The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleshipThis phrase highlights the divine origin of the speaker's wisdom and ability to teach. In the context of Isaiah, this is often seen as a reference to the Servant of the Lord, a figure who embodies obedience and wisdom. The "tongue of discipleship" suggests a learned and trained ability to communicate God's truth effectively. This can be connected to Jesus Christ, who is often seen as the ultimate fulfillment of the Servant prophecies in Isaiah. In the New Testament, Jesus is frequently depicted as a teacher with unparalleled authority and wisdom (
Matthew 7:28-29).
to sustain the weary with a word
The purpose of the Servant's teaching is to provide comfort and encouragement to those who are weary. This reflects the compassionate nature of God, who cares for the downtrodden and oppressed. In the historical context, the Israelites were often in need of such encouragement, especially during times of exile and hardship. This phrase can also be linked to Jesus' ministry, where He offers rest to the weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28-30).
He awakens Me morning by morning
This indicates a continual and daily renewal of the Servant's mission and purpose. The phrase suggests a disciplined and consistent relationship with God, where the Servant receives guidance and strength each day. This can be seen as a model for believers, emphasizing the importance of daily devotion and reliance on God. In the Gospels, Jesus is shown to have a regular practice of prayer and communion with the Father, often rising early to pray (Mark 1:35).
He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple
The emphasis here is on the Servant's receptiveness and obedience to God's instruction. Listening "as a disciple" implies a posture of humility and readiness to learn. This is crucial for understanding the role of the Servant, who is both a teacher and a learner. In the broader biblical narrative, this reflects the ideal relationship between God and His people, where they are attentive and responsive to His voice. Jesus exemplifies this perfect obedience and attentiveness to the Father's will, as seen in His statements about doing only what He sees the Father doing (John 5:19).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The Lord GOD (Yahweh)The sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, who empowers and instructs His servant.
2.
The ServantOften interpreted as the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who embodies the perfect disciple and teacher.
3.
The WearyThose who are burdened, tired, or in need of encouragement and strength.
4.
DiscipleshipThe process of learning and following the teachings of a master, in this context, the teachings of God.
5.
Morning by MorningA phrase indicating regular, daily communication and renewal with God.
Teaching Points
The Power of the WordGod equips His servants with words that can uplift and sustain those who are weary. As followers of Christ, we are called to speak life-giving words to others.
Daily RenewalJust as the servant is awakened morning by morning, believers should seek daily renewal and instruction from God through prayer and scripture.
Listening as a DiscipleTrue discipleship involves listening attentively to God's voice. We should cultivate a heart that is open and responsive to His guidance.
Empathy and EncouragementUnderstanding the needs of the weary requires empathy. We should strive to be sensitive to the struggles of others and offer encouragement.
Christ as Our ExampleJesus, the ultimate servant, models perfect discipleship. We should follow His example in obedience, humility, and service.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Isaiah 50:4?
2.How can we develop a "tongue of the learned" in our daily lives?
3.What does it mean to "sustain the weary with a word"?
4.How does Isaiah 50:4 connect with Jesus' teachings in the Gospels?
5.In what ways can we listen "like one being instructed" each morning?
6.How can we apply Isaiah 50:4 to encourage others in their faith journey?
7.What does Isaiah 50:4 reveal about the role of a prophet?
8.How does Isaiah 50:4 emphasize the importance of listening to God?
9.In what ways does Isaiah 50:4 highlight the power of spoken words?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 50?
11.What is the meaning of "Tongue of the Learned"?
12.What is the meaning of 'Tongue of the Learned'?
13.What impact does a well-timed word have?
14.What impact does a well-timed word have?What Does Isaiah 50:4 Mean
The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleshipIsaiah points first to the divine source of the Servant’s message. The phrase underscores that the Servant (ultimately fulfilled in Christ) speaks only what the Father entrusts to Him (John 12:49-50).
• God equips, not merely inspires. Much like Jeremiah’s call—“Behold, I have put My words in your mouth” (Jeremiah 1:9)—the Servant’s authority is granted, not self-generated.
• This gifting sets the Servant apart from ordinary teachers (Matthew 7:28-29) and validates every word He utters (John 7:16).
to sustain the weary with a wordThe purpose of the God-given tongue is pastoral, not merely doctrinal. The Servant meets real human need:
• He offers rest to the burdened (Matthew 11:28-30) and comfort to the bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3).
• His words revive discouraged souls (Psalm 23:3) and bring hope to those “fainting from many offenses” (Psalm 38:4).
• This sustaining ministry continues through Scripture today, ensuring that no believer’s struggle is beyond the reach of His voice (Romans 15:4).
He awakens Me morning by morningThe Servant’s communion with the Father is daily, intentional, and uninterrupted.
• Jesus modeled this rhythm, rising “very early while it was still dark” to pray (Mark 1:35).
