Isaiah 53:7
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.
Isaiah 53:7
Verse 7 depicts the Servant’s submission under oppression: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth.” He is compared to a lamb led to slaughter; silent, obedient, and unresisting in the face of injustice. The image emphasizes humility and patience under suffering, not retaliating or defending himself. The Servant’s silence stands in contrast to human tendency to justify oneself; his submission fulfills God’s purposes. The broader context shows that the Servant’s nonresistance is not weakness but strength exercised for others’ sake.
This verse highlights the paradox of divine power in weakness and aligns with Jesus’ passion narrative in the New Testament. It demonstrates how oppression and suffering become a means of salvation, not merely a consequence of sin. The Servant’s silence is a deliberate choice that contributes to the redemptive plan.
In our lives, there will be times to endure injustice with grace rather than respond with anger or retaliation. Practically, pursue forgiveness, avoid escalation, and seek to respond with love and integrity. In conflict, follow the Servant’s model of measured, patient responses, trusting God to defend and vindicate in due time.
Cross-References: Matthew 27:12–14; 1 Peter 2:23; Romans 12:17–21.