Isa. 49:1–50:3 The trusting servant of the Lord will save his despairing people with a salvation available for the whole world.
Isa. 49:1–13 The servant of the Lord will restore Israel and save the nations. This is the second of four Servant Songs, describing the Messiah (see note on 42:1–9).
Isa. 49:1 O coastlands . . . you peoples from afar. More nations are claimed by God’s grace. He named my name shows God’s personal care for his servant (see 43:1; 45:3–4).
Isa. 49:2 God alone prepared and equipped the servant. my mouth like a sharp sword. Unlike Cyrus, the servant conquers by the truth of his word (see 11:4; Rev. 19:15, 21).
Isa. 49:3 my servant, Israel. Comparing vv. 5–6, this servant Israel restores the nation Israel. The servant is the true embodiment of what the nation failed to be, namely, the one in whom I will be glorified.
Isa. 49:5–6 It is too light a thing. It is too small a task to redeem only the tribes of Jacob (ethnic Israel). It is clear here that the servant, though he embodies Israel (v. 3), is nevertheless distinct from Israel. He has a calling to serve Israel and beyond. that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. A clear statement of salvation’s worldwide scope, a theme that Acts develops by quoting this text (see Acts 1:8; 13:47).
Isa. 49:7 Unlike the kings of this world, the servant of the Lord conquers by his sufferings (see 50:6; 52:14–15).
Isa. 49:13 The servant’s triumph inspires great joy (see 44:23; 55:12–13; Rom. 8:19–21).
Isa. 49:14–16 The Lord is more attentive to his people than a mother is to her child.
Isa. 49:22–23 God moves history for the benefit of his people (see 45:14; 60:10–14).
Isa. 49:24–26 The people’s skeptical question in v. 24 is answered by the Lord’s strong assertion in vv. 25–26. His people’s enemies will eat their own flesh . . . be drunk with their own blood, as if under siege conditions. Then all flesh shall know that I am the Lord. This is God’s ultimate purpose. This phrase (“all flesh shall know”) comes from Ex. 6:7 and 14:18. It occurs elsewhere in Isaiah (e.g., Isa. 37:20; 45:3; 6; 49:23; 60:16).
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