The End Time Bible Commentary

In this chapter, firstly, God explains why he divorced and sold Israel - because of her sins. But now is a new generation. Secondly, Jesus explains how he managed to endure extreme persecution, and sets us an example of how we also can learn to walk through pitch darkness.

God explains to Zion why he divorced her mother
In chapter 49, Zion expresses feelings of abandonment, as though she is a widow, or a divorced wife. God reassured her that she would become like his bride, and her children like her jewellery.

In verses 1 to 4, God continues to address this feeling of abandonment. God asks Zion, "Where is your mother’s divorce certificate by which I divorced her?" (v1). At first glance, this seems like a rhetorical question implying there is no certificate and that he did not divorce her. However, God then says, "because of your rebellious acts I divorced your mother". Also Jeremiah 3:8 says, "…I gave wayward Israel her divorce papers and sent her away because of her adulterous worship of other gods". The point of the original question must therefore be "Why did I divorce your mother? What reason is specified on the certificate of divorce?" There is no denial that he divorced her. But the reference to her mother implies the divorce was applicable to a previous generation. The generation of Zion now in focus is like God's virgin bride. Of course, the picture here of marriage and divorce is metaphorical and should not be taken too far. The possible objection that a man would not divorce his wife and later marry his virgin daughter, would be to take the metaphor beyond its intended use.

God also uses another picture, "Or to which of my creditors did I sell you?" This implies the suggestion that God sold his wife into slavery because he could not pay his debts. God refutes this saying "you were sold because of your sins" (v1).

In both portrayals, God admits that he did indeed abandon Zion. He did so because of her sins. But now, as stated in chapter 49, Zion is going to be like a bride. It's a new generation. God is promising her a fresh start with a clean slate.

In verse 2, Zion is portrayed as silent before God, her accuser. God wonders why she is silent, and asks "Is my hand too weak to deliver you? Do I lack the power to rescue you?" These are rhetorical questions. If he dried up the Red Sea with a mere shout, then of course he has the power to rescue Zion. And he can darken the sky if he wants to (v3).


The Servant Perseveres
Verses 4 to 11 are described by theologians as the 'third servant song'. From a New Testament perspective, this is Jesus, again speaking autobiographically, as at the beginning of chapter 49. Israel the rebellious servant is contrasted with Jesus the model servant, who submits to God's will even in the face of unjust suffering and persecution. Jesus is able to teach, and to encourage the weary, because he is one who listens attentively (v4). He hears God clearly and does not rebel (v5). In verse 6, he describes various aspects of the punishments and humiliation he received before his crucifixion - the beating, the beard-pulling, the insults and spitting. In verse 7 he says, "But the Sovereign Lord helps me, so I am not humiliated". From the perspective of anyone witnessing these events, Jesus was thoroughly humiliated. But because he knew that God was with him, there was actually nothing man could do to him that would truly humiliate him. He was so convinced he was in the will of God that he could see these events from the perspective of God's future vindication. He was steadfast because he knew that no-one could humiliate him before his father, and that was all that mattered. He therefore challenges anyone to try and accuse him - the implication being that no-one can (v8). Jesus is also confident that his enemies will eventually end up like worn-out moth-eaten clothes that will one day be thrown away (v9). Consequently, he had no need to retaliate because he trusted in God's judgment, even though it might seem to take a long time.

Although verses 4 to 9 describe events that were fulfilled in Jesus' first coming, his example of endurance is extremely relevant as we look to the second coming. Many scriptures indicate that believers will experience extreme persecution in the end times. In the Olivet discourse, Mark 13:9-13 records that Jesus especially talked about persecution as one of the end-time signs of his coming. In Revelation 6:9-11 and 7:9-10, John sees a vision of martyred Christians from every nation, tribe, people and language. We need to be prepared to submit to God's will in the face of martyrdom, just as Jesus has taught us by his own example. As in Hebrews 13:6, we need to be able to say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell". In other words, we need to see things from an eternal perspective, confident that if we suffer for obeying God, God will one day vindicate and reward us.

In verse 10, Jesus asks the question, "Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys his servant? Whoever walks in deep darkness, without light, should trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God". If we really do fear God, our obedience is most clearly demonstrated when we can walk through pitch darkness without light. God doesn't promise that we will always have light - we need to learn how to walk in the dark! In verse 11, Jesus addresses our natural instinct when we find ourselves in the dark - we naturally look for ways to turn the lights back on. But Jesus warns us that if we rely on artificial lighting, we will end up in a place of pain. This begs the question - what is the true light that enables us to walk through pitch darkness? This is answered in the next chapter - it is the light of hope.