Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 42:1

"Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles." — Isaiah 42:1 (ASV)

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Of whom does the prophet speak this, but of the Messiah – Jesus of Nazareth? He was upheld by the mighty power of God. He was the Lord's chosen. The Spirit of God rested upon him, and this day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears, for he has brought forth righteousness to the Gentiles.

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. (Isaiah 42:1)

Truly, this prophecy concerns the Lord Jesus Christ.

Observe the title he takes: He is called the servant of God.

The Father calls him his servant. Above all others, Christ is the servant of the Most High, humbly choosing to become the servant of servants, though he is the King of kings.

Consider the phrase, "Whom I uphold." This may be understood in two ways. According to some renderings, it could be, "Whom I lean upon"—as if God leaned the full weight of his glory upon Christ and entrusted the work of grace into his hands, if the passage is read passively. If read actively, it is as in our text: "Whom I uphold." Both are true: God leans upon Christ, and Christ draws his strength from God. They work together, and the glory is mutual.

Next, "Mine elect." This means "My choice one," for there is none so excellent as Christ. He is "My elected one," for Christ is the head of election. We are chosen in him before the foundation of the world, so God especially calls him "Mine elect."

Then, "In whom my soul delighteth." The Father's delight in the Son is infinite. He delighted in his person, and now he delights in the work he has accomplished. The Father's delight is in Christ, and he delights in us because we are in him. Indeed, if we are members of Christ, God is well pleased with us for Christ's sake.

The prophecy continues: "I have put my Spirit upon him." This was publicly done when he was baptized in the Jordan. The Spirit without measure rests and abides on him, our covenant head.

Finally, "He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles." Rejoice then, you Gentiles! You are no longer excluded. At first, the word came to the Jews only, but God has given the man, Christ Jesus, who has brought forth judgment to the Gentiles.