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In order to begin our study with the proper background it is important that you familiarize yourself with the following Scriptures and the meaning of the prophet Isaiah in writing them. The following are every mention of “servant” from Isaiah. 40-66. Please read and see if Isaiah is consistent throughout the book by describing the nation of Israel as the servant and not a man. This is of utmost important that we understand the context of the prophet Isaiah due to all the improper teaching we have heard during our lives that have preconditioned us to "read into the passage" meanings not ever intended by the Prophet Isaiah.
I ask that you take the time to read each of the chapters listed below in order for you to get the context. Then, and only then, can you be certain that the "servant" in question is not an individual man, but a collective of people: namely; the people of Israel which included Yeshua, but never was intended to reference him to the exclusion of the whole of the Jewish people.
Isa 41:8
8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. (KJV)
Isa 41:9
9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. (KJV)
Isa 42:1
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. (KJV)
Isa 42:19
19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD's servant? (KJV)
Isa 43:10
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. (KJV) [notice the explicit reference to the servant in both the singular and plural in the same verse]
Isa 44:1
1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: (KJV)
Isa 44:2
2 Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. (KJV)
Isa 44:21
21 Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. (KJV)
Isa 44:26
26 That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof: (KJV)
Isa 48:20
20 Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob. (KJV)
Isa 49:3
3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. (KJV)
Isa 49:5
5 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. (KJV)
Isa 49:6
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. (KJV)
Isa 50:10
10 Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God. (KJV)
Isa 52:13
13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. (KJV)
Isa 53:11
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (KJV)
By now you should be able to see for yourself that the Prophet Isaiah intended the "nation of Israel" be understood as the Servant of YHVH, and it is this who is the "Suffering Servant" of Isaiah 53.
Now we continue.