He will be successful.

Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.  (14)  As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:  (15)  So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.  

Isaiah 52:13-15

Explanation:

Now I take you to the beginning of this section of scripture.  Notice that this prediction comes at the very beginning of the 5 stanzas of this section of Isaiah.  This prophesy- this section- has been different than others in Isaiah that refer to the servant.  The servant has been described before as a wonderful counselor.   The mighty God.  The everlasting father and prince of peace.  The increase of his government will have no end.  It is all very grandiose.   It is almost as if Isaiah knows he will be referring to something so different in this text.  He will be sorrowful, sacrificed, and silent.  He wants us to know from the outset that the servant will be successful!  It’s going to work out…

(13)  Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

Isaiah 52:13

The idea of “shall deal prudently” in this text indicates that the servant will make the exact right choices when he comes.  As a result of these choices he will be exalted.  He will be extolled.

(14)  As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

Isaiah 52:14

He will be exalted and extolled…and many will be astonished!  Astonished by what?  First by the humility and even the humiliation in his first coming, and in his death on the cross.  His body will be so marred that he will be unrecognizable.  This is something that is fulfilled in Christ’s coming.  And as a result of this humility he will have an incredible impact on the world. 

(15)  So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Isaiah 52:15

Isaiah prophesies that the success of his humiliation will lead to a worldwide exaltation.  He will cleanse the nations.  People from every tribe and nation and tongue will believe on Jesus.  Even though they had not heard of the prophesy- even though they had not been told of this prophesy- of his coming and his death, they will see it, and many will believe!

Isn’t this prediction incredible?  Jesus’s birth, life, death, burial and resurrection will bring about exactly what God desires.  It will bring the exaltation of His Son and the redemption and justification of those who believe on Him from every nation of the world.

Application:

You can know that the Christ predicted here is the Christ of History.    He is the Christ predicted in prophecy.   He is the Christ that is alive today ever making intercession for us!  Life can be joyful because He was sorrowful, sacrificed, silent, satisfied and successful!

Response:

• Christian, Is your life evidenced by worship of Christ?  Is your life about Jesus?  If not, will you worship him today?
• If you have not recognized him as your own personal Savior, God offers you this gift of salvation today!