Dr. Couch, there are some who make a connection between Isaiah 50:4-10 and Romans 8:1, 32-33. What is that connection?
The Isaiah verses are clearly prophetic of the Lord Jesus Christ just as
Isaiah 52:13-53:12. It seems as if the apostle Paul is drawing from the
Isaiah 50 verses to show how those who are connected with the suffering
Christ, are vindicated. Christ was “not disobedient, nor did He turn
back” from death (50:5). He took the beatings on His back and His beard
was pulled out (v. 6). God who would vindicate Him was near Him (v. 8),
He would help His Son, and no one could condemn Him (vv. 8b-9).
Now, those who are “in Christ Jesus” are no longer condemned (Rom.
8:1). And since the Son was not spared from death (v. 32), no one can
“bring a charge against God’s elect. God is the one who justifies” (v.
33).
On Isaiah 50:9, Unger writes in his commentary:
portion of all who accuse and condemn Him. … Paul reflects on this passage
(Rom. 8:34) and applies it to the believer, because he is united to Christ by the
baptism of the Spirit at conversion (6:3-4; 1 Cor. 12:13), hence is “in Christ,” and
so has the righteousness of God in Christ imputed to him. (p. 1284)
I highly recommend to those who do not have Merrill F. Unger’s Old
Testament Commentary to get a copy. It gives the most messianic of
treatments to the older Testament that I know of. I had the commentary
restored and reprinted by AMG Publications.
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