• Regular fellowship fuels effective ministry; manna had to be gathered each dawn (Exodus 16:21), and fresh dependence is still required for spiritual nourishment (Lamentations 3:22-23).
• The image suggests eagerness—God awakens Him, but He responds willingly, embodyingPsalm 5:3: “In the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly.”
He awakens My ear to listen as a discipleSpeaking for God flows from listening to God. The Servant submits His ear before engaging His tongue.
• This mirrors the posture urged inProverbs 8:34—“Blessed is the man who listens to Me, watching daily at My doors.”
• Obedient listening ensures perfect alignment with the Father’s will (John 5:30).
• Believers share this pattern: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19), because faithful discipleship begins with receptive hearts (Luke 10:39).
summaryIsaiah 50:4 reveals a Servant perfectly equipped, deeply compassionate, constantly communing, and wholly obedient. God gives Him words; He uses them to lift the weary. God wakes Him daily; He listens before He speaks. In Christ, this prophecy finds its fullest expression, offering both the model and the means for every disciple to speak life-giving truth drawn from daily, humble communion with the Lord.
(4)
The Lord God . . .--A new section begins in the form of an abruptly introduced soliloquy. As in
Isaiah 49:4, the speaker is the Servant of Jehovah, not Isaiah, though we may legitimately trace in what follows some echoes of the prophet's own experience. The union of the two names Adonai Jahveh (or Jehovah) indicates, as elsewhere, a special solemnity.
The tongue of the learned.--Better,of a disciple,or, well-trained scholar.
That I should know how to speak.--Better,that I should know how to sustain(or,refresh) the weary with a word.
He wakeneth.--The daily teaching of the morning communion with God is contrasted by implication with the dreams and night visions of a less perfect inspiration. An illustration, perhaps a conscious fulfilment, may be found inMark 1:35;Luke 4:42.
To hear as the learned.--Readdisciples,as before. The true Servant is also as a scholar, studious of the Master's will, as are other scholars.
Verses 4-9. - A SOLILOQUY OF THE SERVANT OF JEHOVAH. The separateness of this passage has been maintained in the opening paragraph. That it is not of himself that the prophet here speaks, appears
(1) from the self-assertion (vers, 4, 5, 9);
(2) from the depth of humiliation declared in ver. 6, which is beyond anything recorded of Isaiah. But if he does not speak of himself, he can scarcely speak of any other besides "the Servant," of whom he has already said much (Isaiah 42:1-8;Isaiah 49:1-12), and of whom he has still much more to say (Isaiah 52:13-15;Isaiah 53:1-12).Verse 4. -The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned; literally,the tongue of disciples;i.e. a trained tongue, a well-taught tongue. Christ "did nothing of himself; as the Father hadtaught him," so he spoke (John 8:28).That I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary; rather,that I shall know how to sustain by a word him that is weary. Compare, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).He wakeneth morning by morning... mine ear. God held immediate and constant communication with the "Servant" - not enlightening him occasionally, as he did the prophets, by dreams and visions, but continually whispering in his ear. At no time did the Father "leave him alone" (John 8:29) or cease to speak to him. "Morning by morning" is not to be narrowed to the bare literal meaning, but to be taken in the sense of "un-interruptedly."Tohear as the learned; rather,to hear as disciples hear;i.e. attentively, submissively, gladly.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The Lordאֲדֹנָ֣י(’ă·ḏō·nāy)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136:The LordGODיְהֹוִ֗ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069:YHWHhas given Meנָ֤תַן(nā·ṯan)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setthe tongueלְשׁ֣וֹן(lə·šō·wn)Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 3956:The tongueof discipleship,לִמּוּדִ֔ים(lim·mū·ḏîm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 3928:Instructedto sustainלָע֥וּת(lā·‘ūṯ)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5790:To hasten, succorthe wearyיָעֵ֖ף(yā·‘êp̄)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3287:Fatigued, exhaustedwith a word.דָּבָ֑ר(dā·ḇār)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causeHe awakens Meיָעִ֣יר ׀(yā·‘îr)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5782:To rouse oneself, awakemorningבַּבֹּ֣קֶר(bab·bō·qer)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242:Dawn, morningby morning;בַּבֹּ֗קֶר(bab·bō·qer)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242:Dawn, morningHe awakensיָעִ֥יר(yā·‘îr)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5782:To rouse oneself, awakeMy earאֹ֔זֶן(’ō·zen)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 241:Broadness, the earto listenלִשְׁמֹ֖עַ(liš·mō·a‘)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligentlyas a disciple.כַּלִּמּוּדִֽים׃(kal·lim·mū·ḏîm)Preposition-k, Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 3928:Instructed
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OT Prophets: Isaiah 50:4 The Lord Yahweh has given me (Isa Isi Is) 
