Isaiah 53

It's hard NOT to see Jesus in this chapter, so i wondered what the Jewish interpreters of this text believe. Isaiah 53 provides the 4th of four "Servant Songs" in the book, and is preceded by chapter 42:1-4, 49:1-6, 50:4-9, and 52:13-53:12. The Jewish position is that in all four songs, the servant is a reference to the nation of Israel and not a Messianic prophecy. However, the pronouns used throughout the fourth song are consistently "his", "him", and "he" and the text reads awkwardly when trying to fit into the concept of a nation. In the twelve verses of the fourth song, there are 41 instances of a singular, masculine pronoun used. The same problem occurs in the first of the songs as well.

And what to make of the fact that chapter 53 fits Jesus to a tee? The jews simply are not looking for a Messiah who would suffer and die and return again in glory. They are looking for a Messiah who would reign over Israel as an earthly King and one who would restore peace and prominence to the nation. Therefore it is easy for them to discount this text since it is very opposed to their expectations. However, there are some rabbis on record, even some who lived as contemporaries of Jesus, who recognize this prophecy as Messianic in nature.

Tomorrow's reading: Isaiah 58-63:14