I found this web site this morning, www.RoshaPinaProject.com, which offers a thorough analysis of who the suffering servant spoken of in Isaiah 53 is, which actually begins in Isaiah 50:10 .
The use of the word ‘servant’ is used in two contexts;
1) attributed to a specific person and
2) unattributed
From Isaiah 20 onwards, the attributed usage of ‘servant’ is applied to:
- Isaiah
- Israel
- Eliakim son of Hilkiah
- David
- Jacob
The unattributed usage of ‘servant’ is applied to:
- the redeemer of Israel, his Holy One
Aha! So the unnamed ‘servant’ is the ‘redeemer’ of Israel, his Holy One.
Reading Isaiah 49:26 we see who the ‘redeemer’ is….
I the LORD am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
So while the name Yeshua or Jesus is not mentioned, the identity of Yeshua / Jesus is as clear as daylight.
The sufferring Servant is Christ. If He took all the care to suffer for me, I find Isaiah 53 a chapter worth to study. It is a chapter that has given me a new insight in my Christianity- now and the days to come! I wish all men would study this book for the nourishment and revival of their souls.