KJV Isaiah 52:13: “Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently, He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.“
NASB Isaiah 52:13: “Behold, My Servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.“
It is customary in exposition to link verses 52:13-15 with all that follows in Isaiah 53. They form a condensed introduction to all that transpires in that chapter. But there is also a sense in which they link with what has gone before in Isaiah 52.
Consider the progression of thought in the chapter. First, the city of Jerusalem is restored (vv 1-6). Then the cry issues forth, “Thy God reigns” (v 7). The return from captivity and call to leave Babylon follow in verses 11-13. But how will this all come about? How can a righteous God restore a nation that has transgressed and wandered? The sins listed and the charges made against the nation in the previous chapters of Isaiah range from idolatry to injustice in the nation, from failure to represent God to the nations, and of sin exceeding other nations.
In this final paragraph of three verses, we find the basis for all God is ever going to do with the nation of Israel.
The Servant
His Place before God – My Servant. God owns and vindicates His Servant-Son. God once again calls upon the nations to behold His Servant. He points to His Prosperity, “He shall deal prudently,” or He shall prosper due to His wisdom.
His Position is described as exalted, extolled, and very high. This, in the context, is future and related to the position God will accord Him over all the earth. In that day, the Servant of Jehovah will “be exalted and extolled, and be very high.” John Riddle in Isaiah (What the Bible Teaches) has helpfully pointed out that the words rendered “exalted” and “extolled” are often translated “high” and “lifted up” respectively and occur in that form in Isaiah 6:1: “I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.”
His Suffering
We are reminded of the Depths of His Suffering. His visage was marred more than any man. Here was suffering that exceeded that of any man. And then the Degree of His Suffering is stressed. His appearance made Him unrecognizable to men. Was this merely the result of the outward physical beating He endured, or was it an effect on His physical form from the inward unseen suffering at the hand of Jehovah? Where Scripture is silent concerning His sufferings, we are wise not to intrude. We can only bow in worship at the truth being expressed.
The Sequel
The Sprinkling of the Nations: the word normally means to sprinkle. He will be the means of cleansing the nations from sin. In the next chapter, He is treated as a leper. But here, He is the One Who sprinkles the unclean nations of men. An alternative meaning could be to “startle.” Certainly, what follows suggests the wonder and awe that will mark the kings of the earth.
The Speechless Kings
We see their silent worship. The kings on the millennial earth will be moved to silent wonder when they see and hear. In what sense did they not hear or see? Perhaps the thought is that the lowly Servant is actually the King and Messiah, the Redeemer of the nation and the Saviour of the world. Then and only then will God’s Righteous Servant be vindicated in the world where He was corned and cast out.
Read it here: Living Happily Ever After – Until Tragedy Strikes
Consider:
Link the end of Isaiah 52:15 with Isaiah 53:1.