Isaiah 42:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it:

NIV: This is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:

NASB: This is what God the Lord says, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it:

CSB: This is what God, the Lord, says— who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk on it —

NLT: God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath to everyone, life to everyone who walks the earth. And it is he who says,

KJV: Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

NKJV: Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it:

Before expanding on what God will do through the Servant (Isaiah 42:1), Isaiah pauses to remind his readers of God's identity. God, the Lord, is the one who created the heavens that fill the vast sky (Genesis 1:1–8). Everything a person can see, and many things they cannot see, are all placed by Him. This was not accomplished by any of the innumerable false deities represented by idols and worshiped by the pagan nations of the earth.

God alone is the Creator of both the heavens and earth. He is pictured as stretching out the earth in every direction, along with all the creatures and features that come with it. More than making places, though, Isaiah says God is the life-giver. He puts both breath and spirit into every person who walks the earth.

These points are important for establishing context for the coming of the Servant, who will bring order and justice. First, they reaffirm that the Lord has the right to do this. He is the One who made everything, so He has the right to use His creation as He sees fit. Second, they remind the world that God has the power to do what He has promised; if He has the power to create all things, He has the power to influence them. Finally, it means that the same God who made the earth and sustains all its life will one day bring peace, order, and justice to the earth.

Isaiah 42:1–9 describes a Servant whom the Lord will send. This is one of the Old Testament's direct references to the Messiah. This figure would be revealed completely in the person of Jesus Christ. The Servant greatly pleases God and carries God's Spirit. He will bring justice through gentleness and patience. This Servant is a sign of God's promises to the people, and a source of truth and goodness for all the earth. He will heal, rescue, restore, and empower His people. The man-made idols of pagan nations cannot make these predictions because they are false.

The Lord calls everyone to see the Servant He delights in. This figure will bring His Spirit and deliver justice to the nations. The Lord will give the Servant as a covenant for the people. All of mankind is invited to praise God for what He has done. He will use His power to save His people, though it will be some time before He does so. Israel, the other "servant," mentioned here, has lived in voluntary blindness. They refuse to acknowledge what they see from the Lord. He has poured out anger on them for their sin, but they won't see it.

Isaiah 42 follows God's verdict that the idols of the nations are less than nothing (Isaiah 41). God's ultimate plan to bring justice to the world is described here. He will send His Servant, the delight of His soul, as a covenant for the people and a light for the nations. The Lord will use His power to save His people, but He wants Israel to see that their sin has brought about their suffering. Next, God will emphasize that He and He alone is the Savior of Israel (Isaiah 43).

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).