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Fundamentals of Dispensational Truth.
(Second Series).
ISAIAH.
#24.
Isaiah 40: 12 - 42: 17.
The theme of the two "Servants" introduced.
pp. 9 - 11
The reader will have observed that Isaiah introduces, in direct contrast with idolatry,
the subject of "service".
"But thou, Israel, art My servant" (Isa. 41: 8).
"Behold My Servant" (Isa. 42: 1).
The etymology of the Greek word idolatry (eidololatreia) is suggestive of its essential
meaning. It is compounded of eidolon, "an image", from eidos, "a form" (which in its
turn is from eido "to see"), and latreia, "service", from latreito, "to serve". Idolatry is
"the service of that which is seen". Hence in the N.T. "covetousness" is called idolatry
(Eph. 5: 5)--a connection which, although not expressly stated in the O.T., is implied in
the Law:
First commandment.--"Thou shalt have no other gods."
Tenth commandment.--"Thou shalt not covet."
The reader will doubtless call to mind many passages where idolatry and the worship
of graven images is spoken of as "service":
"Thou shalt not bow down . . . . . nor serve them" (Exod. 20: 5).
"Driven to worship them, and serve them" (Deut. 4: 19).
"Walk after other gods, and serve them" (Deut. 8: 19).
"Following other gods to serve them" (Judges 2: 19).
"Whom they have loved, and whom they have served" (Jer. 8: 2).
Such acts of veneration and esteem as "bowing down", "worshipping", "walking
after", "following", and "loving", find their complement here in "serving". It is not
therefore strange--it is indeed of the very essence of the subject--that the section before
us places "Image worship" over against true "Service".
The first of the two servants referred to is named:
"But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham, my
friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the
chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art My servant: I have chosen thee, and not
cast thee away" (Isa. 41: 8, 9).
The second is unnamed, but His character and mission are defined:
"Behold My Servant, Whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I
have put My spirit upon Him; He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles" (Isa. 42: 1).