Isa 49:1 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 49:1-7: 49:1–55:13 God intended to rescue the Israelites from exile. However, the question remained: How could sinful Israel again become the servant of the Holy One? God would make a way for Israel’s sin to be atoned for and their fellowship with him to be restored. That way would be the promised servant, who would come for Israel and for all peoples. This servant was introduced in 42:1-9 , but in this passage he becomes the central focus. Summary for Isa 49:1-13: 49:1-13 This has traditionally been regarded as the second of four suffering servant songs (see study note on 42:1-4). The suffering role of the promised servant becomes increasingly clear (see also 50:4-9 ; 52:13–53:12 ). 49:1 distant lands: The servant’s ministry would extend beyond Israel (see 42:4 , 10 , 12 ; 51:5 ; 60:9 ; 66:19 ). • called me before my birth ... from within the womb ... by name: The promised servant’s prophetic call was similar to the call of Jeremiah (see Jer 1:5 ; see also Gal 1:15 ). It was not a general call but a very specific, personal one (see also Isa 43:1 ; 45:3-4 ).

a49:1–55:13►

b42:1-9►

c49:1-13►

d50:4-9►

e52:13–53:12►

f49:1►

g42:4►

h10►

i12►

j51:5►

k60:9►

l66:19►

mJer 1:5►

nGal 1:15►

oIsa 43:1►

p45:3-4►

‏ Isaiah 49:1

Summary for Isa 49:1-7: 49:1–55:13 ^a God intended to rescue the Israelites from exile. However, the question remained: How could sinful Israel again become the servant of the Holy One? God would make a way for Israel’s sin to be atoned for and their fellowship with him to be restored. That way would be the promised servant, who would come for Israel and for all peoples. This servant was introduced in 42:1-9 ^b, but in this passage he becomes the central focus.
Summary for Isa 49:1-13: 49:1-13 ^c This has traditionally been regarded as the second of four suffering servant songs (see study note on 42:1-4). The suffering role of the promised servant becomes increasingly clear (see also 50:4-9 ^d; 52:13–53:12 ^e). 49:1 ^f distant lands: The servant’s ministry would extend beyond Israel (see 42:4 ^g, 10 ^h, 12 ⁱ; 51:5 ^j; 60:9 ^k; 66:19 ^l).

• called me before my birth ... from within the womb ... by name: The promised servant’s prophetic call was similar to the call of Jeremiah (see Jer 1:5 ^m; see also Gal 1:15 ⁿ). It was not a general call but a very specific, personal one (see also Isa 43:1 ^o; 45:3-4 ^p).