October 22, 2022: Haftarah – Isaiah 42:5 - 43:10
This week's Haftarah reading is from Isaiah 42:5 - 43:10. Join Dr. Jeffery Myers, as he clearly depicts the difference between servant Israel as a people chosen by ADONAI, and the Servant of ADONAI, our Messiah.
Follow along in the AUDIO PODCAST, by clicking on the play button below, and reading along with the notes, as you listen to today's Haftarah:
Lion of Judah Speaks: Haftarah Portion – Isaiah 42:5 - 43:10.
Isaiah introduces us to the servant Israel as a people chosen to represent Adonai’s redemptive purpose for all the world, however, the Servant of Adonai is clearly distinct from Israel the people, while also being born of her. In fact, the Servant described in Isaiah 42:1-7 has a strong individuality and distinct personal features, that forbids us to see the title “servant” as a collective entity Israel. It is easy to see our Messiah in the verses in Isaiah 42, you see the Messiah leaping off the pages as you see the word “salvation” mentioned over and over again. We know that the word “salvation” is a variant of Yeshua’s name. We could put the Hebrew words back where they originally were and Isaiah 43:3 would read, “For I am Adonai, your Yah, the Holy One of Israel, your Yeshua”. In Isaiah 42:1 it says, “Behold my servant the Messiah…I have put My Holy Spirit upon Him.” Yes, this is King Messiah, King Yeshua HaMashiach! We see in the Brit Chadashah that the Scriptures apply the Messianic Servant passages of Isaiah to Yeshua. The Messiah who has come to establish justice in the earth.
It is clear that the mission of Israel, what they were created and called to do, was to be a covenant people to bring light to the nations. To open the eyes of the blind, rescue prisoners from confinement, and to release those who sit in darkness. However, Israel, as a whole, had failed. Isaiah 42:16, “And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them, I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These things I do, and I do not forsake them.” Look at what Yeshua is doing for us! This is what Yeshua did for us at Lion of Judah about 17 years ago and is still doing. He began to open our eyes and lead us down a path unfamiliar, turning the light on where darkness ruled, placing our feet on a level ground as He revealed Himself to us in a greater way. This process had to happen if we were truly going to be a light in the midst of darkness. It is amazing how for years our own preconceived ideas and our blinded eyes and stopped up ears would not allow us to see the truth of His Word in different areas. It is amazing how for years in the ministry if something we read in His Word didn’t line up with our thinking, we dismissed it, cast it far out of our mind. Instead of lining up our own doctrines, interpretations, ideas to the Word of Adonai, we tried to make the Word line up to our own belief system, how we were raised, how we were taught, what doctrines we were comfortable living and applying to our lives. However, the Word is the straight edge, the tool we use to reset our beliefs. We need to use the Word as the absolute truth ruler that everything else must be measured against. We need to stop allowing arrogance to rule and reign in us. Once we accept the call to be a light to the nations, we must act on it by walking it out in our own lives. We also need to understand there are still things left for us to learn, to comprehend, to see and know within us. The Word must be our standard, the measuring rod for Truth, nothing else can compare.
Yeshua will ensure the restoration of the broken, and remain in strength to bring about justice in the land of Israel. The Torah, Adonai’s instructions, imparts and bears fruit among the nations. The Torah is Yeshua’s! The literal Torah of Moses and the living Torah (instructions) of the Messiah are born of His authorship. Messiah is the author and goal of the Torah according to Romans 10:4 that says “For Yeshua Messiah is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.” Hebrews 12:2, “Looking to Yeshua the author and perfecter of our trust; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated down at the right hand of the Throne of Elohim.” Our mission of being a light also consist of spreading Torah, Torah values and the wisdom we have learned from our traditions and experiences; to love the stranger, to care for the earth, to understand our enemies, to “love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly with our Yah”. (Micah 6:8). We humbly claim no exalted position because of our calling we understand that holy work redounds to Adonai’s glory and not ours.
Isaiah 42:21, “Adonai was pleased, for His righteousness’ sake, to magnify His law and make it glorious.” The righteousness of Adonai and His Torah are revealed; therefore, we are without excuse, we have looked upon His majesty and the Torah that proceeds from Him. The same Torah that the Servant of Israel sends from Israel to the nations, has been and always will be from the beginning of time! HaShem considers His law (Torah, instructions) to be glorious. How great that the Father would take the time to carefully impart His wisdom, teachings, and commandments on how we can live and be considered holy unto Him through being obedient by following the way He has placed before us.
What is sad is that many believers commit a grievous error by dismissing the Father’s law as being “done away with”. Taking a few verses out of context and relying on doctrines of men can easily lead people to that conclusion. However, Paul says in Romans 3:31, “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law”. Isaiah 42:22 reveals that we were being robbed, imprisoned by enemies, fallen prey to the nations. Allowing ourselves to be robbed of the ancient paths, our calling and identity as the chosen of Adonai. We were in prisons of our own making, bound by the idols of the nations and doctrines that surrounded us. We had become prey to every false idea, and yet never returning to be restored to Him.
We need to set our hearts to follow His Word, His commandments, seeking His guidance on our lives, then application to our lives will naturally follow suit. Isaiah 42:24 makes it clear that it is HaShem we are sinning against when we decide not to walk in the way of His Word. So, our suffering is not by chance, but part of Adonai’s intentional work for the sake of our redemption. This is personal for Adonai; it should not be a casual thing for us! Yet, Israel will not listen, hear, understand…do we? The fire of Adonai’s discipline will refine us and soon we will learn to be obedient once more as we return to our loving Abba, our faithful husband, our unchanging Yah of mercy.
Isaiah 43 reads as a love poem written from our Father to us. This poem is about us, it’s about you and me so we should read it as a personal letter. Mishpocha, we are at our best when we are walking in HaShem’s will. We are at our best when we are walking in obedience to the Father. I know you love the Father and I know you feel His love for you—so, if that is true, shouldn’t we do all we can to be our best for Him?
Shabbat Shalom!
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Have a great Sabbath Day! Love Him with all your heart and serve Him with gladness! See you next week!