Isaiah 49:1-13

The task and guaranteed success

The task (1-6)

The chapter begins with a summons issued by the servant.

He is about to address the world as the Lord’s representative.

And the servant will speak the words of the Lord’s prophecy, and these words will pierce the hearts of those who hear which I think is what is intended by the imagery of a sharp sword and polished arrow in verse 2.

The name Israel that we see in verse 3 is the name that Jacob received back in Gen. The nation however, failed to live up to that name. In the chapter prior to this one, we are told:

Isaiah 48:1 ESV

1 Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and who came from the waters of Judah, who swear by the name of the Lord and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right.

but not in truth or right.

The Lord tells the servant that He will be glorified through Him. (3) And to that idea, the servant says, I have labored in vain (v. 4).

Isaiah 49:4 ESV

4 But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity…

Weariness. One commentator used the word despondency to describe the servant here. He felt that nothing had been achieved and it was all for nothing.

But in the same thought, the servant preaches the truth to himself:

Isaiah 49:4 ESV

… yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God.”

What’s the answer to the servant’s despondency? What’s the answer to the weariness? To turn from his own wisdom and to the wisdom of God. To turn from his own strength to the power of God.

And the servant reflects further in verse 5 that the Lord has prepared Him for this task. He reminds himself… in fact preaches to himself that the Lord s His strength.

You and I get discouraged sometimes wonder if the effort put forth and the energy expended has amounted to anything. Looking to ourselves will lead us down these empty and endless mazes of despair. What we need to do is look up. See ourselves, the world and the lives God has given us to live in light of His truth and His power.

And what God does far exceeds what we can imagine. Verse 6:

Isaiah 49:6 ESV

6 he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

The work to be done by God through the servant is to be a light not only to Israel but to the nations. The whole earth, who are burdened by sin and alienated form the Lord, will encounter the salvation of the Lord.

The they will sing for joy and worship the Lord.

Isaiah 49:1–13 ESV

1 Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. 2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away. 3 And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” 4 But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God.” 5 And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength— 6 he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” 7 Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” 8 Thus says the Lord: “In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages, 9 saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’ They shall feed along the ways; on all bare heights shall be their pasture; 10 they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. 11 And I will make all my mountains a road, and my highways shall be raised up. 12 Behold, these shall come from afar, and behold, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Syene.” 13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.