 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
More Isaiah commentaries
Isaiah 46:1-13
Sovereign Control of God
Isaiah 47:1-15
The Humiliation of Babylon
Isaiah 48:1-11
The Lord Corrects His People
Isaiah 48:12-22
It is Best to Obey The Lord
Isaiah 49:1-13
Bringing Light to The Gentiles
Isaiah 49:14-26
God Will Remember Zion
Isaiah 50:1-11
God’s Servant Must Suffer
Isaiah 51:1-11
Reassurance of Israel’s Future
© Family Times | About Us | Donate | Contact Us
Search for sermons by: Commentaries | Scripture search | Topics
Bringing Light to The Gentiles
Isaiah 49:1–13
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Two Ladies were sharing lunch together when one said to the other: “I don’t know many Christians, but somehow I can’t help regarding them as hypocrites.” Said the other, “But your sister-in-law, she lives in the same house with you; surely you must acknowledg … More
Before the servant, Jesus Christ was born, God had chosen Him to bring the message of salvation to the whole world (Acts 13:47). In this passage, God’s Servant explains His ministry as bringing light in the darkness (vv 1-7), and liberty to the captives (vv 8-13). He came as a Servant and a Warrior. He came to serve those who trust Him and to bring judgment on those who resist Him. As Jesus Christ ministered on earth, especially to His own people, there were times when His work seemed like it was in vain (vv. 1-4). The religious leaders opposed Him, the disciples did not always understand Him, and those He helped did not always thank Him. However, he lived and labored by faith, and God gave him success.
Our Lord could not minister to the Gentiles until first He ministered to the Jews (vv 5-6). We must never forget that salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22). The Bible is a Jewish book, the first believers and missionaries were Jews, and the Gentiles would have never heard the Gospel had it not been for the Jews who brought it to them.
Moses led the Jewish nation out of bondage in Egypt, and God will lead His people out of captivity in Babylon. We look beyond the deliverance from Babylon in 536 BC toward the future kingdom that will be established on the earth (vv. 10-12). It seems that the idea of this passage is that the personal servant of the Lord shall both restore salvation to Israel and bring salvation to the Gentiles.Application
Like Israel, my mission today is to take the Good News to the ends of the earth. I cannot do the job by myself but must seek to get others involved with me.
Isaiah 49:1-13 (English Standard Version)
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. 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. And he said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified." 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." 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-- 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." 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." 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, 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; 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. And I will make all my mountains a road, and my highways shall be raised up. Behold, these shall come from afar, and behold, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Syene." 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.
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
Post your comment or question below.