Who Hath Believed?

Isaiah 53:1, “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?”
Seven hundred years before Christ, Isaiah proclaimed perhaps the clearest gospel message in the Old Testament. But the whole book, from beginning to end, is about Jesus. Our Lord himself said in John 5:39, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." And then, on the road to Emmaus, as the resurrected Jesus opened up the Word of God to the disciples, Luke 24:27 tells us, "beginning at Moses and all the prophets, [Jesus] expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." So when Isaiah said, "Who hat believed OUR report" he is one of many Old Testament witnesses, who at various times and in different ways, conveyed the message of the saving grace of God, the promised Saviour, and God’s plan of redemption. The report began in the Garden of Eden, and continued with Noah, and to Abraham and his descendants. The report was declared by Moses and in types and shadows, pictures and ceremonies. With poetry, pictures, and prophesies God gave us more of this blessed report. By types and teachings, we learn more of the coming Messiah who would save his people. Down the centuries and by many different men, the report was preached and remained consistent because it came from God.

So, what's the answer to this first question? Who did believe the report? Much like today, relatively few people. Prophets pleaded and preachers proclaimed and yet the people did not hear the word of the Lord. The scene is repeated through the ages and sadly even today. The good report is made known yet who will believe? The question is amazing. People don't believe the report? The good news that God forgives sinners, not based on works but by grace, through faith in the death of God's Son who came and paid the debt of sin and pardoned us with his blood. This report is about the Christ. The arm of the Lord, a phrase in the Bible describing God's power and particularly, in the person of Christ (Isaiah 40:10). The strong arm of the Jehovah, Jesus Christ, is mighty to save and the report, though not universally received, is believed by those to whom God has revealed it. The answer to the first question about few believing the report, is explained in the answer to the second question, Christ must be revealed. The God of all grace, according to his mercy, provided full and free salvation to all who come and believe. But even the good news itself was not sufficient to save because man is both unwilling and unable to come to Christ to be saved. The Lord, in mercy and grace, and in great power, reveals himself and draws sinners unto himself and gives them life and faith. “Is the LORD'S hand waxed short?” No, He is mighty to save.