Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 29:1 (Mar 2020)
Article: Isaiah 55:11 With New Creation Theme And The Servant Of The Lord As Witnessed In Jesus In The Fourth Gospel
Author: Gerard Bernard

Conspectus 29:1 (March 2020) p. 26

Isaiah 55:11 With New Creation Theme And The Servant Of The Lord As Witnessed In Jesus In The Fourth Gospel1

Gerard Bernard

and

Dan Lioy2

Abstract

This essay is the second in a two-part series on the theme of creation in the Fourth Gospel. The essays are based on the author’s dissertation written under Professor Dan Lioy’s supervision. In this particular essay, the analysis focuses on the connection between Yahweh’s word (rhēma) in Isaiah 55:11 and his Servant as revealed in the person and works of Jesus Christ. In the redemptive sense of the new creation, Jesus fulfils the role of the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah while embodying Yahweh’s will contained in his (Yahweh’s) word. It seems that the efficacy of Yahweh’s word in Isaiah 55:11 to accomplish his will is witnessed in the fulfilment of the role of Yahweh’s Servant in the person and works of Jesus Christ. At the same time, Jesus also assumes the role of the Creator-God in Isaiah.

Keywords

Creation theology; servant of the Lord; Isaiah; Fourth Gospel.

Conspectus 29:1 (March 2020) p. 27

1. Introduction

The Fourth Gospel portrays Jesus Christ as the incarnation of the Creator-Word. In the incarnation, Jesus seems to be fulfilling the role of the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah, particularly as described in Isaiah 42:1–9. While fulfilling the Servant’s role, Jesus is also seen as embodying Yahweh’s word (rhēma), which contains his (Yahweh’s) creative will, in Isaiah 55:11. In other words, the efficacy of Yahweh’s rhēma in the new creation is witnessed in Jesus Christ and his works. Thus a connection occurs between Yahweh’s rhēma in Isaiah 55:11 and the description of Yahweh’s Servant in Isaiah 42.

This essay is the second in a series of two treatises based on the author’s dissertation on the theme of creation in the Fourth Gospel. In the current essay, the investigation concentrates on the connection between Yahweh’s creative word (rhēma) in Isaiah 55:11 and his Servant as revealed in the person and works of Jesus Christ.

The investigation begins with an analysis of Isaiah 55:11 wit...