Isaiah 41-42

In these verses we are introduced to the "suffering servant."  There will be several references in the coming days, climaxing with Isaiah 53- the most stunning portrayal of Jesus in the Old Testament.  In the early passages it is often the nation of Israel that is portrayed as the servant: they were supposed to be a light to the Gentiles but instead they are deaf and blind.  This is helping us to see how Jesus will, by himself, accomplish God's purposes for Israel by being a light to the nations.  Read it here.