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Isaiah 49:4
Verse
Context
Sermons
William MacDonaldWilliam MacDonald
David Wilkerson
Jonathan EdwardsSummary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
In the next v. the speaker meets the words of divine calling and promise with a complaint, which immediately silences itself, however. "And I, I said, I have wearied myself in vain, and thrown away my strength for nothing and to no purpose; yet my right is with Jehovah, and my reward with my God." The Vav with which the v. opens introduces the apparent discrepancy between the calling he had received, and the apparent failure of his work. אכן, however, denotes the conclusion which might be drawn from this, that there was neither reality nor truth in his call. The relation between the clauses is exactly the same as that in Psa 31:23 and Jon 2:5 (where we find אך, which is more rarely used in this adversative sense); compare also Psa 30:7 (but I said), and the psalm of Hezekiah in Isa 38:10 with the antithesis in Psa 38:15. In the midst of his activity no fruit was to be seen, and the thought came upon him, that it was a failure; but this disturbance of his rejoicing in his calling was soon quieted in the confident assurance that his mishpât (i.e., his good right in opposition to all contradiction and resistance) and his "work" (i.e., the result and fruit of the work, which is apparently in vain) are with Jehovah, and laid up with Him until the time when He will vindicate His servant's right, and crown his labour with success. We must not allow ourselves to be led astray by such parallels as Isa 40:10; Isa 62:11. The words are not spoken in a collective capacity any more than in the former part of the verse; the lamentation of Israel as a people, in Isa 40:27, is expressed very differently.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
I--Messiah. in vain--comparatively in the case of the greater number of His own countrymen. "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not" (Isa 53:1-3; Luk 19:14; Joh 1:11; Joh 7:5). Only a hundred twenty disciples met after His personal ministry was ended (Act 1:15). yet . . . my judgment . . . with the Lord--Ultimately, God will do justice to My cause, and reward (Margin for "work," compare Isa 40:10; Isa 62:11) My labors and sufferings. He was never "discouraged" (Isa 42:4; Isa 50:7, Isa 50:10). He calmly, in spite of seeming ill success for the time, left the result with God, confident of final triumph (Isa 53:10-12; Pe1 2:23). So the ministers of Christ (Co1 4:1-5; Pe1 4:19).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then I said,.... The Messiah said, by way of objection, in a view of what treatment he should meet with, or when entered on his work, and which he found by experience, what follows: I have laboured in vain; this is not to be understood of the travail of his soul, or of his sufferings and death, which were not in vain, but issued in the redemption and salvation of his people; but of his ministry and miracles, and fatiguing journeys among the Jews; which, with respect to them, were in vain, as to their conversion and reformation; they rejecting the Messiah, slighting his doctrines and miracles, refusing to be gathered by him, being a faithless and perverse generation: I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain; by frequent preaching and working of miracles, and travelling from place to place: the same thing is designed as before, repeated in other words, to express the certainty of it, to chew the ingratitude and wickedness of the people, and to utter the complaints of his mind: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord; or is manifest before the Lord, as the Targum; the Lord knew that he had called him to his office; how prudently, diligently, and faithfully he had executed it; and what was his right and due, and which would be given him; and with this he corrects his former complaint, and makes himself easy, and quiets and satisfies his mind: and my work with my God; or the reward of my works is before my God, as the Targum; and before himself also, Isa 40:10 as his work was assigned him by the Lord, so his reward was promised him, and which he knew he should have; and having done his work, be asked for his reward, and had it, Joh 17:4.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
49:4 my work seems so useless . . . to no purpose: Even though people stubbornly refuse his message, the servant would reach out to them. • I will trust God: Despite discouragement and suffering, the servant would continue to discharge his duty faithfully, trusting God for the outcome. God promised to reward the servant’s faithfulness (see also 40:10; 50:8).
