The Servant of the Lord and His Servant People: Tracing a Biblical Theme Through the Canon (New Studies in Biblical Theology, vol. 53 | NSBT)
Overview
It is often recognized that the title ‘servant’ is applied to key figures throughout the Bible, culminating in Jesus Christ. Matthew Harmon carefully traces this theme from Genesis to Revelation with the intention of seeing how earlier ‘servants’ point forward to the ultimate Servant. While this servant theme certainly is significant in its own right throughout redemptive history, it also plays a supporting role, enhancing and enriching the other themes such as son, prophet, king, etc. Harmon shows how the title ‘servant’ not only gives us a clearer understanding of Jesus Christ, but also has profound implications for our lives as Christians. When we grasp what it means to be servants of Christ, our love for him and our obedience to him deepen. Understanding that the ultimate Servant Jesus Christ indwells his people to empower them to serve others in love has the potential to transform how we interact with fellow believers and the world around us.
- Examines how earlier ‘servants’ point forward to the ultimate Servant
- Analyzes related themes of son, prophet, and king
- Explores the profound implications for our lives as Christians
Top Highlights
“Yet it should also be noted that the description of the servant in verses 1–4 bears striking affinities with the promised Davidic king portrayed in Isaiah 11:1–5. The Spirit of the Lord who rests on him (Isa. 11:2) also rests upon the servant (Isa. 42:1). The servant brings justice to the nations (Isa. 42:1, 3–4); the Davidic king judges all people with righteousness and brings the nations under his rule (Isa. 11:3–5). These similarities make sense when it is remembered that Israel’s king was to be the personal embodiment of what Israel was supposed to be as a nation.” (Page 116)
“The parallelism in verse 1 between ‘my servant’ and ‘my chosen’ echoes the language of 41:8–9, which suggests that the servant in view here is still Israel as a nation. But Isaiah 42:1 goes beyond the description of Isaiah 41:8–9, adding that Yahweh has placed his Spirit on his servant. What follows is a series of statements regarding what the servant will do (Isa. 42:1d–4) with emphasis on establishing justice among the nations (42:1, 3, 4).” (Page 115)
“These parallels make it clear that the servant of Isaiah 49 shares a similar identity and mission with the servant of Isaiah 42: they are both in some sense Israel set apart as a light to the nations. Yet there are at least three key differences. First, in addition to having a mission for the nations, the servant of Isaiah 49 has a mission to restore Israel as well. This leads to the second difference: the servant of Isaiah 49 is an individual. Thus, while there is obvious and strong continuity with the commission of the nation of Israel as the servant, the servant of Isaiah 49 also stands within the line of individual servants that includes Adam, Moses, Joshua and David before him. Third, the servant of Isaiah 49 obeys where the nation of Israel failed.” (Pages 123–124)
- Title: The Servant of the Lord and His Servant People: Tracing a Biblical Theme through the Canon
- Author: Matthew S. Harmon
- Series: New Studies in Biblical Theology
- Volume: 54
- Publishers: Apollos, IVP Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2020
- Logos Release Date: 2021
- Pages: 262
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Service (Theology) › Biblical teaching; Jesus Christ › Servanthood; Bible › Theology
- ISBNs: 9781789742107, 9781789742114, 9780830810352, 9780830813063, 1789742102, 1789742110, 0830810358, 0830813063
- Resource ID: LLS:NSBT53
- Resource Type: text.monograph.biblical-theology
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:54:21Z