Definition: Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this verse from Isaiah 53:10. It's a really powerful and symbolic passage about Jesus Christ. Hereās what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse describes Godās plan for Jesus to experience intense suffering and ultimately, victory over sin. Itās saying that God is deliberately setting things up so that Jesus will be used as a sacrifice to redeem humanity. Let's unpack the parts: āYet it pleased the LORD to bruise himā : This isnāt about physical pain like a punch. āBruiseā means to injure or damage something, often with a gentle blow. It suggests God is intentionally causing hardship and suffering for Jesus. It implies that this suffering is necessary for his purpose. āHe hath put [him] to griefā : This is the key phrase. The verse uses the word āgriefā which means deep sorrow, pain, or distress. Itās not just sadness; it's a profound and overwhelming feeling of being burdened by sin and shame. āWhen thou shalt make his soul an offering for sinā : This is the action God is taking. Heās giving Jesus up as a sacrifice to take away the consequences of our sins ā all the wrongdoings we've committed. It's like placing a burden on him so he can bear it alone. āHe shall see his seedā : This is a really significant image. āSeedā refers to the future coming of Godās kingdom and the restoration of righteousness. It means Jesus will be re-created , fully restored, and victorious over sin. It's not just about him surviving; itās about becoming whole again. āHe shall prolong his daysā : This speaks to Jesusās ultimate triumph over death. His suffering will ultimately lead to a glorious victory that extends his life beyond what was originally planned. āThe pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his handā : This is a bit more poetic. āPleasureā means happiness, delight, or enjoyment. The verse suggests that Godās satisfaction and blessing are increased because of this suffering. It's like God is rejoicing in Jesus's victory over sin. In essence, the verse paints a picture of: God intentionally subjecting Jesus to immense suffering as a way to purify him, bring about redemption, and ultimately establish his victory over evil and death. Itās a dramatic foreshadowing of his ultimate triumph. Important Note: This is a complex passage that's often interpreted in different ways. However, the core message is that Jesusās suffering was strategically designed to achieve Godās plan for salvation and restoration. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points further? Provide a more modern analogy to help understand the concept? Discuss the theological significance of this verse in more detail?