Isaiah 53:6

Isaiah 53:6 is a pivotal verse within the "Suffering Servant" passage (Isaiah 52:13-53:12), often considered the heart of Old Testament prophecy regarding the Messiah's atoning work. It starkly presents humanity's universal sinfulness and God's divine solution through a substitute.

Context

This verse is part of a prophetic poem describing a servant who suffers vicariously for the sins of others. Written centuries before Christ, it provides a remarkably detailed foresight into the nature of Jesus' mission. The imagery of "sheep" was deeply resonant in ancient Israel, symbolizing the flock's inherent tendency to wander away from the shepherd's guidance, leading to danger and loss. This highlights humanity's collective and individual rebellion against God's righteous path, setting the stage for the need of a divine intervention.

Key Themes and Messages

• Universal Sinfulness: The phrase "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way" powerfully asserts the pervasive nature of sin. It's not just some people, but "all," and the straying is a deliberate act of choosing one's own desires over God's will. This resonates with the New Testament declaration that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God".
• Substitutionary Atonement: The core message is found in "and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." This reveals God's sovereign plan to transfer the guilt and punishment for humanity's sins onto an innocent party. This "him" is clearly understood by Christians as Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who would bear the penalty that humanity deserved.
• Divine Initiative: It is "the LORD" who takes the initiative to lay the iniquity upon the Servant, emphasizing that salvation is fundamentally God's gracious act, not something humanity earns or achieves on its own.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew word for "gone astray" is ta'inu (תָּעִינוּ), implying a wandering, an error, or a deviation from the correct path. It suggests a conscious choice to deviate.
• "His own way" (darko - דַּרְכּוֹ) underscores the individualism and self-centeredness of sin—each person choosing their own path apart from God's.
• "Laid on him" comes from the Hebrew root hiphgia (הִפְגִּיעַ), which means "to cause to meet," "to strike," or "to fall upon." It conveys the idea of a deliberate and decisive act where the full weight of humanity's sin and its consequences were divinely imposed upon the Suffering Servant.
• "Iniquity" (avon - עָוֹן) refers not just to the sin itself, but also the guilt, perversity, and punishment associated with it.

Practical Application

Isaiah 53:6 profoundly impacts our understanding of our relationship with God. It calls us to:

• Acknowledge Our Sin: Recognize our inherent tendency to stray and choose our own way, confirming our need for a Savior.
• Appreciate God's Love: Marvel at the immense love and grace of God, who, in His divine plan, provided a way for our sins to be atoned for through His Servant. This is the essence of the gospel message, where Jesus is identified as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
• Embrace Forgiveness: Find hope and peace in the truth that our iniquity has been laid upon Christ, offering us forgiveness, reconciliation, and a new relationship with God.