Isaiah 42 points to Israel's mission: through God's servant, the Messiah, judgment/rule would come to the Gentiles, and Israel would carry God's light to the nations.
Isaiah 42:1 says, 'Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.' Les identifies this servant as Christ and explains that 'judgment' means rule or government. He further shows from Isaiah 49:6 that God's plan included Israel being 'a light to the Gentiles' — the nation's outward mission.
Isaiah 42:1 — This verse introduces the servant with God's Spirit, who brings judgment/rule to the Gentiles — the text at the heart of the question.
Isaiah 49:6 — This verse connects the servant's role to being a light to the Gentiles, clarifying Israel's outward mission.
The key verse is Isaiah 42:1: 'Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.' Here God presents an elect servant with His Spirit, and the result of this servant's work is judgment brought to the Gentile nations. The same servant is described in Isaiah 49:6: 'And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.' The text links the servant's identity to both the restoration of Israel and the light of salvation for the Gentile world. Taken at face value, Isaiah 42:1 does not name the nation of Israel directly; it describes an individual servant. The outward-reaching mission to the Gentiles, however, is explicitly stated in Isaiah 49:6.
Les Feldick repeatedly points to Isaiah 42:1 as proof that God always had the Gentiles in view. In Clip 1 he reminds listeners that Isaiah was writing to Israel, not to Romans or Greeks, so this Old Testament promise belongs to the covenant people. In Clip 2 he says God was planning to deal with the Gentiles all the way through the Old Testament through this covenant people — they would be the ones to take salvation to the Gentiles. In Clip 3 Les explains that the 'servant' in Isaiah 42:1 is singular and refers to Christ the Messiah in His role as the One who brings rule to the Gentiles. He reinforces this identification in Clip 5 and Clip 7. In Clip 7 he clarifies that 'judgment' means 'rule, government,' not punishment. He further connects Isaiah 49:6 to show that the servant — and therefore the nation of Israel — would be 'a light to the Gentiles.' Les also places this mission within the Old Testament program: after the King returns and sets up His kingdom, Israel would then go out to the nations (Clip 0). This was not merely a Pauline concept; it was God's intention from Old Testament times.
The verse says God upholds His servant and puts His Spirit upon him, and that he will bring judgment to the Gentiles. Les Feldick teaches that this 'servant' is singular and refers to Christ, the Messiah of Israel. In Clip 3 he says, 'He, singular, shall bring forth judgment, or rule, to the Gentiles, so who we're referring to? The Christ, the Messiah.' He repeats this identification in Clip 5 and Clip 7.
Les is clear that the word 'judgment' here does not mean punishment. In Clip 7 he explains, 'the word “judgment” there doesn't mean “punishment.” It means “rule, government.” And he shall bring forth government to whom? The Gentiles.' This matches the Old Testament picture of the Messiah ruling over the nations.
Les teaches that God planned to deal with the Gentiles through this covenant people (Clip 2). Isaiah 49:6 says God would give the servant as 'a light to the Gentiles' so that salvation would reach 'the end of the earth.' In Clip 6, Les reads this as God giving 'thee, the nation of Israel, for a light to the Gentiles' — showing that Israel was the intended channel for God's salvation to the non-Jewish world.
According to Les, the Old Testament program expected Christ to return, set up His kingdom in Jerusalem, and then Israel would fulfill this worldwide role. In Clip 0 he describes how Peter and the eleven knew this program — they expected the seven years of wrath and then the King's return to set up His kingdom. Once the kingdom was set up, the King would rule and Israel would go out to the nations. Clip 4 ties the royal throne to Jesus assuming His kingdom in Jerusalem.
Old Testament Program: Kingdom First, Then Gentile Mission
Les explains that in the Old Testament program, after the King returns and sets up His kingdom, Israel was then to carry out its worldwide role; the disciples understood this and stayed in Jerusalem.
Isaiah Writes to Israel
Les reminds listeners that Isaiah is writing to Israel, not to Romans or Greeks, so the promises in Isaiah 42 belong to the covenant people.
God's Gentile Plan Through Israel
Les says God was planning all along to deal with the Gentiles through this covenant people; Israel would be the ones to take salvation to the Gentiles.
The Servant Is the Messiah; Israel Light to Gentiles
Les identifies the singular 'he' in Isaiah 42:1 as Christ the Messiah who brings judgment/rule to the Gentiles, then cites Isaiah 49:6 to show God's intent that salvation reach the end of the earth.
The King's Throne and the Kingdom
Les compares the throne of David to the throne Jesus will assume in Jerusalem, tying the coming kingdom to Israel's role and the zeal of the Lord.
Christ the Servant and Isaiah 49
Les again identifies 'He' in Isaiah 42:1 as Christ, the Messiah of Israel, and moves to Isaiah 49:6-7 to show the servant's connection to the Gentiles.
Israel as Light to the Gentiles
Les reads Isaiah 49:6 as God giving the nation of Israel as a light to the Gentiles, showing Israel was to be the channel for funneling salvation into the Gentile world.
'Judgment' Means Rule, Not Punishment
Les clarifies that 'judgment' in Isaiah 42:1 means rule/government, and that the servant brings this government to the Gentiles — an Old Testament concept showing God's heart for the nations.
Isaiah 42:1: Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
This verse is the foundational text for the question — it names the servant with God's Spirit and says he will bring judgment to the Gentiles.
Isaiah 49:6: And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
It confirms the outward mission: the servant is not only for Israel but is given as a light to the Gentiles.
Les identifies the servant as Christ, the Messiah of Israel. God says, 'I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles' (Isaiah 42:1). In Les's teaching, this servant is the One who will bring God's rule to the Gentile nations.
No. Les teaches that 'judgment' here means 'rule, government.' The servant brings forth government to the Gentiles, not punishment. This fits the Old Testament picture of the Messiah ruling from Jerusalem.
Yes, according to Les. God's plan was to deal with the Gentiles through this covenant people. Israel was to take salvation to the Gentiles, and Isaiah 49:6 says the servant would be 'a light to the Gentiles' and salvation 'unto the end of the earth.'
Watch the Teaching: Why the Apostles Stayed in Jerusalem: Israel vs. The Church