Isaiah , Sarah Barry
INSTRUCTED TONGUE AND LISTENING EAR
Passage: Isaiah 50:1~11  
Key verse: 4
Israel’s Sin and the Servant’s Obedience
50 This is what the Lord says:
“Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce(A)
with which I sent her away?
Or to which of my creditors
did I sell(B) you?
Because of your sins(C) you were sold;(D)
because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.
2 When I came, why was there no one?
When I called, why was there no one to answer?(E)
Was my arm too short(F) to deliver you?
Do I lack the strength(G) to rescue you?
By a mere rebuke(H) I dry up the sea,(I)
I turn rivers into a desert;(J)
their fish rot for lack of water
and die of thirst.
3 I clothe the heavens with darkness(K)
and make sackcloth(L) its covering.”
4 The Sovereign Lord(M) has given me a well-instructed tongue,(N)
to know the word that sustains the weary.(O)
He wakens me morning by morning,(P)
wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.(Q)
5 The Sovereign Lord(R) has opened my ears;(S)
I have not been rebellious,(T)
I have not turned away.
6 I offered my back to those who beat(U) me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;(V)
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.(W)
7 Because the Sovereign Lord(X) helps(Y) me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,(Z)
and I know I will not be put to shame.(AA)
8 He who vindicates(AB) me is near.(AC)
Who then will bring charges against me?(AD)
Let us face each other!(AE)
Who is my accuser?
Let him confront me!
9 It is the Sovereign Lord(AF) who helps(AG) me.
Who will condemn(AH) me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
the moths(AI) will eat them up.
10 Who among you fears(AJ) the Lord
and obeys(AK) the word of his servant?(AL)
Let the one who walks in the dark,
who has no light,(AM)
trust(AN) in the name of the Lord
and rely on their God.
11 But now, all you who light fires
and provide yourselves with flaming torches,(AO)
go, walk in the light of your fires(AP)
and of the torches you have set ablaze.
This is what you shall receive from my hand:(AQ)
You will lie down in torment.(AR)
Cross references
- Isaiah 50:1 : S Dt 24:1; Hos 2:2; Mt 19:7; Mk 10:4
- Isaiah 50:1 : S Ne 5:5; S Mt 18:25
- Isaiah 50:1 : S Isa 1:28
- Isaiah 50:1 : S Dt 32:30; S Jdg 3:8
- Isaiah 50:2 : S 1Sa 8:19; S Isa 41:28
- Isaiah 50:2 : Nu 11:23; Isa 59:1
- Isaiah 50:2 : S Ge 18:14; S Ps 68:35; Jer 14:9
- Isaiah 50:2 : S Ps 18:15
- Isaiah 50:2 : S Ex 14:22
- Isaiah 50:2 : S Ps 107:33
- Isaiah 50:3 : S Ex 10:22; S Isa 5:30
- Isaiah 50:3 : Rev 6:12
- Isaiah 50:4 : ver 5; Isa 61:1
- Isaiah 50:4 : S Ex 4:12
- Isaiah 50:4 : S Isa 40:29; Mt 11:28
- Isaiah 50:4 : Ps 5:3; 88:13; 119:147; 143:8
- Isaiah 50:4 : S Isa 28:9
- Isaiah 50:5 : S Isa 48:16
- Isaiah 50:5 : Isa 35:5
- Isaiah 50:5 : Eze 2:8; 24:3; S Mt 26:39; Jn 8:29; 14:31; 15:10; Ac 26:19; Heb 5:8
- Isaiah 50:6 : Isa 53:5; Mt 27:30; Mk 14:65; 15:19; Lk 22:63; Jn 19:1
- Isaiah 50:6 : S 2Sa 10:4
- Isaiah 50:6 : S Nu 12:14; La 3:30; Mt 26:67; Mk 10:34
- Isaiah 50:7 : S Isa 48:16
- Isaiah 50:7 : S Isa 41:10; 42:1
- Isaiah 50:7 : Jer 1:18; 15:20; Eze 3:8-9
- Isaiah 50:7 : S Isa 28:16; S 29:22
- Isaiah 50:8 : S Isa 26:2; S 49:4
- Isaiah 50:8 : S Ps 34:18
- Isaiah 50:8 : S Job 13:19; S Isa 43:26; Ro 8:32-34
- Isaiah 50:8 : S Isa 41:1
- Isaiah 50:9 : S Isa 48:16
- Isaiah 50:9 : S Isa 41:10
- Isaiah 50:9 : Ro 8:1, 34
- Isaiah 50:9 : S Job 13:28; S Isa 51:8
- Isaiah 50:10 : S Pr 1:7
- Isaiah 50:10 : Isa 1:19; Hag 1:12
- Isaiah 50:10 : S Isa 49:3
- Isaiah 50:10 : S Ps 107:14; Ac 26:18
- Isaiah 50:10 : S Isa 10:20; S 26:4
- Isaiah 50:11 : Pr 26:18
- Isaiah 50:11 : Isa 1:31; Jas 3:6
- Isaiah 50:11 : S Dt 21:22-23; S Pr 26:27
- Isaiah 50:11 : S Job 15:20; Isa 65:13-15
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
There is a contrast between the transgressions of Israel (1) and the obedience of the LORD’s servant (5). The servant reveals God with an instructed tongue and gives life to those who are weary and burdened by sin. He also has listening ears and a humble obedient heart. His obedience results in suffering for him, but he is willing to bear the abuse, for he knows that God would vindicate him in the end. This was vividly portrayed in the life and ministry of Jesus. Our Lord Jesus was mocked, despised, and humiliated, but he willingly suffered for sinful mankind. Anyone who doesn’t listen to and obey the words of the servant and lights fires of rebellion will lie down in torment.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus who taught the word of God to the weary and suffered for my sins. Help me to have an instructed tongue and listening ears to serve those who are weary and burdened.
One Word: Waken my ear to listen to you, Lord!