Isaiah 49
Encouragement to the Gentiles.This section marks a shift in the message of Isaiah. Now, the prophet calls not just Israel, but the Gentiles—the nations far away—to listen. God’s promise of salvation is not only for the Jews, but also for people all over the world. The coming Redeemer, the Messiah, is introduced as God’s chosen servant who will bring light and hope to everyone, even those who feel distant from God.v. 1: The prophet summons the “isles” and distant peoples to pay attention. Listen to me, O islands, and listen, you peoples from afar . This means the message is for Gentiles—people far from Israel. God called and chose the Messiah from the very beginning. Even before he was born, God had a purpose for him. This is like what was said about Jesus in Matthew 1:21 a and about Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:5 b. v. 2: God gave the Messiah powerful words—he made my mouth like a sharp sword. God also protected and prepared him, hiding him like a polished arrow until the right time . The Messiah’s words would be strong and effective, able to touch hearts and change lives (Hebrews 4:12 c). v. 3: God calls him his servant and says, You are my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified . Here, “Israel” means the Messiah, who represents God’s people and brings honor to God. In Jesus, God is truly glorified (John 12:27,28 d). v. 4: The servant admits he sometimes feels discouraged. I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing . This reflects how Jesus was rejected by many of his own people. But he trusts God to see his work and reward him, saying, my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. v. 5: God reassures his servant that he has been chosen for this purpose since before his birth. The Lord formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him . Even if Israel is not gathered, the servant will still be honored in God’s eyes, and God will be his strength. Jesus was honored even when many did not believe in him (Luke 22:43 e). v. 6: God tells the Messiah that his mission is even bigger than just saving Israel. It is too small a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob... I will also give you as a light to the Gentiles, that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth . This means Jesus would bring God’s light and salvation to people everywhere, not just the Jews (Luke 2:32; Acts 13:47 f). In this way, the Messiah’s mission is greater and more glorious than anyone expected. Encouragement to the Gentiles.This section describes both the suffering and the honor of the Messiah. Although he would be rejected and despised by people, God promises to lift him up and give him great authority. The Messiah will not only save Israel, but also bring blessing and hope to people from every nation. God’s faithfulness guarantees these promises, and all who believe in the Messiah will share in his blessings.v. 7: The Lord, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, speaks to his chosen servant. The Messiah, Jesus, would be deeply humbled. He would be despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3 g), hated by the nation, and treated like a servant by rulers (John 19:10 h). But God promises to exalt him. In time, kings and princes would respect and honor him, showing that God is faithful and that the Messiah is truly chosen. v. 8: God promises to support and help the Messiah. In an acceptable time have I heard you, and in a day of salvation have I helped you . God always heard Jesus’ prayers (Hebrews 5:7; John 11:42 i). Because of this, the time of the gospel is called the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2 j), when God welcomes everyone who trusts in him. v. 9: The Messiah is given as a covenant for the people. He will restore what was broken, and bring freedom to those in bondage. I will give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to cause them to inherit the desolate heritages; saying to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves . Jesus brings forgiveness and freedom from sin and guilt. He also brings those in darkness into the light. v. 10: God promises to provide for his people. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them . God will take care of his people, just like a shepherd cares for his sheep (Psalm 34:10; Song of Solomon 1:7 k). He will lead them to springs of water and protect them from harm. v. 11: God promises to make a way for his people. I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted . Even mountains will not stop God from bringing his people home. God will remove every obstacle and make the path easy for those who trust him (Isaiah 35:8 l). v. 12: God will gather his people from every part of the world. Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim . People from all nations will come to the Messiah. This is a promise of the worldwide church, when people from every place will believe in Jesus (Matthew 8:11 m). Encouragement to Zion.This section shows that God’s deliverance of his people from captivity, and the greater salvation through Christ, are reasons for great joy. These acts prove God’s deep love and care for his people, even when they feel forgotten or alone. The whole creation is called to celebrate God’s mercy and faithfulness to Zion.v. 13: All creation is invited to rejoice. Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord has comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted . The return from captivity and the coming salvation through Christ are such great blessings that even the heavens and earth should celebrate (Psalm 96:11; Romans 8:19, 21 n). v. 14: Yet, Zion sometimes feels abandoned. Zion said, The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me . In times of trouble, God’s people may feel alone or think God has forgotten them. But these doubts are not true, even if the situation seems hopeless (Ezekiel 8:12; Psalm 10:11 o). v. 15: God answers with a promise of his unfailing love. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget you . Even the strongest human love can fail, but God’s love for his people is greater and will never fail (Lamentations 4:10; Deuteronomy 28:57 p). v. 16: God assures Zion of his constant care. Behold, I have engraved you upon the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me . God always remembers his people and their needs. Their safety and future are always on his mind (Song of Solomon 8:6; Deuteronomy 6:8 q). v. 17: God promises restoration. Your children shall make haste; your destroyers and those who made you waste shall go forth from you . Friends and children will return quickly to help rebuild, while enemies and those who harmed Zion will leave. God will turn sorrow into joy and restore his people. Encouragement to Zion.In this section, God promises that his people will grow and be blessed again. These promises were partly fulfilled when the Jews returned from exile, but they are even more fully realized in the growth of the Christian church. The message is one of hope: God’s people will never stay small or forgotten, but will be renewed and filled with new life, often in surprising ways.v. 18: Zion is told to look around and see her children returning from every direction. Lift up your eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to you . God promises that many will join the church, making it strong and beautiful, like a bride putting on her jewelry (Hebrews 12:22,23; John 4:35 r). v. 19: The land that was empty and ruined will become full of people again. Your waste and desolate places... shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants . There will be so many new people that there is not enough room. God will drive away the enemies, and only his people will remain (Malachi 3:10 s). v. 20: The children born after Zion’s troubles will say, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell . The church will grow so much that there will not seem to be enough space for everyone, just as happened in ancient Israel (2 Kings 6:1; Luke 14:21,22 t). v. 21: Zion will be amazed at this growth and ask, Who has begotten me these? These children appear suddenly, even though Zion had been left alone and in sorrow. God can restore his people and make them flourish, even after great loss (Isaiah 66:8; Galatians 4:27 u). v. 22: God says he will invite the Gentiles by raising up a standard for them. They shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders . People from all nations will help build up God’s people and will care for new believers with gentleness and love (Hosea 2:23; Isaiah 60:4 v). v. 23: Even kings and queens will help and honor God’s people. Kings shall be your nursing fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers . Some rulers will protect and support the church, while others will have to bow before it. This shows that God is truly the Lord, and those who trust in him will not be disappointed (Psalm 72:11; Revelation 3:9 w). Encouragement to Zion.This section addresses doubts about whether God can really rescue his people from strong enemies. Some might think Israel’s freedom from Babylon is impossible because their captors are powerful and Israel deserved their punishment. But God promises that nothing is too hard for him. He will show his power by saving his people and judging those who oppress them, so that everyone will know he is the true Savior.v. 24: There is an objection: Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? . People doubt that those held by mighty captors—like the Babylonians—can be set free, especially since Israel was justly punished for their sins. Some think it is impossible for God to rescue them, while others are amazed that he would even try. v. 25: God answers with a promise: Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered . No matter how strong the enemy is, God will save his people. He will fight against those who fight against Israel and defend their cause. In the end, God will save his children, even by turning the tables on their oppressors (Revelation 13:10 x). v. 26: God says he will judge Israel’s enemies harshly. I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood (Isaiah 49:26 y). The Babylonians will fight among themselves and destroy each other. God’s justice means those who were cruel will face cruelty themselves. This also points to the fate of the enemies of God’s people in every age.The result will be clear to everyone: All flesh shall know that I the Lord am your Saviour and your Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob (Isaiah 49:26 z). God wants the whole world to see that he is powerful to save, and that his people are never truly abandoned. His deliverance brings glory to his name and hope to his people.
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