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I. THE INTRODUCTION OF CHRISTIANITY INTO THE WORLD, BY THE MYSTERIOUS SUFFERINGS OF ITS DIVINE FOUNDER. "Behold, My Servant!" The "astonishment of many" evidently refers to the inconsistency apparent between the high pretensions and the depressed condition of this Servant of God. In truth, the plan of Christianity, with its introduction into the world, is far above the calculations of human sagacity.

II. THE DECLARATION OF THE PROPHET WITH REGARD TO THE UNIVERSAL DIFFUSION OF THE RELIGION OF CHRIST ON THE EARTH. "My Servant shall deal prudently. He shall be exalted, and extolled, and be very high."

1. The expression, "He shall deal prudently," is, in the margin, translated, "He shall prosper;" and thus the whole clause is declarative of the same truth — the triumph and success of the Son of God. If many were astonished at His humiliation, a far greater number shall be astonished at His exaltation.

2. This grand and glorious achievement He effected by means that came not within the range of mortal discernment. It was by death that He conquered death. It was by a perfect obedience in action and in suffering, that He became the second Adam — the spiritual Head of a new and happier race. He planted His religion in the earth, opposed by hostile scorn and relentless malice and despotic power. The cause of Christ achieved its victories by its own inherent power. Its adherents were, indeed, strong; but it was in faith, and purity, and charity. Thus the Servant of God prospered, and was extolled, and became very high.

3. But His reign on the earth is yet very limited, and His conquests incomplete.

III. WHAT WE MAY GATHER FROM THIS PROPHETIC ACCOUNT RESPECTING THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE KINGDOM OF THE MESSIAH SHALL THUS BE FULLY AND FINALLY ESTABLISHED. "As many were astonied at Thee: so shall He sprinkle many nations; the kings," etc. We are led to infer —

1. That there shall be a wide dispersion of Divine knowledge over heathen and Mohammedan nations; for men cannot see or consider that which is not first presented to their notice.

2. The nations shall fix their anxious attention on the truths declared to them.

3. Impressed with holy awe, they shall assume the attitude of abasement and submission. I apprehend that the expression, the "kings shall shut their mouths at Him," implies the submission of whole nations, here represented by kings; for, as the reception of Christianity on the part of the rulers of a country requires the overthrow of every system of religious polity previously established, such a reception publicly made, implies, more or less, the submission of the mass of the people.

4. He shall forgive their iniquities and sanctify their hearts. "He shall sprinkle many nations;" that is, in allusion to the aspersions under the law, by which the people were sanctified, the Son of God shall apply to the souls of regenerated multitudes the blood of His great atonement, and the sacred influences of His Holy Spirit. Then, "a nation shall be born in a day."

(G. T. Noel, M. A.)

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KJV: Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

WEB: Behold, my servant shall deal wisely, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.