READ: Is. 42:5-9: … I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house …
The promise of the coming of Christ and the description of His work testify to the faithfulness, glory, and omnipotence of the LORD as the God of the Covenant. He who sends His Servant has created heaven and earth. He sustains all living things and provides for plants, animals, and humans. He ensures that all His promises come true exactly as foretold (v.9).
Thus, His name is the LORD: He is known by this name, and He desires to be honored and praised in this way (v.8). There is no room for idols. In verses 6 and 7, we read more about the mighty work of the Servant, which He will carry out on behalf of the LORD.
Verse 6: “I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, I will hold Your hand, I will keep You, and I will make You a covenant to the people, a light to the Gentiles.” Christ comes not only for the Jews but also for the Gentiles. He comes according to the covenant promises and faithfulness of the Covenant God once made to Abraham and David.
It is stated even stronger here: “I will make You a covenant for the people.” Christ is the Mediator of the covenant between God and His people. He will give His blood for this.
In the promise to Abraham, the Gentiles were also included (Gen. 12:3). Therefore, He is also a light to the Gentiles, who were sitting in darkness. The beloved Son of God comes as the Savior of humanity, as the light.
Light signifies salvation and life; darkness signifies destruction and death. Light is where God reigns, darkness is where Satan reigns. Even in Israel, it was dark (Matt. 4:15-17) when Jesus came. But His preaching, miracles, and victory on the cross brought light, life, and liberation.
That gospel went out into the world and reached us too (Acts 13:47; 26:23)!
Where do we recognize darkness today?
Sing: Ps. 89:11