Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Isaiah 50:4-9 (ESV)
4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. 5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. 6 I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who is my adversary? Let him come near to me. 9 Behold, the Lord God helps me; who will declare me guilty?
The third “servant song” begins with a description of the power of God’s word – it sustains the weary by announcing forgiveness and new life. It is easy to picture Jesus thinking these words while he was suffering the torture and abuse of the whippings, beatings, and finally the cross. (v. 6). Even as Jesus is mocked and humiliated, He is confident in his status before God. Consider, do you have confidence in God so that you can handle it when you suffer humiliation and discouragement on earth? The verse 9a is to be understood as our answer to Satan’s accusations. Satan says, “You are an evil sinner, you belong to me.” We answer, “It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me?”