As we approach the story of our Lord’s suffering during what we call this Holy Week, and especially as we draw near to the remembrance of his crucifixion on Friday, we search the scriptures for clues to the interpretation of his passion — for guides to understand the deepest meaning of all that Jesus goes through. And surely, few passages in the Old Testament help us more to understand than do the four Servant Songs that are found in what we call the Second Isaiah book.

Most scholars now agree that Isaiah is to be divided into three distinct books, all of which share common motifs and theology, but which were assembled in three different periods in Israel’s life: Isaiah chapters 1-39 from about 740 B.C.; Isaiah 40-55 from 550-538 B.C. and addressed to Israel exiled in Babylonia; and Isaia…