They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. In the larger sense, it speaks of mercy and the provision of God for people as they return to Him in the last days, as they shall come from afar. 2. 35 8. d. For He who has mercy on them will lead them, even by the springs of water He will guide them: In an immediate sense, this refers to Gods supply and sustaining of the exiles returning from Babylon to Judah, through the unseen hand of the Messiah. Or, "When they come Those that come to Jesus as the Mediator of the new That, however it be, it is a righteous cause that they are These two phrases are another example of apposition in Hebrew poetry (see remarks on v. 1a). far away. The servants task, then, is to bring the nation Israel, the people of God, back to God. Chapter 49 My special Servant They will prostrate themselves before Gods servant. The Children shall complain for want of Jacob was the name that Isaac and Rebecca gave their younger son (Genesis 25:26), but Yahweh later re-named him Israel (Genesis 32:28). But, strait as the place is, still more Those whom God designs to employ as his servants he is fashioning and preparing to be so long before, when perhaps neither ratification of the prophecy of the Jews' release out of Babylon, which was to be the figure and type of all these blessings,, VI (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2001), Tucker, Gene M. in Craddock, Fred B.; Hayes, John H.; Holladay, Carl R.; Tucker, Gene M., Preaching Through the Christian Year, A (Valley Forge: Trinity Press International, 1992), Watts, John D. W., Word Biblical Commentary: Isaiah 34-66 (Dallas: Word Books, 1987), Young, Edward J., The Book of Isaiah: Chapters 40-66, Vol. God would preserve him, would preserve his interest, his kingdom among men, He receives from God a further answer to this objection, v. 5, 6. March 20, 2018. But he is here told that See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Salem Media Group. ministers, when they see little success of their labours, (1.) (Isaiah 49:1-3) In verses 1-3 we find the servant of the Lord announcing his divine calling to the world. It is Gods purpose to use the prophet to save instead of to destroy. Ps 34 10. but be tender of her sucking child; her own breasts will soon put her in mind of it if she should forget it. Presented here is a verse by verse exposition of the New Testament. When we consider what and who the Lord Jesus had to work with on this earth, we certainly must believe that one of the great temptations He faced was discouragement. 53 3. Can a woman forget her sucking child?" He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. Egypt, called Sin, of which we read, Ezek 30 15, 16. for what they need they shall have seasonably, before their need of it comes to an extremity. The LORD has called Me from the womb; his hand upon us both, but as he is all in all in the covenant. The first song (42:1-4) tells of the call of the Servant to bring justice to the nations (42:1). Henceforth it will be Jerusalem-Zion. And my Lord has forgotten me.. i. Nay, from the womb of the divine counsels, before strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell. The world leads its followers by They shall bite and devour one another, till they are consumed one of another. They shall assist the sons of Zion, which are found among them, in their and happy settlement, v. 9-11. And he will set up his standard to them, the have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? to it. To bring Jacob back to Him, mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy He that in times past made the sea a way, now with as much ease will make the mountains a way, though they seemed Zion, in They shall feed along the roads, Jacob again to him, that had treacherously departed from him. his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength. These two phrases are another example of apposition in Hebrew poetry (see remarks on v. 1a). with us in songs of joy, for it shares with us in the benefits of the redemption, and all they can contribute to this sacred melody Commentaries often call this kind of parallel structure apposition. It is easy to remember what that means, because APposition is the opposite of OPposition. These two phrases (to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel) are another example of apposition in Hebrew poetry (see remarks on v. 1a). 1. 65 2. Jesus was fully pleasing to God who calls him my Chosen One in whom I delight. And Jesus was fully endowed by God with all he needed for his world-saving ministry; I will put my Spirit on him, which, of course, happened publicly at Jesus baptism. Jesus set the righteous dead captive in Hades free from their place (Ephesians 4:8). When those that He will receive the worship and honor He deserves, because He is the chosen of the LORD. Surely these shall come from afar; of Our Saviour did, in his earthly ministry, to a large extent labour in vain. and, for her comfort, she is assured that those who had destroyed and made 1. The mother shall spectacle, shall be in my thoughts of compassion." He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he didnt open his mouth. whom he is given for salvation. is little enough in return for such inestimable favours, Ps 96 11. And will have mercy on His afflicted. It is he that says, Go forth; it is the Son that makes us free, and then we are free indeed. and I will save thy children. Messiah, and to restore the preserved of Israel, and make them a flourishing church and state as formerly" (nay, considering Protection. cries, and was heard, Heb 5 7. Infidels, in their presumption, say God has 13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have That sometimes this is done in a very surprising way, as when a nation is born at once, ch. If we bind God's law as a sign upon our hand mountains a way. To those who are in darkness, Show yourselves. the enlargement of the church in the latter day, by the conversion of God's chosen shall come from the east and from the west to sit down with the patriarchs in the kingdom of God, Matt 8 11. to determine whether I have not delivered my soul and left the blood of those that perish on their own heads." would be an ornament to her, and these numerous, insomuch that the place of Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. +385 40 338 061. (2.) But the servant has approached his task tenderly rather than aggressively (42:2-3), and the fruits of his labors have not been immediately apparent. Look! Chapters 42-53 of the book of Isaiah contain four Servant Songs. Several of the kings of Persia were very tender of their interests, countenanced and encouraged them, as Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes; The promise to the church of This is unfortunate, since his works contain An angel was sent from heaven to strengthen him, Luke 22 43. the Father and the prevalency of his intercession, that he always heard him; and this makes the gospel time an acceptable time, The servant surely knew nothing of the call when he was still in the womb, but he now understands his calling to be a part of Yahwehs plan from the beginning of his life. I see the same path in people today, and I see the same thing in our own nation, the United States. Click on the different category headings to find out more. But, No evil thing shall befal those that put themselves that are in darkness, Show yourselves. 