Isaiah 53

“Your God is Evil”

Better Understanding Our Father

Context of Isaiah 53

The section of Isaiah that deals with the Messiah and His coming Kingdom.

The prophecy itself is Messianic, as confirmed by New Testament Scripture: Philip identified this text as Messianic- Acts

8.32ff Mark points back to Isaiah 53- Mark 15.27-28 Peter connected Jesus to Isaiah 53- 1 Peter

2.22 Isaiah is focusing on Jesus and His work

in redeeming mankind from sin.

An Evil God?

Isaiah 53.10 gives occasion for some to mischaracterize God . By identifying what they think are

deficiencies in God’s character, some think they defeat the Biblical concept of a loving God.

If the concept of a loving God is defeated, then the entire system built upon Him is flawed.“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief…”

Why Was God Pleased?

God did not take delight in pain of Jesus. How could such a being be called “good”? Does a father enjoy his child’s pain? God desires to remove our pain- Revelation 21.4

God did not pour all the sin of all time into Jesus and then punish Him for that. Neither sin nor righteousness is transferable-

Ezek. 18.20. Jesus’ sacrifice was free from sin- 1 Peter 1.19 Jesus perfect character is affirmed by Isaiah- 53.9

Isaiah 53.10 – “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief…”

Why Was God Pleased?

God’s pleasure in Jesus’ sacrifice is connected with: “an offering for sin” – Isaiah 53.10▪ The only sufficient sacrifice was divine- Acts 20.28

“My Servant shall justify many” – Isaiah 53.11▪ The death of One for the salvation of many- Romans 5.18-19

“He shall bear their iniquities” – Isaiah 53.11▪ It is the language of the scapegoat- Leviticus 16.21-22▪ Jesus relieves the burden of sin- John 8.34-36

“intercession for the transgressors” – Isaiah 53.12▪ Jesus is the means by which man is forgiven- Hebrews 2.17-

18Isaiah 53.10 – “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He

has put Him to grief…”

Why Was God Pleased?

God was pleased: Because of Jesus’ perfect obedience.▪ Isaiah 53.5-9 (John 8.29)

Because His perfect plan was being fulfilled.▪ Isaiah 53.1-2 (Ephesians 1)

Because through the sacrifice of His Son, the forgiveness of mankind was made possible.▪ Isaiah 53.8-12 (John 3.16)

Isaiah 53.10 – “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief…”

Is God Evil? – No! He is loving!