Isaiah 53:10
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
ISAIAH 53:10
Verse 10 deepens the mysterious interweaving of suffering and divine pleasure. It begins with the striking claim that it “pleased the LORD to bruise him.” This is not approval of cruelty, but a deliberate divine strategy: through the servant’s suffering, God accomplishes salvation. The phrase “when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin” identifies the servant’s death as propitiatory—bearing the penalty due to many. The promise that “he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days” signals future vitality and offspring, often understood as a metaphor for continued life (resurrection) and fruitful legacy. The final clause, “the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand,” ties the suffering to a cosmic outcome: God’s ultimate will grows through the servant’s obedience. The text situates Jesus’ crucifixion within God’s redemptive plan, moving from suffering to purpose and from veil of death to victorious future.
This verse emphasizes the intentionality of God in salvation history. The notion that divine pleasure is found in the servant’s suffering reframes adversity as the conduit of grace. The offering for sin renders propitiation, satisfying divine justice while extending mercy. The double-vision of present suffering and future reward anchors hope: even in pain, the servant participates in the outworking of God’s plan, ensuring a proliferating lineage (spiritual descendants) and a lasting impact. The passage also foregrounds the sanctity of sacrifice—discipline by God that is purposeful, not punitive in vain. For believers, this clarifies why Jesus’ death is not a tragic accident but a divinely ordained act of love.
When facing personal trials, remember that God’s work often proceeds through hardship. The cross can illuminate today’s setbacks: health struggles, job losses, or relational ruptures that feel meaningless. Trust that God’s purposes may be advancing unseen—deeper faith, greater reliance on him, and a broader impact for others who follow. If you mentor, teach, or lead, you can model a “suffering that serves others” posture: sacrifice your comfort to uplift others, knowing your endurance contributes to a larger spiritual harvest. This verse invites us to interpret pain through a redemptive lens, not as meaninglessness but as preparation for future blessing and fruitfulness.
Cross-References: Romans 8:28-30; Isaiah 53:5; Hebrews 9:14-15; 1 Peter 3:18; Psalm 69:29-31