Blind and Deaf Servants

Isaiah 42:18-20

18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my
messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is
perfect, and blind as the Lord's servant?
20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not;
opening the ears, but he heareth not.

The message in Isaiah 42:18-20 was directed toward a truly blessed people; the people of Israel and their national leaders. Over time, however, they had developed a problem with their ability to see and hear the Lord. The problem was that God's servants, the messengers He had chosen to communicate salvation to the world, had become spiritually blind and deaf. As God's own people, the Jews of Isaiah's day had every advantage and privilege over those around them. Yet they had become so hard-hearted and complacent toward their God that they could no longer see what He had done for them or hear what He had to say to them.

In New Testament times, God identifies His chosen people as those who follow Jesus Christ. The apostle Peter wrote to Christians living in his day...

1 Peter 2:9-10

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,
an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should
shew forth the praises of him who hath called you
out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now
the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but
now have obtained mercy.

God saw the people of Israel in the time of the prophet Isaiah the same way. Yet they had become blind to who they were and deaf toward the One who called them His own possession. As Christians living in the twenty-first century, let's never forget who we are or whose we are.

Reference: 365 Essential Questions from the Bible
www.barbourbooks.com

The Grim Reaper Preacher says, "Try reading the Bible from cover to cover - you'll like it."