Isaiah Chapter 50 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Isaiah 50:1–3
"ADONAI says: 'Where is your mother's divorce document which I gave her when I divorced her? Or: to which of my creditors did I sell you? You were sold because of your sins; because of your crimes was your mother divorced. Why was no one here when I came? Why, when I called, did nobody answer? Is my arm too short to redeem? Have I too little power to save? With my rebuke I dry up the sea; I turn rivers into desert, their fish rot for lack of water and they die of thirst; I dress the heavens in black to mourn and make their covering sackcloth.'"
In this passage, God explains that the reason for the exile of his people is sin and not some legal document such as a divorce decree or a financial arrangement such as a bond slave's contract. We see that God is speaking to the younger generation that is in exile and they are the ones that will be brought out of exile. We also see references to the fact that Yeshua Messiah was going to come but he was going to be largely ignored by the people of Israel and the darkness that would fall onto the earth while he was on the cross as a call for repentance.
Isaiah 50:4–5
"Adonai ELOHIM has given me the ability to speak as a man well taught, so that I, with my words, know how to sustain the weary. Each morning he awakens my ear to hear like those who are taught. Adonai ELOHIM has opened my ear, and I neither rebelled nor turned away."
Here, we see the fact that Yeshua Messiah has the very wisdom of God concerning the redemption of his people. Messiah has heard of the suffering that he must face to bring about this redemption and he committed to the work.
Isaiah 50:6–8
"I offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who plucked out my beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. For Adonai ELOHIM will help. This is why no insult can wound me. This is why I have set my face like flint, knowing I will not be put to shame. My vindicator is close by; let whoever dares to accuse me appear with me in court! Let whoever has a case against me step forward!"
This passage speaks of the beating and shame that Messiah would face but it also speaks of the fact that he would be resurrected by the very hand of God. We see the trial of Yeshua but the fact that God is the ultimate judge.
Isaiah 50:9–11
"Look, if Adonai ELOHIM helps me, who will dare to condemn me? Here, they are all falling apart like old, moth-eaten clothes. Who among you fears ADONAI? Who obeys what his servant says? Even when he walks in the dark, without any light, he will trust in ADONAI's reputation and rely on his God. But all of you who are lighting fires and arming yourselves with firebrands: go, walk in the flame of your own fire, among the firebrands you lit! From my hands this awaits you: you will lie down in torment."
Those that would condemn the suffering servant are compared to worn out clothes. We see that those who fear God will listen to the words of Yeshua Messiah as a healthy fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Those that have this healthy fear and listen to Yeshua have faith and trust God even as they walk in the dark world. Those that continue to ignore the work of Yeshua Messiah and walk in their own understanding and strength will face the coming wrath of God.