Why did Jesus not open his mouth when brought to judgment?
(Isaiah 50-53; Matt. 23:38; Rom. 10:15-16; 1 Tim. 3:16) Blog Feb. 28 – Mar. 06, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Isaiah was God’s prophet to the nation of Judah. God sends prophets to his people to encourage them, to direct them, and to correct them. All these things Isaiah did. He confronted the hypocrisy of God’s covenant bride, he told the leaders of God’s people how they were to respond to the attacks of their enemies, and he promised a Divine Deliverer that by means of judgment would bring a glorious deliverance to the faithful remnant of God’s people. When God’s chosen Deliverer comes in final judgment he will conquer Babylon, the great enemy of God’s people, and bring salvation to true believers.
A People Rejected (Isaiah 50:1 – 51:23; Deut. 24:1-4; Psa. 75:8; Jer. 3:8; Matt. 19:7-9; 20:22; 23:38; Rev. 3:16; 14:9-11)
1. Is it possible that God could reject his chosen people? Yes, for he rejected Israel (the northern kingdom) in Isaiah’s day, he rejected the Jewish nation just before the cross, he told the church of Laodicea that he would reject her if she didn’t repent, & here in Isaiah 50 he speaks of the possibility of divorce from Judah.
2. If God did separate himself from his people what would the reason be? It would be because of their continual, unrepentant, spiritual adultery (the same reason that Jesus allowed divorce).
4. According to Isaiah 51:16 who does God call his people? Zion, which is a codename for the Most Holy Place of the sanctuary where God’s redeemed remnant gather for his salvation & protection.
5. Who took the cup of trembling from the hand of God’s people in order that he might drink it in their place? Jesus, who fulfilled the New Covenant by drinking the bitter cup that our sins deserve.
6. Who also will drink the cup of God’s wrath even though Jesus drank it for them? Those who reject Jesus & the great sacrifice he made for them.
7. What does Isaiah 50:11 promise to those who walk in the light of their own imagination? They shall lie down in sorrow.
A People Redeemed (Isaiah 50:2 – 52:12)
8. Which of his powerful acts does God recount in Isaiah 50:2-3 as proof that he is able to redeem his rebellious people? His drying of the Red Sea, his turning the Nile River into blood, & his placing darkness on the land of Egypt.
9. Of whom does the prophet speak in verses 4-9 of Isaiah 50? Of Jesus whom God awakened every morning so that he might speak encouragement to the weary, who let evil men smite his back & yank out his beard while spitting in his face, & who was justified in the spirit (not like we who are justified in a Substitute).
10. How does the Lord comfort his people in Zion? By restoring their original glory in giving joy, gladness, thanksgiving, & melody; by giving them his law & saving judgment; by giving them saving righteousness in the person of their Substitute & covenant Surety; & by calling them his covenant people (his bride).
11. How does Isaiah 52 describe God’s people in Zion when they are finally delivered from their captors? Isaiah describes them as strong, holy, & clothed in beautiful garments; as unshackled & redeemed; as hearing the voice of God who reigns over them; & in perfect unity.
12. According to Isaiah 52:7, who is responsible for the joyous state in which God’s people eternally dwell? Those who went about proclaiming good tidings of redemption & release – their busy feet are beautiful.
God’s Servant (Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12; Rom. 3:19; 10:15-16; 1 Tim. 3:16)
13. In Isaiah 52:13-15 how is God’s Servant pictured? As a high & holy being who in humble wisdom allowed himself to be disgraced more than any man & by whose blood a ransom was made for all nations.
14. How does Isaiah introduce chapter 53? By asking the question as to who believes the incredible Gospel story that follows (just as Paul does in Romans 10).
15. How does Isaiah 53:1-3, describe God’s Servant? As starting life as a tender baby in an inhospitable environment without any natural attractiveness who would be despised & rejected by men & experience sorrows & grief.
16. Whose sorrows and griefs did God’s Servant carry? Ours (those of every human being that ever lived).
17. What is there about us that requires such ill treatment as Jesus bore? Our sins & iniquities – the sin of our nature & the sins of our actions (even those of going astray from God).
18. What popular “Christian” error is refuted in verse 6? The Calvinistic error that Jesus only died for the elect — for if ALL went astray then ALL their sins were laid on Jesus in Gethsemane.
19. Why did Jesus not open his mouth to defend himself when brought to judgment? Because “he was numbered with [counted as] the transgressors” & there is no excuse for sin “so every mouth [must] be stopped.”
20. What does Isaiah 53:10 say we must do in order to receive the salvation that Jesus purchased for us? We must make Jesus’ soul our sacrifice for sin before God, for neither our good deeds nor our repentance can atone for our sins.
21. Beside Christ’s suffering and death what other offering must we present to God in order to be saved? His perfect life experience (“knowledge”) for our obedience falls short of God’s glory.