Categorized as a “servant song,” this passage introduces us to a servant who has been faithful to God to an impressive degree. Despite having been reviled by his peers for such devotion, the servant stays true. Just as God will remain committed to us, so the servant remains committed to God. He listens, hears, and responds. He warns the people of the consequences of defying God and instructs them to change their ways, the ways of the world. He encourages them with hope. There are blessings here for you if you choose to follow God instead of humanity.

Because the servant has experienced “insult and spitting” and other indignities firsthand, he will be well-situated to “sustain the weary with a word.” He has been there. I suspect he is able to listen to others tell their hard stories. I believe such holy listening is one of the purest ministries we can offer our fellow pilgrims. Surely we can all recount times in which being listened to by a spiritual companion made a difference for us. Or maybe you’ve been that sacred container for someone else.

I think this servant might be my new hero. He does as God instructs, doesn’t wimp out when he is abused, and respects the power of language—my kind of guy.

When considering this passage, I’m drawn to revisit Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Knowing when to speak—and what to say—and when to listen is an art we all can learn. God shows this servant how it’s done, and God can show us too.