Isaiah 42:1 - Exposition

Behold . "Behold," as Mr. Cheyne says, "invites the attention of the world—both of the Jews and of the nations—to a new revelation." It looks back to the similar expression of Isaiah 42:24 and 29 of the preceding chapter, which draw down the curtain upon the idol-gods, while this "behold" reveals One who is to occupy their place, and to be a worthy object of the worship of mankind, My Servant ; i.e. my true and perfect servant, utterly obedient ( John 4:34 ; Hebrews 3:2 ); not, like Israel, my rebellious and faithless servant; not, even, like my prophets, yielding an imperfect obedience, Whom I uphold . "As the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself" ( John 5:26 ). As the fount or origin of Divinity ( πηγὴ θεότητος ), the Father supports and sustains even the Son and the Spirit. Mine Elect . Christ was "chosen" from all eternity in God's counsels to the great work of man's redemption, and to be the Mediator between God and man. I have put my Spirit upon him (see Isaiah 11:2 ; Isaiah 61:1 ; and for the fulfilment, comp. Luke 2:40 ; Luke 3:22 ; Luke 4:18-21 ; Luke 3:34 ). He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles ; i.e. "he shall publish," or "cause to be published, to the Gentiles, the true Law of God—religion on its practical side." The publication of Christianity throughout all the world has abundantly fulfilled this promise or prophecy. The call of the Gentiles had been already declared by Isaiah in his earlier preaching ( Isaiah 2:2 ; Isaiah 11:10 ; Isaiah 19:22-25 ; Isaiah 25:6 ; Isaiah 27:13 , etc.).