Isaiah 42:20

"Who is blind, but my servant? Or who is as deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is as blind as he who is at peace, and as blind as the LORD’s servant?"

Key Reflection

Isaiah 42:20 highlights the paradoxical nature of God's servants in their mission to reveal his truth. The verse contrasts those who are truly blind and deaf—those at peace with their ignorance—with God’s messenger, who despite apparent blindness, faithfully serves the Lord. This serves to underscore the effectiveness and reliability of the servant of the Lord, even as others remain in spiritual darkness. Such a servant, though seemingly unaware or unhearing, is chosen by the Lord for his righteous mission, emphasizing that true insight comes not from self-perceived wisdom but from divine guidance.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Seeing many things -That is, the people, the Jews, spoken of here as the servants of God. They had had an opportunity of observing many things pertaining to the law, the government, and the dealing of Yahweh. They had often witnessed his interposition in the days of calamity, and he often rescued them from peril. These things they could not but have observed, much as they had chosen to disregard the lessons which they were calculated to convey. But thou observest not -Thou dost not keep them (תשׁמרtı̂shmor); thou dost not regard them. Opening the ears -Thou hast thine ears open.

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