Isaiah 49:4
The Servant and Light to the Gentiles
3He said to Me, “You are My Servant, Israel, in whom I will display My glory.” 4But I said, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength in futility and vanity; yet My vindication is with the LORD, and My reward is with My God.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Matthew 15:1
By William MacDonald1.2K38:23PhariseesISA 49:4ISA 55:10MAT 18:152CO 2:12In this sermon, the preacher begins by discussing various lures and promises that are often presented to people in the name of spirituality and fulfillment. He then refers to Isaiah 49:4, where the prophet expresses feelings of discouragement and a sense of laboring in vain. The preacher shares a personal experience of going through a difficult time and receiving a letter from a Christian sister that brought comfort and relief. The sermon also touches on the importance of following God's way, including resolving conflicts by directly addressing the person involved. The preacher concludes by referencing Luke 5:28 and highlighting the unexpected blessings that come with making the decision to trust Christ and commit one's life to Him.
Greenwood Hills Conference 1989-02 Nehemiah 4:1
By William MacDonald1.1K47:05Conference1CH 28:20PSA 126:5ISA 49:4JER 31:16ROM 8:311CO 15:58GAL 6:9In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of conflict in the Christian life and service. He highlights various challenges faced by the people in the book of Nehemiah, such as discouragement, greed, and compromise. The speaker emphasizes the need for steadfastness and perseverance in the face of opposition. He also emphasizes the power of prayer and encourages listeners to engage in extended times of prayer for the work of God. The sermon references several Bible verses, including 1 Corinthians 15:58, Galatians 6:9, and Matthew 9:38.
Reconsidering John 11 in the Context of Isaiah 49
By Art Katz0Faith in God's SovereigntyUnderstanding GriefISA 49:4JHN 11:33JHN 11:40JHN 11:43Art Katz explores the profound emotional response of Jesus in John 11, particularly His weeping over the sisters' misunderstanding of death and God's sovereignty, contrasting it with the prophetic insights of Isaiah 49. He emphasizes that Jesus' sorrow stemmed from their failure to grasp the eschatological significance of Lazarus' death, which was meant to reveal God's glory. Katz highlights the need for believers to recognize the deeper purposes of God in their trials, rather than viewing loss solely through the lens of personal grief. He calls attention to the importance of faith in seeing God's glory, as demonstrated in Jesus' powerful command to Lazarus. Ultimately, the sermon serves as a reminder of the greater resurrection hope that awaits both individuals and the nation of Israel.
Believing a Lie
By David Wilkerson0Faithfulness in ServiceOvercoming Discouragement1KI 19:4PSA 55:6ISA 49:41CO 15:58GAL 4:11David Wilkerson addresses the feelings of discouragement that arise from unmet expectations and the lies of the enemy that suggest one's life has been ineffective. He draws parallels with biblical figures like Elijah, David, and Paul, who also experienced despair over their perceived failures in their divine callings. Wilkerson encourages believers to reject these lies and to find strength in the Holy Spirit, reminding them that their labor for the Lord is not in vain. He emphasizes the importance of steadfastness and faith in God's promises, urging listeners to trust that their efforts will be rewarded. Ultimately, he reassures that God understands their struggles and is with them in their journey.
A Farewell Sermon
By Jonathan Edwards0DEU 33:8ISA 49:4JER 6:29DAN 12:3MAT 22:13LUK 14:16ROM 2:51CO 4:52CO 1:14GAL 4:13HEB 13:17Jonathan Edwards delivers a farewell sermon at the First Church in Northampton, MA, emphasizing the accountability of ministers and their congregations before Christ's tribunal on the day of judgment. He highlights the importance of ministers approving themselves to their conscience, their hearers, and ultimately to their Judge. Edwards explains how ministers and their people, though separated in this world, will meet again before Christ for a final judgment, where their actions, controversies, and treatment of each other will be examined and judged. He urges the congregation, including professors of godliness, those under awakenings, young people, and children, to consider their eternal destiny, the impact of his ministry on their lives, and the need for sincere repentance and faith in Christ before the impending judgment day.
