The circumstances did not mean that Israel was beyond salvation. However, she also needed to realise why she was in such a situation. Under Jewish Law if a man divorced his wife he had to give her a certificate of divorce. The analogy of being sold as a slave is also used. These two analogies illustrate that Israel had been rejected by God, and had come under ownership of another. This is what sin does. Sin alienates us from God. It brings us under judgement. In the garden of Eden God actively rejected Adam and Eve. If we are to appreciate God's salvation we need to appreciate sin, and God's judgement upon sin. Paul talks us about us being objects of wrath, of being at enmity with God. Israel was in trouble purely because of her sin. If she had trusted God, if she had called upon Him and listened to Him she would not be in her present plight. This is true of the whole human race. We suffer because we have rejected God's ways.
Then in verse 4 we get a sudden change of tone. Now we learn of the servant's obedience. He has an instructed tongue that sustains the weary. The servant has not been rebellious. Then there are obvious allusions to the events of the cross, for Jesus was beaten and did not resist. He experienced mockery and spitting.
Jesus set His face like flint to go all the way to the cross. He did this because He knew His Father, He knew His Father would vindicate Him, which He did by raising Jesus from the dead.
Jesus endured all things because He trusted in His Father.
We have a choice, and it is a call made to those living in darkness. Trust in the Lord. But those who trust in their own wisdom will lie down in torment. Trusting the Lord is the only way.
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