Isaiah 42:4

He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

He shall not fail {H3543} nor be discouraged {H7533}, till he have set {H7760} judgment {H4941} in the earth {H776}: and the isles {H339} shall wait {H3176} for his law {H8451}.

he will not weaken or be crushed until he has established justice on the earth, and the coastlands wait for his Torah."

He will not grow weak or discouraged before He has established justice on the earth. In His law the islands will put their hope.”

He will not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set justice in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his law.

Isaiah 42:4 is a powerful declaration concerning the steadfastness and ultimate triumph of the Lord's Servant, a figure widely understood as a messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ. This verse assures us of His unwavering resolve to establish God's righteous rule and truth across the entire earth, attracting even the most distant peoples to His divine instruction.

Context

This verse is part of the first of four "Servant Songs" found in the book of Isaiah (chapters 42, 49, 50, 52-53). These passages introduce and describe the character and mission of God's chosen Servant. In Isaiah 42:1, the Servant is presented as one on whom God's Spirit rests, chosen to bring "judgment to the Gentiles." Verses 2 and 3 describe His gentle, non-confrontational approach, emphasizing His compassion. Verse 4 then highlights His unyielding determination in fulfilling this global mission, contrasting with the often-failing human efforts to establish justice.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Determination of the Servant: The phrase "He shall not fail nor be discouraged" underscores the absolute certainty and divine resolve of the Servant. Unlike human leaders who may grow weary or give up, the Messiah's mission is divinely appointed and guaranteed to succeed, regardless of opposition or delay. This speaks to Christ's perseverance in His earthly ministry and His ongoing work.
  • Global Establishment of Justice and Righteousness: "till he have set judgment in the earth" points to the worldwide scope of the Servant's mission. The Hebrew word for "judgment" (mishpat) here refers not merely to legal verdicts but to divine justice, righteousness, and the establishment of proper order according to God's will. The Servant's ultimate goal is to bring God's righteous governance and truth to all nations.
  • Anticipation by Distant Nations: "and the isles shall wait for his law" signifies the eager expectation and eventual submission of the "isles" or "coastlands"—a biblical term often referring to distant Gentile nations. They will not only hear but actively anticipate and embrace His "law" (Torah), which here means His teaching, instruction, and divine revelation. This highlights the universal appeal and reach of the Messiah's message, drawing people from all corners of the earth into His kingdom. The Servant is truly a light to the Gentiles.

Linguistic Insights

The term "judgment" (מִשְׁפָּט - mishpat) is rich in meaning. While it can mean a legal decision, in this context, it broadly encompasses justice, righteousness, and the divine order that God intends for the world. The Servant's role is to establish this comprehensive divine standard. Similarly, "law" (תּוֹרָה - Torah) goes beyond the Mosaic Law to signify divine teaching, instruction, and revelation, which the distant nations will eagerly receive.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement and a call to hope. In a world often marked by injustice and despair, Isaiah 42:4 reminds us that God's plan for righteousness is unwavering and will ultimately prevail through His Servant. For believers, it provides assurance that the work of Christ is not in vain and His kingdom will indeed be established globally. It also challenges us to participate in spreading this divine truth and justice, knowing that our efforts are part of a larger, guaranteed victory. Just as Christ endured the cross, despising the shame, His followers are called to persevere in their faith and mission.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 53:2

    For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.

  • Isaiah 53:12

    Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

  • Genesis 49:10

    The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the people [be].

  • Isaiah 55:5

    Behold, thou shalt call a nation [that] thou knowest not, and nations [that] knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

  • Isaiah 52:13

    ¶ Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

  • Isaiah 52:15

    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.

  • Matthew 12:21

    And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
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