Then I Said, I Have Laboured in Vain, I Have Spent My Strength for Nought
By John Calvin0ISA 49:4MAT 13:221CO 15:58GAL 6:92TI 4:2John Calvin preaches about the challenges faced by godly teachers who may feel discouraged when they do not see the immediate results of their labor. He emphasizes the importance of serving God faithfully, even when it seems like their efforts are in vain, and encourages them to continue their work diligently without being disheartened by the world's malice. Calvin highlights the ingratitude of the world towards the gospel, attributing the lack of fruitfulness not to the message itself but to the obstinacy and rejection of God's grace by people. He challenges those who criticize the effectiveness of the gospel, reminding them that the responsibility lies with individuals who hinder the impact of the Word through their unbelief and actions.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
In the next v. the speaker meets the words of divine calling and promise with a complaint, which immediately silences itself, however. "And I, I said, I have wearied myself in vain, and thrown away my strength for nothing and to no purpose; yet my right is with Jehovah, and my reward with my God." The Vav with which the v. opens introduces the apparent discrepancy between the calling he had received, and the apparent failure of his work. אכן, however, denotes the conclusion which might be drawn from this, that there was neither reality nor truth in his call. The relation between the clauses is exactly the same as that in Psa 31:23 and Jon 2:5 (where we find אך, which is more rarely used in this adversative sense); compare also Psa 30:7 (but I said), and the psalm of Hezekiah in Isa 38:10 with the antithesis in Psa 38:15. In the midst of his activity no fruit was to be seen, and the thought came upon him, that it was a failure; but this disturbance of his rejoicing in his calling was soon quieted in the confident assurance that his mishpât (i.e., his good right in opposition to all contradiction and resistance) and his "work" (i.e., the result and fruit of the work, which is apparently in vain) are with Jehovah, and laid up with Him until the time when He will vindicate His servant's right, and crown his labour with success. We must not allow ourselves to be led astray by such parallels as Isa 40:10; Isa 62:11. The words are not spoken in a collective capacity any more than in the former part of the verse; the lamentation of Israel as a people, in Isa 40:27, is expressed very differently.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
I--Messiah. in vain--comparatively in the case of the greater number of His own countrymen. "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not" (Isa 53:1-3; Luk 19:14; Joh 1:11; Joh 7:5). Only a hundred twenty disciples met after His personal ministry was ended (Act 1:15). yet . . . my judgment . . . with the Lord--Ultimately, God will do justice to My cause, and reward (Margin for "work," compare Isa 40:10; Isa 62:11) My labors and sufferings. He was never "discouraged" (Isa 42:4; Isa 50:7, Isa 50:10). He calmly, in spite of seeming ill success for the time, left the result with God, confident of final triumph (Isa 53:10-12; Pe1 2:23). So the ministers of Christ (Co1 4:1-5; Pe1 4:19).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then I said,.... The Messiah said, by way of objection, in a view of what treatment he should meet with, or when entered on his work, and which he found by experience, what follows: I have laboured in vain; this is not to be understood of the travail of his soul, or of his sufferings and death, which were not in vain, but issued in the redemption and salvation of his people; but of his ministry and miracles, and fatiguing journeys among the Jews; which, with respect to them, were in vain, as to their conversion and reformation; they rejecting the Messiah, slighting his doctrines and miracles, refusing to be gathered by him, being a faithless and perverse generation: I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain; by frequent preaching and working of miracles, and travelling from place to place: the same thing is designed as before, repeated in other words, to express the certainty of it, to chew the ingratitude and wickedness of the people, and to utter the complaints of his mind: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord; or is manifest before the Lord, as the Targum; the Lord knew that he had called him to his office; how prudently, diligently, and faithfully he had executed it; and what was his right and due, and which would be given him; and with this he corrects his former complaint, and makes himself easy, and quiets and satisfies his mind: and my work with my God; or the reward of my works is before my God, as the Targum; and before himself also, Isa 40:10 as his work was assigned him by the Lord, so his reward was promised him, and which he knew he should have; and having done his work, be asked for his reward, and had it, Joh 17:4.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
49:4 my work seems so useless . . . to no purpose: Even though people stubbornly refuse his message, the servant would reach out to them. • I will trust God: Despite discouragement and suffering, the servant would continue to discharge his duty faithfully, trusting God for the outcome. God promised to reward the servant’s faithfulness (see also 40:10; 50:8).