LESSON 20

THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD ADDRESSED 

ISAIAH CHAPTER 49

Isaiah 49-57 is the second section of the second part of Isaiah.  The main theme of this portion of God’s Word is the person of the servant of the Lord.  Throughout Isaiah we have been moving toward Isaiah 53 which reveals the suffering of the Cross of Christ, the central theme.  As we look at these four prophecies or songs, we see a complete and majestic portrayal of the suffering servant.  What will catch our attention is the humiliation our Lord suffered in His death, but His resurrection and exaltation will lead us to worship in humble adoration.

The servant addresses Himself to the gentiles who were people from afar and only God’s Servant could bring them near.  Paul deals with this in Ephesians 2:11-22, looking forward to strangers and foreigners being made fellow citizens in the household of God.  The quote, “He hid or concealed me in his quiver,” probably speaks of the pre-existence of the Servant.  As we move through these prophecies, it will become clear that no personality fits these visions of Isaiah historically except Jesus of Nazareth.  As God has entrusted to His Servant to rise up or restore the tribes of Jacob, which is   Israel, an even greater task has been given to be the light to all nations and bring salvation to the whole earth.

In Isaiah 49:7-13, the once despised Servant will be exalted in the future and is the source for comfort and song.  The Servant is the living link between God and His people.  The scorching desert wind is a dangerous natural phenomenon to travelers of the arid desert, but the promise of God to His people is that they will be led safely through all hazards that make the pathway of life difficult.  In verse 12, the final ingathering of the people of God to their land is anticipated. As one looks forward to the glorious redemption that the Lord has in store for Israel, a hymn of praise is a natural result.

In Isaiah 49:14-26, we have Jehovah’s reassurance that He has not forgotten His people or His promises.  The Bible usually emphasis the fatherhood of God, but there is a “motherhood” side to God’s nature that we should not forget.  God is compassionate and comforts us as a mother comforts her children.  Isaiah looks at Israel as a nursing child, totally dependent on the Lord who will never forget Israel or forsake it.  In Isaiah 49:16, we have a very clear picture of being engraved upon the palm of our Lord’s hand.  Think of it; our names are engraved on our Lord’s hand, and His strong right arm is our defense.  The next time you feel alone or that no one cares, bring these thoughts to mind; you will see why there is no need to fear, (II Timothy 1:7).

As the chapter ends, we see the Lord snatching Israel from the grasp of the fierce warriors of Babylon.  The reason for this is that the honor of Jehovah is at stake in fulfilling His promises to His people. Israel has a future because God has promised it with Himself as the guarantee.