In 1946, Bedouin shepherds stumbled upon jars in the Dead Sea caves of Israel containing fully intact scrolls of the Book of Isaiah. This discovery sent shockwaves through the academic world, challenging the skepticism of liberal scholars who had questioned the authenticity of Isaiah’s prophecies. Before this finding, the oldest known Old Testament manuscript was the Masoretic Text, compiled in the 7th century AD. However, dating analysis revealed that some of these scrolls were recorded as early as 356 BC—more than a thousand years older than previously known manuscripts. This discovery effectively silenced claims that Isaiah’s prophecies were later fabrications.

 

One of the must-visit sites in Jerusalem is the Israel Museum, where the Dead Sea Isaiah Scroll takes center stage in the Shrine of the Book.

 

Isaiah 53 presents a profound challenge to Jewish interpretations. Many assert that the "Servant of the Lord" refers to the Jewish nation rather than an individual. Yet deep down, an undeniable tension remains as they grapple with the true meaning of the passage.

 

This morning, I invite everyone to reflect on Isaiah 53, quoted from New International Version:

 

1 Who has believed our message

    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,

    and like a root out of dry ground.

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,

    nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,

    a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.

Like one from whom people hide their faces

    he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

 

4 Surely he took up our pain

    and bore our suffering,

yet we considered him punished by God,

    stricken by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

    he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

    and by his wounds we are healed.

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

    each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

    the iniquity of us all.

 

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,

    yet he did not open his mouth;

he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,

    and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,

    so he did not open his mouth.

8 By oppression[a] and judgment he was taken away.

    Yet who of his generation protested?

For he was cut off from the land of the living;

    for the transgression of my people he was punished.[b]

9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,

    and with the rich in his death,

though he had done no violence,

    nor was any deceit in his mouth.

 

10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,

    and though the Lord makes[c] his life an offering for sin,

he will see his offspring and prolong his days,

    and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

11 After he has suffered,

    he will see the light of life[d] and be satisfied[e];

by his knowledge[f] my righteous servant will justify many,

    and he will bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,[g]

    and he will divide the spoils with the strong,[h]

because he poured out his life unto death,

    and was numbered with the transgressors.

For he bore the sin of many,

    and made intercession for the transgressors.