Thou hast known My reproach, and My shame, and My dishonour. Psalm 69:19 KJV
You know my reproach and my shame and my dishonour. Psalms 69:19 NASB
I hid not My face from shame and spitting … Therefore, have I set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.” Isaiah 50:6,7 KJV
I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting… Therefore, I have set My face like flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed. Isaiah 50:6,7 NASB
The four Servant Songs of Isaiah have been a rich treasury of truth concerning the Lord Jesus. Each of the four presents a slightly different aspect of His service. In the four, there is also an increase in the malice of men toward Him and in the cost of His service.
Isaiah 50, the third of the four, serves to contrast the failing service of Israel as God’s Servant (vv 1-3) with the faithfulness of God’s Perfect Servant (vv 4-9) and to set the stage for a lesson to all future servants (vv 10, 11). Here, in this Servant Song, we are introduced to the reality that this Servant would have shame heaped upon Him. Yet, He “hid not His face from shame and spitting.” He did not resist those who were abusing Him, but in the words of Peter, “He committed Himself” to the righteous judge. Our Song reveals that though men put Him to shame, He was never ashamed. The words which follow give us at least three reasons for this:
His Fitness was from the Word of God
Morning by morning, His ear was open to hear what His Master would pour into it. What He heard guided His steps and His service. With the assurance that He was being obedient to the will of His Master, He was able to leave the “success” of His service with Him. Whatever men might think; however they might respond, since He was moving in the will of His Master, He felt no disappointment or sense of failure.
His Fidelity to His Will
As the will of His Master unfolded, He was “Not rebellious, neither turned away back.” In contrast, He gave His back, His cheeks, His face to all that they inflicted. In doing so, He was never ashamed. All this was in the will of His Master which had been revealed to Him as He opened His ear to hear as one who was instructed. Why should there be the least sense of shame at failure if He was accomplishing the will of Him Who sent Him?
His Faith in His Character
As He moved in the will of God according to the Word of God, He displayed absolute faith in His Master’s character. Note how He highlights His presence (8). His help (7), His just vindication (8), and His faithfulness. While men might feel ashamed that the final verdict on their lives was not positive, this Servant had no doubt in His mind of the righteous judgment of His Master. Our Song reveals that though men put Him to shame, He was never ashamed.
So, continue to sing P. B. Bliss’s hymn, appreciating He Himself was never “ashamed.”
Bearing shame and scoffing rude
In my place, condemned He stood.
Sealed my pardon with His blood
Hallelujah! What a Savior.
Consider:
Those who are students of words will be quick to assert that the words for “shame” in v 6 and for “ashamed” in v 7 are not from the same root. The word in v 7 has more the connotation of being disappointed. The word “confounded,” however, in v 7 is from the same root word and could be translated as “ashamed.”
Paul will take up this theme in 2 Timothy 1. Note there the three mentions of not being ashamed.