1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
2 And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
3 And said unto me, Thou [art] my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: [yet] surely my judgment [is] with the LORD, and my work with my God.
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.
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.
7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, [and] his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, [and] the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
8 Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that [are] in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures [shall be] in all high places.
10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
11 And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
12 Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
14 But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.
15 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 thee.
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of [my] hands; thy walls [are] continually before me.
17 Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.
18 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, [and] come to thee. [As] I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them [on thee], as a bride [doeth].
19 For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.
20 The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place [is] too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.
21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where [had] they [been]?
22 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in [their] arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon [their] shoulders.
23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with [their] face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
25 But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
Overview of Isaiah Chapter 49
Isaiah 49 is a pivotal chapter in the Book of Isaiah, focusing on the theme of the Servant of the Lord. This chapter emphasizes the mission of the Servant, the restoration of Israel, and the hope for the nations. It reflects God’s plan for redemption and the role of the Servant in bringing salvation to both Israel and the Gentiles.
Key Themes
- The Calling of the Servant: The chapter begins with the Servant’s divine calling, illustrating how God has chosen him from birth.
- Restoration of Israel: The Servant’s mission includes restoring Israel and bringing the scattered people back to their homeland.
- Light to the Nations: The Servant is portrayed as a light to the Gentiles, signifying that God’s salvation is for all people.
- God’s Faithfulness: The chapter emphasizes God’s unwavering commitment to His people and His plans for their future.
Structure of the Chapter
- Verses 1-6: The Servant’s Commission
- The Servant speaks about his calling and preparation by God.
- He is to bring Jacob back to God and restore Israel.
- His role extends beyond Israel, as he is to be a light to the nations.
- Verses 7-13: God’s Assurance and Promise
- God reassures the Servant of His support and the ultimate success of his mission.
- The chapter includes a declaration of joy and celebration for the future restoration.
- Verses 14-26: Zion’s Response and God’s Commitment
- Zion expresses feelings of abandonment, but God promises to never forget His people.
- God’s commitment to His people is reiterated, emphasizing His protective nature.
- The chapter concludes with a vision of future abundance and restoration for Israel.
Detailed Analysis
The Servant’s Commission (Verses 1-6)
In the opening verses, the Servant addresses the nations, highlighting his divine calling. The imagery of being called from the womb signifies a preordained mission. The Servant acknowledges the challenge of his task but remains committed to fulfilling God’s purpose.
- Verse 1: The Servant’s voice is described as reaching the distant lands, indicating the universal scope of his mission.
- Verse 3: God declares the Servant as His chosen instrument, emphasizing the significance of his role in the divine plan.
- Verse 6: The Servant is tasked with being a light to the nations, highlighting the inclusivity of God’s salvation.
God’s Assurance and Promise (Verses 7-13)
These verses convey God’s assurance to the Servant, affirming that he will be honored and supported in his mission. The promise of restoration and joy is a central theme, reflecting God’s desire for His people to experience hope and renewal.
- Verse 7: The Servant is described as one who will be despised, yet God promises to vindicate him.
- Verse 10: The imagery of leading the blind and providing sustenance symbolizes God’s care and provision.
Zion’s Response and God’s Commitment (Verses 14-26)
The latter part of the chapter addresses Zion’s feelings of abandonment. However, God reassures His people of His everlasting love and commitment. This section emphasizes the theme of hope and restoration, portraying a future where God’s people will thrive.
- Verse 15: God compares His love for His people to a mother’s love, illustrating the depth of His commitment.
- Verse 25: God promises to contend with those who oppose His people, ensuring their protection and restoration.
Conclusion
Isaiah 49 presents a profound message of hope, restoration, and divine purpose. The chapter highlights the Servant’s role in God’s redemptive plan, emphasizing that salvation is not limited to Israel but extends to all nations. The assurances of God’s faithfulness and commitment to His people resonate throughout the text, offering encouragement and hope for the future.
