Isaiah 49

Isaiah 49:1

B. The Messiah and His Rejection by Israel (Chaps. 4957)1. The Messiah as Servant (Chap. 49)In chapters 49 through 53, God is dealing with His people because of their rejection of the Messiah. This is the book of the Suffering Servant of Jehovah. 49:1-6 The servant of Jehovah in chapter 49 may seem to be the nation of Israel in verses 1-3, but only the Lord Jesus fully answers to the text. In verse 3 Israel is mentioned by name, but it is Christ, the true “Prince of God,” and not the nation. In verses 5 and 6 the Servant is distinguished from Israel. The restorations of Israel merge in these verses, first the return under Cyrus, then the future restoration when the Messiah sets up His Kingdom. The Servant calls on the people of the world to heed Him as He recounts His birth, the name that was given to Him before His birth (Mat_1:21), His incisive, authoritative message, and His appointment by God as Servant, a Prince of God (Israel) in whom Jehovah would be glorified. He further intimates the trouble of soul He experienced over His rejection by Israel (see Mat_11:16-24), but then His satisfaction that God would reward (cf. v. 4 with Mat_11:25-26). God called Him not only to bring about the spiritual rebirth of Israel, but also to bring salvation to the Gentiles. Verse 6b is quoted in Act_13:47 as referring to Christ. 49:7 In His First Advent the LORD was deeply despised and abhorred by the nation of Israel, lower on the social ladder than the Gentile kings. But in His Second Advent, earth’s monarchs will pay homage to Him. The phrase “Servant of rulers” has been true of Israel as well; compare Joseph, Mordecai, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel. 49:8-13 God answered Christ’s prayer by raising Him from the dead, then assigning Him to bring Israel back to the land. The Servant of Jehovah will summon the people to return to the land, and provide ideal travel conditions along the way. They will come from all over the world, from as far away as Sinim (possibly China). It will be a glad day for the world when Israel experiences His comfort and compassion in this way. 49:14-16 In the meantime, the city of Zion is portrayed as feeling that her Lord has forgotten her. Jehovah’s answer is that a mother may forget her nursing baby, but He will never forget His city. Zion is inscribed on the palms of His hands, and her walls are never out of His mind. We instinctively compare the reference to the palms of Jehovah’s hands with the lovewounds borne by Christ for us. A great English Christian poet expressed it beautifully: My name from the palms of His hands Eternity will not erase; Imprest on His heart it remains In marks of indelible grace. Augustus Toplady49:17, 18 Israel’s children are hurrying back to Zion, while the wrecking crew is leaving. The assembling crowds, converging on the city, become like jewels on a bride. 49:19-21 The waste and desolate places of Israel will experience a population explosion. Zion will wonder where so many Jews come fromafter all, she has been widowed a long time! 49:22, 23 At a signal from the Lord God, the nations will set up an enormous airlift to carry the exiles back to the land. Gentile monarchs will serve God’s people, and Israel will realize that it does pay after all to wait for the Lord. 49:24-26 If the captives in Babylon have any qualms as to the possibility of their being freed from the mighty tyrant, let them know that Jehovah will contend with their adversaries and save their children. When the oppressors reap what they have sown, then the world will know that the Lord is Israel’s Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.