Isaiah 49 :1-6 - Jesus Christ, the Messianic Servant.

Systematically, we have seen how the Prophet Isaiah in his book covered the different themes pertaining to Israel. All the recorded events happened according to what Yahweh, Israel’s covenant God, had directed. Being the designer and architect of their history, He was involved in every step of the nation’s development. But what He did for Israel was in preparation for a plan that would affect the restoration and redemption of the whole world. Know that the Sovereign Lord is not only the God of Israel, He is also the God, the Sovereign Lord, who controls the affairs of all the world. Kingdom rises and falls to fulfill His plan. We know this because immediately after Adam’s fall, He already had spoken his intention aloud in Genesis 3:15. At that point, God already had the redemption and restoration of mankind in mind. The call of Abraham, the formation of the nation Israel, their bondage in Egypt, their deliverance, and their whole array of experiences leading to the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, were all part and parcel of God’s redemption plan.  

In the book of Isaiah God had referred to both Israel and Cyrus as His servant, at different times. Now in Isaiah 49 - 57, God would be foretelling about another of His Servant. He is none other than Jesus Christ, His suffering servant. While chapters 42-48 refer to Cyrus whose mission was to deliver Israel, chapters  49-57 would center on God’s Suffering Servant and His mission to redeem the world. We will see how the description of this Suffering Servant fits so accurately with the life of Jesus Christ, presented in the Gospel.

Declaring to His audience, the Servant Himself disclosed His worldwide mission. The audience He addressed was not confined to the people of Judah, but those from afar as well. His commission to this worldwide people was made even before He was born. His name was given to Him while He was still in His mother’s womb. His word would be like a sharp sword. In preparation, He would also be hidden for a while in the shadow of God Almighty and in the quiver of God. When fully prepared and thrust into the ministry, He would be like a sharpened arrow ready to hit its target.  

Verses 4-6 suggest that His ministry would be met with obstacles. From John’s Gospel we are told that He came to His own, but they did not receive Him. Despite the rejection, He was committed to His task for HIs approval would come from God. He would bring Israel back to God as well as be a light to the nations.  

God’s target is not only to save Israel but all the world. See His Heart! Yes, God so loves the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that we who believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life. And in Him, we are recruited to be His redemptive agents. We must take up the responsibility to declare the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light. Come, let’s go forth and declare this wonderful Kingdom!