Isaiah 49 (v5-7)

Isaiah 40-66 is in 3 sections: 40-48, 49-57 and 58-66.  This middle section has a strong emphasis on the character of the Servant/Messiah.  In Isaiah 42 we noted the first of 4 “Servant Songs” in Isaiah.  The other 3 are in this section beginning in this chapter (49:1-13; 50:4-11; and the most well known, 52:13-53:12).  Each Song exalts the Messiah and gives us deep insight into the plan of God. 

The LORD has offered eternal salvation to Israel, and to the nations.  How did Israel’s Redeemer/Savior become Redeemer/Savior for the whole world.  The answer is here.  Note the 7 stanzas of the song.

1.     v1-2: The Servant is the Lord’s arrow to accomplish His will.

2.     v3-4: Yet the Servant has not accomplished great things.  This speaks of Christ in the “hour of the power of darkness” (Luke 22:53) as on the cross He cried to His Father: “Why have you forsaken me” (Matt. 27:46).

3.     v5-6: The Lord responds that the work of the Servant in fact requires a greater reward.  Israel is not enough; He will also receive the Gentiles.  The Father promised to give His Son the nations as an inheritance (Psalm 2:8).  It is the plan as revealed in Phil. 2:5-11: the humiliation of the Servant does not end until the cross; but then the exaltation begins.  God always exalts the humble (cf. Luke 14:11; 18:14 and many more).

4.     v7: The Lord is faithful.  He will do this!

5.     v8-9a: He will do it in an acceptable time, a time of His choosing.  This will include the days in which we live (2 Cor. 6:2).

6.     v9b-12: Ultimately it will involve the Messianic Kingdom.

7.     v13: Sing praise to God.  The LORD has truly comforted His people!

As with the personal Servant, the Messiah, so it is with the national servant Israel: they feel forsaken (14).  They have not been God’s witness nor brought Him glory as they should.  In amazing words of comfort God assures them He will not, He cannot, forget them (v15-16).  They will rise over their enemies (v17-18, a promise not yet fulfilled).  Like Job who was blessed with a second family, so Israel will be blessed far beyond the lost blessings of the past (v19-21).  The nations will help exalt Israel (v22-23), with kings as their “foster fathers” and queens their “nursing mothers”.  Thus all flesh shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob (v24-26).

Consider the Apostle Paul when he quoted Isa. 49:8 in 2 Cor. 6:2.  His point was that we today not receive the grace of God in vain (6:1).  We need not be empty or forsaken.  Paul implores: “Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold NOW is the day of salvation.”  The Servant/Messiah has humbled Himself all the way to the cross.  He has done the work of redemption.  He is exalted every time someone bows the knee to Him, accepting His gracious work on their behalf.  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).  He is exalted as we live our lives in submission to His Lordship (Rom. 12:1)!