Behold My Servant

There are 27 chapters of consolation in the later part of the book of Isaiah, running from chs 40-66. These chapters have been variously described. Someone called them 'the fifth Gospel'; Augustine said: Methinks Isaiah writes not a prophecy but a gospel'. Polycarp, a disciple of the apostle John called these chapters: 'the golden passional of the Old Testament'. These 27 chapters can be divided into 3 equal sections of 9 chapters each. These 9 chapters each end with similar sentiments: Section 1 chs 40-48; note the ending ch 48:22. Section 2 chs 49-57; note the ending ch 57:21. Section 3 chs 58-66, note the ending ch 66:24. These closing statements of each section highlight the exclusion of the wicked from the blessings that are found in the Messiah. There will be no peace for the wicked. Their end will be the place where the worm will not die and the fire will not be quenched. In each of these three sections there is a prominent personality. In the first section it is Cyrus, ch 44:28,45:1. In the second section it is the Servant of Jehovah. In the third section it is restored and converted Israel. Within these 27 golden chapters Isaiah 52:13-Isa 53:12 lies at the very centre.