Isaiah 50:7

KJV

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069} will help {H5826} me; therefore shall I not be confounded {H3637}: therefore have I set {H7760} my face {H6440} like a flint {H2496}, and I know {H3045} that I shall not be ashamed {H954}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For Adonai ELOHIM will help. This is why no insult can wound me. This is why I have set my face like flint, knowing I will not be put to shame.

Berean Standard Bible

Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.

American Standard Version

For the Lord Jehovah will help me; therefore have I not been confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 50:7 presents a profound declaration of unwavering resolve and divine assurance from the Lord's Servant. Amidst anticipated opposition and suffering, the Servant expresses absolute confidence in God's unfailing help, asserting that He will not be disgraced or put to shame. This verse powerfully portrays a figure whose determination is as unyielding as flint, rooted in a deep, experiential knowledge of God's faithfulness and ultimate vindication. It serves as a cornerstone of the Servant's steadfast commitment to His redemptive mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 50:7 is a pivotal verse within the third of Isaiah's four "Servant Songs" (Isaiah 50:4-9). Following a depiction of the Servant's obedient ear and tongue, trained by God to speak words of sustenance to the weary (Isaiah 50:4), and His willingness to endure physical and verbal abuse for His mission (Isaiah 50:5-6), this verse marks a turning point. It shifts from the Servant's passive endurance to an active, resolute declaration of His unwavering commitment and certainty of divine vindication. The preceding verses establish the Servant's humility and suffering, while this verse highlights His inner strength and divine backing, setting the stage for the ultimate suffering and triumph detailed in the fourth Servant Song of [Isaiah 52:13-53:12](/isaiah/52 "Isaiah 52-53 - The Suffering Servant").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecies of Isaiah span a tumultuous period in Israel's history, from the Assyrian threat to the Babylonian exile and the promise of restoration. While the immediate historical backdrop often involves the experiences of the nation Israel, the Servant Songs transcend these specific events, pointing to a unique individual whose mission has universal redemptive scope. The imagery of "setting one's face like a flint" would have resonated deeply with an ancient audience familiar with the hardness and durability of flint stone, used for tools and weapons. It conveys an unyielding, irreversible decision, much like a traveler determinedly setting out on a difficult journey with no intention of turning back. This cultural understanding of resolute determination underscores the Servant's commitment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major theological themes prevalent in Isaiah and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Help and Reliance**, where the Servant's strength and assurance are entirely predicated on the Lord GOD's assistance. This trust in God's omnipotence and faithfulness is the bedrock of His resolve. Another prominent theme is **Unwavering Resolve and Obedience**, vividly expressed through the metaphor of setting one's face like a flint. This speaks to a steadfast, unyielding commitment to God's will, even in the face of profound suffering and opposition, foreshadowing the ultimate obedience of Christ, who [set His face to go to Jerusalem](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus' Resolute Journey"). Finally, the theme of **Ultimate Vindication and Honor** is central, as the Servant declares He will not be confounded or ashamed. This certainty of divine justification speaks to the triumph over suffering and disgrace, ensuring that the Servant's mission, though involving humiliation, will ultimately culminate in glorious success and honor, as seen in the ultimate exaltation of the [Suffering Servant](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **GOD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvih'_):** This term (H3069) is a variation of YHWH, the personal covenant name of God, often pronounced as "Adonai" by Jews to avoid speaking the sacred name. Its use alongside "Lord" (H136, _ʼĂdônây_) in "Lord GOD" emphasizes the absolute sovereignty and covenant faithfulness of the One who helps the Servant. It signifies that the Servant's helper is not merely a powerful deity, but the very God who has entered into covenant relationship and is utterly dependable.
* **flint (Hebrew, _challâmîysh'_):** From H2496, this word literally means "flint," a very hard, unyielding stone. The imagery of setting one's face "like a flint" powerfully conveys an unyielding, unchangeable, and resolute determination. It suggests an absolute commitment to a course of action, impervious to external pressures, pain, or opposition. The Servant's resolve is not merely strong but unbreakably firm, like the stone itself.
* **ashamed (Hebrew, _bûwsh'_):** From H954, this primitive root means "to pale," and by implication, "to be ashamed," "disappointed," or "delayed." The Servant's declaration "I shall not be ashamed" signifies an absolute certainty of ultimate vindication and success. Despite any temporary humiliation or apparent failure, the Servant knows that His mission will not fail, nor will He be disgraced or proven wrong in the end. This contrasts with the idea of being "confounded" (H3637, _kâlam'_), which implies being put to confusion or disgrace, often publicly.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the Lord GOD will help me;":** This opening clause establishes the foundational premise of the Servant's confidence. His strength and resolve are not self-generated but flow directly from the promised assistance of the sovereign and covenant-keeping God (YHWH). The future tense "will help" indicates a certainty of divine intervention and support for the Servant's mission.
* **"therefore shall I not be confounded:":** As a direct consequence of God's help, the Servant declares He will not be put to shame, disgraced, or brought to confusion. This speaks to a public vindication, where any attempts to discredit or humiliate Him will ultimately fail because God Himself is His defender.
* **"therefore have I set my face like a flint,":** This is a powerful declaration of the Servant's active, unwavering resolve. Because He knows God will help Him and prevent His disgrace, He has firmly and irreversibly committed Himself to His mission. The metaphor of "flint" emphasizes an unyielding, unchangeable determination, a fixed gaze on the goal despite any obstacles or suffering.
* **"and I know that I shall not be ashamed.":** This final clause reiterates and reinforces the Servant's certainty of ultimate vindication. The phrase "I know" (H3045, _yâdaʻ_) implies a deep, experiential, and absolute certainty. It is not mere hope but a settled conviction that His mission will not end in failure or dishonor, but in triumph and glory, guaranteed by God's faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 50:7 is rich in literary artistry, powerfully conveying the Servant's character and mission. The most striking device is the **Simile** and **Idiom** in "have I set my face like a flint." This vivid comparison to a hard, unyielding stone is an ancient idiom signifying unshakeable determination and an irreversible decision. It conjures an image of resolute forward movement, impervious to pain or opposition. The verse also employs **Parallelism**, particularly in the repetition of "therefore" and the double negation of "not be confounded" and "not be ashamed." This reinforces the certainty of divine vindication and the Servant's unwavering confidence. The entire verse functions as a **Declaration of Resolve**, a powerful statement of intent and certainty spoken by the Servant, which serves to build anticipation for His future actions and ultimate triumph.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 50:7 offers profound theological insights into the nature of divine-human partnership in redemptive history and the character of the Messiah. It underscores the truth that true strength and unwavering resolve in the face of adversity are not born of human might but of absolute reliance on God's promised help. This verse foreshadows the perfect obedience and steadfastness of the Lord's Servant, whose mission would involve immense suffering but would ultimately culminate in glorious vindication. It speaks to the divine assurance that those who faithfully pursue God's will, even through hardship, will ultimately be upheld and honored by Him, never truly put to shame. This theme of divine vindication for the righteous, especially in suffering, resonates throughout Scripture, promising ultimate triumph over apparent defeat.

