Behold My Servant, Sermons on Isaiah 52:13-53:12, by John Calvin, translated from French by Robert White, published by the Banner of Truth Trust, hardback, 135 pages, £15.00, obtainable from the F P Bookroom.
Those who seek to have an interest in redeeming grace have a special place in their hearts for the portions of Scripture that set forth the Divine Redeemer’s Person and work. Chief among these portions are the last few verses in Isaiah 52 and the whole of Isaiah 53. We are therefore thankful to see the Banner
of Truth publishing a new translation – by Robert White, a retired senior lecturer in French studies – of seven sermons on this portion of Scripture by that eminent servant of Christ, John Calvin. Commencing with “A Servant of the Lord” (Is 52:13-53:1), continuing with five more sermons from chapter 53 before concluding with “Our Advocate and Intercessor” (Is 53:12), these sermons seek to expound the whole of these scriptures. They include Calvin’s extempore prayer at the end of each sermon and the prayer for illumination and the intercessory prayer which he used in his weekday services. Those who treasure Calvin’s life and ministry, will value these sermons, coming as they do from one known and valued as a great defender of the faith, an excellent expositor of Scripture and a compassionate encourager of God’s people.
We find, in these sermons, truths stated which are manifestly scriptural and are often associated with Calvin’s great desire to defend the faith. Thus, in terms of our sinful nature, Calvin tells us: “We are wholly defiled – spiritual lepers, made rotten by our iniquities” (p 45). With regard to regeneration, Calvin notes, “Understanding, however, is not given to everyone: hence what is said here must be confined to God’s elect, to those who are renewed by the Holy Spirit” (p 12). With respect to atonement, Calvin maintains that we cannot give an account to God that would merit His acceptance but rather should say, “We cannot atone by ourselves. We must acknowledge that Jesus Christ alone is sufficient to make satisfaction” (p 99). As a faithful Reformer, Calvin insists that Roman Catholic practices such as sung masses, mumbled prayers and reliance upon the Virgin Mary or any of the saints as mediators is worse than useless (pp 65, 120). It is also affecting to see Calvin as a winsome gospel preacher, exhorting us to come to Jesus Christ. Calvin states, “God, then, gently invites us to come, and Jesus Christ sets before us the fruit of His death and passion” (p 53).
As these sermons expound the last few verses of Isaiah 52 and the whole of Isaiah 53, they have the added advantage of being an exposition of Scripture which is distinctively Christ-centred. Thus, as to the deity and incarnation of the eternal Son of God, Calvin states, “Although He is everlasting God, our Lord Jesus Christ chose a lowlier rank, for He was clothed with our flesh and became one like us”. And, “Although there was no change in respect of His divine nature, He had to humble Himself, since we regard Him as Mediator between God and ourselves” (p 3).
In terms of the Saviour’s inward beauty, Calvin notes, “Psalm 45 indeed declares that He will be fairest in beauty, above all humankind” (Ps 45:2). And, “Accordingly, our Lord Jesus Christ surpassed all men in beauty, for God gave Him unmistakable signs showing that He was the true and living
image of God His Father” (p 30). Such perfection of beauty in Christ indicated that He was the only One truly qualified to suffer for the sins of His people. So, Calvin states, God “loved Him, yet He was willing to afflict Him for our transgressions”. And, “Our Lord was therefore burdened with all our offences and iniquities – not that He Himself was guilty, but God chose to impute everything to Him, to hold Him accountable and to require Him to pay the price” (p 39). These sufferings not only were borne by Christ in His body but He poured out His soul in death (p 110). His work of atonement completed, Christ has been raised from the dead and is “exalted to a position of power and dominion” (p 82).
We may also briefly note Calvin’s expertise as an encourager of God’s people. Sermon 2 on Christ as “A Rock of Offence” is an excellent exhortation which encourages God’s people to “persevere” the more we see the world rejecting Christ (pp 34-5). In Sermon 6, “The Travail Of His Soul”, Calvin exhorts those, feeling what it is to be burdened, to “come to Jesus Christ and find relief” (p 104). In Sermon 7, “Our Advocate and Intercessor”, Calvin implores those who feel oppressed to consider Christ’s intercessory service. He states, “While we have many enemies, we should not dread them, for to whom must we account for our lives? Who is our judge? It is Jesus Christ, and He is our Advocate who intercedes for us, and who is there to make peace between God and us. He is the one who will help us find grace” (p 119).
There are one or two areas where any subsequent reprint could be improved. While Dr White seems eminently qualified for translation work, we would refrain from using “you” instead of “thou” or “thee”, when referring to the Most High. We also, in such places as the last paragraph of page 120, would have preferred a more sober use of words in translating Calvin. Again, we would have been more comfortable if a suitably qualified minister had been approached to provide the theological aspects of the preface and footnotes. We also note that while the portion of Scripture being expounded is taken from Calvin’s own translation, Isaiah 42:1 and 49:6 at the beginning of this volume, appear to be from the ESV rather than the AV. Finally, we noted one spelling mistake: on the sixteenth line of page 115, “hold” should be “how”.
All in all, this is an eminently scriptural exposition of this portion of Isaiah which exalts the Person and work of Christ. Here we see Calvin excel as a defender of the faith, an expositor of scripture and an encourager of the Lord’s people. May the Lord’s people read it, profit from it and find their rest and satisfaction in a greater way in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
(Rev) A McSeveney