Isaiah 49:1-26
Q.1. How had Israel, as the Lord’s servant, failed? Which greater Servant of the Lord would God raise up? What clue was given as to His identity? How far would His salvation extend? – (Isa.49:1-7)
God reminded the nation of Israel that He had formed her from her mother’s womb and had called her to be His servant, to show forth His glory (Isa.49:1 & 3). However, Israel had failed to live up to the calling placed upon her. To understand this prophecy, we must recognise that like many Messianic prophecies, it was speaking about a future fulfilment. That is why it is understood as one of the Servant passages relating to Jesus Christ (see also Isa.42:1-9; 49:1-7; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12). In this case the passage is referring to the coming Saviour of the world – Listen to Me, O islands, and pay attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called Me from the womb; From the body of My mother He named Me (Isa.49:1). The coming of this Servant will impact all nations – even peoples from afar. He will be not immediately be recognised but will be kept by God to be His servant in “Whom I will show My glory” (Isa.49:2-3). He will fulfill a dual role – 5 And now says the Lord, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him (For I am honoured in the sight of the Lord, And My God is My strength), 6 He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel (Isa.49:5-6). Christ will restore the nation of Israel. He will also do much more – 6 I will also make You a light of the nations, so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” 7 Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and its Holy One, to the despised One, to the One abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers, “Kings will see and arise. Princes will also bow down, because of the Lord who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel who has chosen You.” (Isa.49:6-7). Isaiah gave the broad scope of Christ’s salvation to all people, and he identified this as coming through His rejection on the cross – the despised One, to the One abhorred by the nation (Isa.49:7).
Q.2. What is God’s future plan for Israel? What unique way will God deal with His people? Did Israel expect God to save them? Why can He not forget them? – (Isa.49:8-16 c.f. Zech.12:10; Rev.1:7)
Isaiah foresaw a future time of joy and blessing for Israel, as their Messiah keeps the Covenant – Thus says the Lord, “In a favourable time I have answered You, and in a day of salvation I have helped You; And I will keep You and give You for a covenant of the people, to restore the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages (Isa.49:8). How was such a thing possible since they would be scattered among the nations? (Ezk.12:15-16; 20:21-23 c.f. Dt.4:25-31). God would open up a way for His people to return to the land – Behold, these will come from afar; And lo, these will come from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Sinim (Isa.49:12). Israel’s fortunes will be reversed, and this will be a cause of much joy – Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth! Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion on His afflicted (Isa.49:13). Because of the terrible devastation that the nation would experience, Israel felt forsaken and doubted that God still cared (Isa.49:14). God revealed the reason why it is impossible for Him to abandon Israel, when He asked – 15 Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. 16 Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me (Isa.49:15-16 c.f. Jn.20:20, 24-29). We cannot erase the efficacy of the Blood of the Covenant, either for Israel, or for the New Testament saints of God (Heb.9:12-14). God will achieve His over-arching purpose.
Q.3. How much will Israel be blessed? When would this prophecy be fulfilled? How prominent would the people become? What did this reveal about the Covenant faithfulness of God? – (Isa.49:17-26)
Israel had previously been left devastated and was consigned to wander in the wilderness (c.f. Isa.49:17, 19 & 21). However, a time was coming when – The children of whom you were bereaved will yet say in your ears, `The place is too cramped for me; Make room for me that I may live here.’ (Isa.49:20). The attitude of the nations will change toward Israel – 22 Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations and set up My standard to the peoples; And they will bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders. 23 “Kings will be your guardians, and their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth and lick the dust of your feet; And you will know that I am the Lord (Isa.49:22-23). He promised – those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame … For I will contend with the one who contends with you, and I will save your sons (Isa.49:23 & 25). Many claim that God has rejected Israel because she broke the Covenant. However, God will keep His Covenant – … And all flesh will know that I, the Lord, am your Saviour and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob (Isa.49:26 c.f. Isa.49:8 c.f. Rom.11:26-27).