recalling His ability to dry up the sea, turn rivers into a wilderness, and clothe the heavens with blackness, demonstrating His absolute control over creation. Following this divine address, a distinct voice emerges, identified as the Servant of the Lord. This Servant describes being divinely endowed with "the tongue of the learned," enabling him to speak a word of comfort and wisdom to the weary. He testifies that the Lord God awakens his ear "morning by morning" to hear and learn, indicating a continuous and intimate communion. The Servant emphasizes his unwavering obedience, stating he "was not rebellious, neither turned away back." He then recounts the profound suffering he endured, detailing how he "gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair," and "hid not my face from shame and spitting." Despite this intense persecution, the Servant expresses absolute confidence in the Lord God's help, affirming that he "shall not be confounded" and has "set my face like a flint." He boldly challenges any who would contend or condemn him, asserting that his divine justifier is near and that his adversaries will ultimately "wax old as a garment" and be consumed by moths. The chapter concludes with a call to those who fear the Lord and obey His servant, yet find themselves walking in darkness, to place their trust in the Lord and rely upon their God. In stark contrast, a warning is issued to those who "kindle a fire" and "compass yourselves about with sparks" of their own making, declaring that their self-reliance will ultimately lead them to "lie down in sorrow."

Core Concepts

  • Israel's TransgressionsThe chapter opens with God clarifying that Israel's suffering and separation are not due to His abandonment but are a direct consequence of their own iniquities and transgressions. This highlights the principle of divine justice in response to human sin.
  • God's Undiminished PowerThe Lord asserts His unyielding power to redeem and deliver, citing His ability to dry up the sea and darken the heavens as evidence of His omnipotence. This reassures that His capacity to save is not lessened.
  • The Obedient ServantA central figure, the Servant of the Lord, describes being divinely equipped to minister to the weary and demonstrates unwavering obedience to God's will. This servant exemplifies faithful submission to the divine call.
  • Suffering and Vindication of the ServantThe Servant recounts enduring physical abuse and humiliation, yet expresses profound confidence in God's help and ultimate vindication. This portrays the path of righteous suffering leading to divine justification.
  • Trust in the LordAn exhortation is given to those who fear the Lord but walk in darkness to trust in His name and rely upon Him. This emphasizes faith as the proper response to spiritual uncertainty.
  • Consequences of Self-RelianceThe chapter warns against relying on one's own "fire" and "sparks," indicating that self-generated solutions and human efforts apart from God will ultimately lead to sorrow. This contrasts divine reliance with human futility.