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Isaiah 49:16
Verse
Context
The Servant and Light to the Gentiles
15“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you! 16Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me. 17Your builders hasten back; your destroyers and wreckers depart from you.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands "Behold, on the palms of my hands have I delineated thee" - This is certainly an allusion to some practice, common among the Jews at that time, of making marks on their hands or arms by punctures on the skin, with some sort of sign or representation of the city or temple, to show their affection and zeal for it. They had a method of making such punctures indelible by fire, or by staining. See note on Isa 44:6 (note). It is well known, that the pilgrims at the holy sepulcher get themselves marked in this manner with what are called the ensigns of Jerusalem. See Maundrell, p. 75, where he tells us how it is performed: and this art is practiced by travelling Jews all over the world at this day.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Alluding to the Jews' custom (perhaps drawn from Exo 13:9) of puncturing on their hands a representation of their city and temple, in token of zeal for them [LOWTH], (Sol 8:6).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands,.... Not upon his thick clouds, the clouds of heaven under him, always in view, as R. Saadiah Gaon, mentioned by Jarchi, Aben Ezra, and Kimchi: much better the Targum, "lo, as upon the hands thou art engraven before me;'' signifying that his people were always in his sight, his eyes were ever upon them, and never withdrawn from them; as anything held in the hand, or tied to or wore upon it, as a signet or ring that has the name of a person on it, to which the allusion may be; which shows how near and dear they are to him, what affection he has for them, and care of them; see Sol 8:6. Some think respect is had to the wounds in the hands of Christ, which, being on their account, are looked upon and remembered by him; or, however, to their being in his hands, out of which none can pluck them, Joh 10:28, thy walls are continually before me; not the walls of Jerusalem to rebuild, though there may be an allusion to them; but either the walls of their houses where they dwell; his delights being in the habitable parts of his earth, where his saints are; or rather the walls of the church of God, for the erecting and establishing of which he is concerned. The metaphor seems to be taken from an architect that has the plan of a building, a house, or a city and its walls, in his hand, or lying before him. The phrase denotes the constant care and concern of Jehovah for the protection and safety of his church and people; who places angels about them, salvation for walls and bulwarks to them, yea, he himself is a wall of fire about them, Isa 26:1.
Isaiah 49:16
The Servant and Light to the Gentiles
15“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you! 16Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me. 17Your builders hasten back; your destroyers and wreckers depart from you.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Why You Must Know God in Person
By Kathryn Kuhlman10K21:51Knowing GodEXO 33:23PSA 56:8ISA 49:16MAT 12:30JHN 3:16ROM 2:6REV 21:4In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the comforting presence of God in times of darkness and despair. They share personal experiences of feeling hopeless and burdened, but also feeling the strong arms of God around them, providing strength and wiping away tears. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing God as a person with intellect, emotion, and will, just like a loving earthly father. They encourage listeners to establish a deep and intimate relationship with God, similar to the relationship the speaker had with their own father. The sermon also includes some personal anecdotes about the speaker's childhood experiences in Missouri.
Fear of Man
By Bill McLeod4.1K51:49Fear Of ManDEU 20:5ISA 49:16JER 2:32MAT 10:30MRK 16:15ACT 16:30ROM 8:31In this sermon, the speaker addresses a group of people and asks them if they have unfinished business in their lives. He mentions those who have built houses but haven't dedicated them, those who have planted vineyards but haven't enjoyed the first fruits, and those who are engaged but not yet married. He advises these individuals to take care of these matters because they might not survive the upcoming battle. The speaker then emphasizes the importance of drawing near to God, cleansing oneself, and humbling oneself in order to experience revival and the power of the Holy Spirit. He also warns against the trap of fear and encourages putting trust in the Lord for safety. The sermon references James 4:8, Galatians 4:6, and Proverbs 29:25.
The Sickness, Death and Resurrection of Lazarus 1 of 4 (Reading)
By Robert Murray M'Cheyne1.7K48:02GEN 18:17EXO 33:11EXO 34:34PSA 2:9ISA 49:16MAT 8:23JHN 15:15In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jesus and his disciples on the Sea of Galilee. He emphasizes the importance of faith and how it is tested in times of trials. The preacher also highlights how God's love is present even when it may seem like he is not answering our prayers. The sermon concludes with a reminder to follow Jesus fearlessly, even in the face of opposition, and to walk in the path of duty with a good conscience.
The Majesty of Our God
By Leonard Ravenhill1.7K51:28Character Of GodEXO 15:1EXO 15:11ISA 40:18ISA 49:16ISA 60:1HEB 11:11HEB 11:18In this sermon, Dave Wilkerson and his wife discuss the power of experiencing God's presence firsthand rather than just watching it in films or hearing about it in class. They announce their plan to hold a weekly Bible study for sixty minutes, focusing on the eleventh chapter of Hebrews on faith. They emphasize the importance of studying the Word of God and encourage listeners to tape the sessions. The sermon also highlights the incomparable nature of God and the inability to compare Him to anything or anyone else.
Israel: What's Going On? What We Can We Do?
By Shane Idleman3552:48Faith in Troubling TimesIsrael and the Middle East ConflictGEN 12:3DEU 28:2NEH 1:8PSA 27:7ISA 49:16JER 31:35EZK 38:1MAT 5:9ROM 11:17REV 8:1Shane Idleman addresses the complexities surrounding Israel's current situation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical and biblical context. He discusses the ongoing conflict, the role of various nations, and the significance of Israel in God's plan, urging the congregation to stand with Israel while also recognizing the need for compassion towards all affected by the violence. Idleman highlights the necessity of seeking truth through God's Word and encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith amidst societal turmoil, reminding them that God is ultimately in control.