* [Psalm 25:2](/psalm/25-2 "Psalm 25:2 - Trust in God, Not Ashamed")
* [Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - Hope Does Not Put Us to Shame")
* [1 Peter 2:6](/1_peter/2-6 "1 Peter 2:6 - Cornerstone Not Put to Shame")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 50:7 is a powerful source of encouragement and a call to emulate the Servant's resolute faith. In a world that often demands compromise or tempts us to abandon our convictions when faced with opposition, this verse reminds us that our steadfastness is rooted not in our own strength, but in the unfailing help of the Lord GOD. When we feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or even publicly disgraced for standing for truth, we can draw courage from the Servant's "flint-like" determination. This verse challenges us to examine our own commitment to God's calling in our lives: are we willing to set our faces like flint, knowing that our ultimate vindication comes from Him? It invites us to cultivate a deep, experiential knowledge of God's faithfulness, trusting that He will never allow His faithful servants to be utterly confounded or put to shame in the end. This divine assurance empowers us to persevere with unwavering hope and courage, knowing our labor in the Lord is never in vain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to "set your face like a flint" for God's will, despite potential opposition or discomfort?**
* **How does the Servant's confidence in God's help (rather than His own strength) challenge your approach to difficult situations?**
* **When have you felt "confounded" or "ashamed" for your faith, and how can the promise of divine vindication in this verse strengthen you?**

### FAQ
**What does "set my face like a flint" mean in a practical sense for believers today?**

Answer: For believers today, "setting one's face like a flint" means cultivating an unwavering, unyielding determination and resolve in pursuing God's will and standing for His truth, even when faced with significant opposition, ridicule, or suffering. It implies a fixed gaze on the divine purpose, refusing to be swayed or deterred by external pressures or personal discomfort. Practically, this looks like steadfast obedience to Christ's commands, unwavering commitment to the Great Commission (as seen in [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")), and a refusal to compromise biblical principles, trusting that God will ultimately vindicate and uphold those who faithfully follow Him. It's a call to spiritual resilience and courageous perseverance, much like the example of Jesus Himself, who [steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus' Resolute Journey to Jerusalem") despite knowing the suffering that awaited Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 50:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the quintessential Suffering Servant of God. This verse perfectly encapsulates the Lord Jesus' resolute determination as He walked the path of obedience that led to the cross. Just as the Servant declared, "For the Lord GOD will help me," Jesus continually relied on His Father, stating, "[I can do nothing on my own](/john/5-30 "John 5:30 - Jesus' Dependence on the Father"); I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me." His unwavering resolve to accomplish the Father's will, even unto death, is precisely what it means to "set my face like a flint." Luke's Gospel explicitly notes that Jesus "[steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus' Resolute Journey to Jerusalem")," knowing full well the suffering and crucifixion that awaited Him there. Despite the immense shame, mockery, and physical abuse He endured (foreshadowed in [Isaiah 50:6](/isaiah/50-6 "Isaiah 50:6 - The Servant's Suffering")), Jesus knew He would "not be confounded" and would "not be ashamed." This confidence was vindicated in His glorious resurrection from the dead, His ascension to the Father's right hand, and His ultimate exaltation, proving that His mission was not a failure but the triumphant act of cosmic redemption. His steadfastness ensures that all who trust in Him will likewise "[never be put to shame](/romans/10-11 "Romans 10:11 - Trust in Him, Not Ashamed")."

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 13:6

So that we may boldly say, The Lord [is] my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Ezekiel 3:8

Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.

Ezekiel 3:9

As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a rebellious house.

Isaiah 42:1

¶ 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.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Romans 1:16

¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Psalms 89:21

With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.