Isaiah 53:7-8 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter… I. THE NATURE OF THE SUFFERINGS. "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted." II. THE CARRIAGE OF CHRIST UNDER THEM. "He opened not His mouth," which is amplified and illustrated by two similitudes, of a lamb going, to the slaughter, and a sheep before her shearers. 1. "He opened not His mouth." This shows two things. (1) The great patience of Christ. (2) His great love to man, shown in His wonderful silence, even when He might justly have spoken in His own defence, but would not seem to interrupt the design of God. 2. The particular resemblance. (1) "He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter." It is an emblem of innocence, meekness, and patience. It may import weakness and slenderness of appearance in the world. Christ is nothing in show, though mighty in power. It noteth the meekness and sweetness of Christ, willingly yielding to be a sacrifice for us. (2) "As a sheep before her shearers is dumb." Christ did not open His mouth, unless to pray, instruct, and reprove. ( T. Manton, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. |
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