Isaiah 42

The Servant of the LORD

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. Isaiah 42:1–4

The Father points to his chosen Servant, in whom he delights, who has the Spirit upon him and treats broken people gently. Matthew quotes these verses as fulfilled in Jesus, and the Father's words echo what he said at Jesus's baptism.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by Matthew 12:17-21 — Matthew quotes Isaiah 42:1-4 as fulfilled in Jesus's quiet healing ministry.
• fulfilled by Matthew 3:17 — "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" — the Father's delight in his Servant.
• fulfilled by Luke 3:22 — The Spirit comes down upon Jesus at his baptism.

Creation by Christ

Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: Isaiah 42:5

God the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth, speaks to his Servant. Jehovah created the earth under the Father, but because this verse speaks to the Servant, the speaker may be the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same event in Moses 1:33 — Worlds without number were created "by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten."

Covenant of the People, Light of the Gentiles

I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; Isaiah 42:6–7

The Servant will be a covenant for the people and a light to the Gentiles. He will open blind eyes and free prisoners. Jesus did this in his earthly ministry, and he opened the prison of the dead through the preaching in the spirit world.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by Luke 2:32 — Simeon holds the baby Jesus: "A light to lighten the Gentiles."
• fulfilled by Luke 4:18 — Jesus announces his mission to preach "deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind."
• fulfilled by D&C 138:18 — Christ in the spirit world declares liberty to the captives.
• the same title in Isaiah 49:6 — "I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles."

Jehovah

Jehovah (LORD) — "He who is," the self-existent, covenant God

I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Isaiah 42:8

The LORD says his covenant name is his and his glory belongs to no idol. That name belongs to the premortal Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Isaiah 48:11 — "I will not give my glory unto another."

The LORD Goes Forth in Power

The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. Isaiah 42:13–16

Jehovah rises up as a mighty warrior against evil, yet he leads the blind and turns their darkness into light. It is a picture of the Lord's power and his mercy together, and it looks ahead to his coming.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Isaiah 40:4 — The crooked shall be made straight when the glory of the LORD is revealed.

Magnifier of the Law

The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. Isaiah 42:21

The LORD will magnify the law and make it honorable. Jesus came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it and raise it to a higher level.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by Matthew 5:17 — "I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
• fulfilled by 3 Nephi 15:5 — "I am he that gave the law ... the law in me is fulfilled."