Stay Upon Your God

Isaiah 50:1-11

INTRODUCTION: Stedfastness, faithfulness, loyalty, and single-mindedness are rare qualities in the present age. Ashamedly so, believers are not much different from the world in this aspect. As it is in all areas of character, our example is perfectly demonstrated in Jesus Christ. Israel’s sin required redemption. The Saviour’s work began with His incarnation, but He demonstrated dogged determination to finish the work which the Father sent Him to do.

I. THE SPEAKER OF THE PASSAGE (Isaiah 50:1-3)

A. His Identity – “Thus saith the LORD” (Isaiah 50:1)

B. His Concern (Isaiah 50:1-2)

1. Israel’s putting away (Isaiah 50:1)
a. Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement, whom I have put away?
b. For your transgressions is your mother put away.
2. Israel’s redemption (Isaiah 50:1-2)
a. Which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you (Isaiah 50:1)?
b. For your iniquities have ye sold yourselves (Isaiah 50:1).
c. Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem (Isaiah 50:2)?

C. His Power (Isaiah 50:2-3)

1. He drieth up the waters (Isaiah 50:2).
2. He darkeneth the heavens (Isaiah 50:3).

II. THE CONTEXT OF THE PASSAGE (Isaiah 50:4-9)

A. The Incarnation of Christ (Isaiah 50:4-5)

1. The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear (Isaiah 50:5)
a. The Saviour’s ears were opened (Psalm 40:6; Exodus 21:6)
b. This opening is identified as the incarnation (Hebrews 10:5)
2. I was not rebellious, neither turned away back (Isaiah 50:5)

B. The Crucifixion (Isaiah 50:6-9)

1. The Lord gave His back to the smiters (Isaiah 50:6).
2. He gave His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair (Isaiah 50:6).
3. He hid not His face from shame and spitting (Isaiah 50:6).
4. He resigned to the Father’s help and the adversary’s assault (Isaiah 50:7-9)
a. The Lord GOD will help (Isaiah 50:7)
b. He is near that justifieth (Isaiah 50:8)
c. The Lord GOD will help (Isaiah 50:9)
5. He resolved to finish the work (Isaiah 50:7)
a. He set His face like a flint.
1.) A flint is a type of rock noted for its hardness.
2.) This suggests that the Saviour had an unwavering determination to finish His task (Luke 9:51-53).
3.) For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2).
b. He knew He would not be ashamed.

III. THE ADMONITION OF THE PASSAGE (Isaiah 50:10-11)

A. The Audience of the Admonition (Isaiah 50:10)

1. He that feareth the LORD
2. He that obeyeth the voice of His servant

B. The Circumstances of the Admonition (Isaiah 50:10)

1. That walketh in darkness
2. That hath no light

C. The Content of the Admonition (Isaiah 50:10)

1. Trust in the name of the LORD
2. Stay upon your God (see Hebrews 12:1-3)

D. The Warning to Others (Isaiah 50:11)

CONCLUSION: The Saviour set His face like a flint to go to the cross. For us to do any less in our service to Him is shameful.