God Knows Me
By J.I. Packer0Divine FriendshipGod's KnowledgePSA 139:1ISA 49:16J.I. Packer emphasizes the profound truth that God knows each of us intimately and continuously, providing us with comfort and assurance in His unwavering love and attention. He highlights that our knowledge of God is rooted in His initiative to know us first, and that this relationship is based on His realistic understanding of our flaws and imperfections. Packer reassures us that God's love is not diminished by our shortcomings, and instead, it invites us to worship and love Him in return, knowing that He desires a friendship with us, exemplified by the sacrifice of His Son.
Spiritual Lessons From the Trees
By John Hames0GEN 2:16PSA 1:3ISA 49:16MAT 3:10ACT 20:241CO 15:42John Hames preaches on the valuable lessons we can learn from trees as divine creations, highlighting their instructive nature, dependence on unseen sources, resilience to weather changes, and provision for others. He emphasizes the importance of patience, perseverance, and faith in our Christian journey, drawing parallels between the growth of a tree and the development of believers in Christ. Hames also points out the unity, reliability, and steadfastness that trees exhibit, challenging Christians to emulate these qualities in their faith walk and interactions with others. Furthermore, he connects the changing seasons of a tree to the need for variety and freshness in our spiritual lives, urging preachers and believers to avoid monotony and embrace diversity in their expressions of faith.
The Ear of God
By John Hames0PSA 34:15PSA 139:7ISA 49:16MAT 7:71PE 3:12John Hames delivers a sermon on the attentive, patient, and universal ear of God, emphasizing that His ears are always open to the cries of the righteous. Hames explores the comforting truth that God's ear is not only universal and attentive but also patient, confidential, impartial, and unforgetting, highlighting the unique and unwavering nature of God's listening to His children.
Our Father's Care (Isa. Xlix: 16)
By Seth Rees0PSA 37:23PSA 139:1ISA 41:10ISA 49:16ROM 8:31ROM 8:34HEB 7:25HEB 13:51JN 2:1REV 21:2Seth Rees preaches about God's unwavering love and care for His people, using Isaiah 49:16 as a response to Israel's cry of feeling forsaken. He emphasizes God's personal knowledge of each individual, His everlasting love, and His constant intercession for His children. Rees encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness, reminding them that their names are graven on the palms of His hands, symbolizing His eternal remembrance and care. He assures that God's plan for each life is meticulously mapped out and guided by His wisdom, even in times of distress or when it seems like everything is falling apart.
He Careth for You
By William MacDonald0Assurance in TrialsGod's CareEXO 16:4PSA 56:8ISA 43:2ISA 49:16MAT 6:26MAT 10:29MAT 10:31LUK 12:6HEB 13:51PE 5:7William MacDonald emphasizes God's profound care for His people, illustrating this through biblical examples such as the provision for Israel in the wilderness and the care for sparrows and lilies. He reassures us that we are of greater value to God than these creatures, as evidenced by Christ's sacrificial love and His intimate knowledge of our lives. MacDonald highlights that God is always present with us, bearing our burdens and ensuring our needs are met, even in times of trouble. He concludes with the assurance that God's care extends throughout our lives, from youth to old age, and that He will never abandon us.
We Are Almost Home!
By Anne Dutton0ISA 49:16Anne Dutton preaches about the unfailing love and care of Jesus towards His followers, assuring them of His constant presence, friendship, and power to save. She emphasizes that despite human frailty and shortcomings, Christ's love remains steadfast and eternal, offering comfort and security through all trials. Dutton encourages trust in the Lord's everlasting strength and grace, reminding believers to rely on Him completely for guidance and provision, leading to glorification of His name. She concludes with gratitude for God's abundant mercies and a prayer for holiness, fruitfulness, and usefulness in serving the Lord.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands "Behold, on the palms of my hands have I delineated thee" - This is certainly an allusion to some practice, common among the Jews at that time, of making marks on their hands or arms by punctures on the skin, with some sort of sign or representation of the city or temple, to show their affection and zeal for it. They had a method of making such punctures indelible by fire, or by staining. See note on Isa 44:6 (note). It is well known, that the pilgrims at the holy sepulcher get themselves marked in this manner with what are called the ensigns of Jerusalem. See Maundrell, p. 75, where he tells us how it is performed: and this art is practiced by travelling Jews all over the world at this day.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Alluding to the Jews' custom (perhaps drawn from Exo 13:9) of puncturing on their hands a representation of their city and temple, in token of zeal for them [LOWTH], (Sol 8:6).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands,.... Not upon his thick clouds, the clouds of heaven under him, always in view, as R. Saadiah Gaon, mentioned by Jarchi, Aben Ezra, and Kimchi: much better the Targum, "lo, as upon the hands thou art engraven before me;'' signifying that his people were always in his sight, his eyes were ever upon them, and never withdrawn from them; as anything held in the hand, or tied to or wore upon it, as a signet or ring that has the name of a person on it, to which the allusion may be; which shows how near and dear they are to him, what affection he has for them, and care of them; see Sol 8:6. Some think respect is had to the wounds in the hands of Christ, which, being on their account, are looked upon and remembered by him; or, however, to their being in his hands, out of which none can pluck them, Joh 10:28, thy walls are continually before me; not the walls of Jerusalem to rebuild, though there may be an allusion to them; but either the walls of their houses where they dwell; his delights being in the habitable parts of his earth, where his saints are; or rather the walls of the church of God, for the erecting and establishing of which he is concerned. The metaphor seems to be taken from an architect that has the plan of a building, a house, or a city and its walls, in his hand, or lying before him. The phrase denotes the constant care and concern of Jehovah for the protection and safety of his church and people; who places angels about them, salvation for walls and bulwarks to them, yea, he himself is a wall of fire about them, Isa 26:1.