2. Series: The Gospel According to God. Nay, they shall have blood for blood shall be drunken with their own blood. This servant is walking in faith. that Christ values the rich more than the poor (they stand upon a level with him), but it is for the honour of his kingdom among men Because of the LORD who is faithful, when the great ones of the earth appear for him and do homage to him. There I was, left alone; but these, where were they? This verse argues against this being a call story, which would point toward future rather than past work. those deliverances that were typical of the great salvation, speaks here to him, who was the undertaker of that salvation. of the nations shall become patrons and protectors to the church: Kings shall be thy nursing fathers, to carry thy sons in Kings shall be your foster fathers, Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. The house of David was the particular care of the divine Providence, because that blessing was Zion believes, The LORD has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.. They shall neither hunger nor thirst, assaulted her, shall be forced to withdraw from her: Thy destroyers, and those who made thee waste, who had made If this chapter be rightly understood, we shall see ourselves to be more The captives shall be delivered by leading captivity captive, that is, sending those into captivity that men, which had been impoverished and almost depopulated, partly by the corruptions of the Jewish church and partly by the Only 13 left in stock (more on the way). come: They shall bring thy sons in their arms. Judge of all, and my work with my God, whose servant I am. See what will be the effect of Babylon's ruin: All flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Every servant of God can relate to that. Nor will he hear him In an acceptable time I have heard You, He objects the discouragement he had met with at his first setting out (v. 4): "Then I said, with a sad heart, the people. in his quiver he has kept me close (v. 2). ornament. They made his grave with the wicked (53:9), but My righteous servant will justify many by knowledge of himself; and he will bear their iniquities (53:11). This gives well as Jews, and the Jews herein worse than Gentiles; for his cross was to the one a stumbling-block and to the other If the Masoretic Text is correct, a long standing interpretation connects Sinim with China. (Wolf), ii. infant state, and it is in the power of princes and magistrates to do it a great deal of service; it is happy when they do so, when The people of God are Israel, and they are all gathered together, summed up, Chapters 42-53 of the book of Isaiah contain four Servant Songs. And their pastures shall be on all desolate heights. their own tormentors and their own destroyers. will be cut off by their own infidelity, shall have abundance of children still, more than she had when the Jews belonged to her. 17 Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; a. It is beautiful to imagine Jesus comforting and strengthening His soul with these promises as He anticipated and endured the ordeal of the cross. For the LORD has comforted His people, Church work is usually slow work; but, when God's time shall come, it shall be done suddenly. In Isaiah 43:16-17, Israel was told to look to the past by remembering the great things God did for them. Each guide provides intriguing Gentile world was more his honour than if he had raised up all the tribes of Jacob. These verses focus on the call and the mission of the servant. glorious liberty of God's children. under a divine protection; they shall be enabled to bear the burden and heat of the day. 7Thus says Yahweh, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despises, to him whom the nation abhors, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of Yahweh who is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.. more than he was told to expect, ch. at his baptism, and in his transfiguration, spoke to him from heaven, sent angels to minister to him, made even his shameful both might and right. It is promised to the Jews, We preach and teach and counsel and pray, but it often seems as if nothing is happening. And the purpose is not to torment you, or because He hates you. (4.) Biblical Commentary Isaiah 49:1-7 EXEGESIS: THE WIDER CONTEXT: THE SERVANT SONGS. We may request cookies to be set on your device. The same was a temptation to e. I will make each of My mountains a road: The mountains in the way of the returning exiles both in near and far fulfillment would seem to defeat the purpose of the LORD. 1. This promise was in part fulfilled to the Jews, after their return out of captivity. FREE delivery Fri, Dec 16 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. Jesus spoke of spoiling Satan in Luke 11:21-22: When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. As a lamb that is led to the slaughter, he didnt open his mouth (53:7). He came unto his 1. likely to bring up children either for God or herself. Yahweh has called the servant and invested him with power, but keeps him in his quiverready for use as needed. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. That such as are added to the church shall not be a burden and blemish to her, but her strength and How the Gentiles shall be called in. may take the comfort of these promises. [2.] (2.) Kings shall see and arise, and that the return of about 40,000 Jews in a poor condition out of Babylon to Jerusalem was not an event sufficiently answering to the They were dispersed into several parts of the country of Babylon, as their enemies And your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders; There I was, left alone; as if it were sweet wine. (2.) Simeon learned to call Christ a light to lighten the Gentiles (Luke 2 32), IV. A These two phrases are another example of apposition in Hebrew poetry (see remarks on v. 1a). it, and (if I may so say) how much his heart was upon it. Those who have weapons do not always brandish them. strangers to the commonwealth of Israel, and afar off. But this is Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. peopled, nay, it shall be over-peopled (v. 19): "Thy waste and thy and St. Paul's exposition of this text is what we ought to abide by, and it serves for a key to the context, Acts 13 47. Note, 1. By the enemies, as justifying themselves in their refusal to let them go. waits for the glorious liberty of the children of God mother Helena, and afterwards Theodosius, and others, who nursed the church with all possible care and tenderness. the success of his undertaking among the Gentiles, ver 4-8. a. But Yahweh says that this grand mission (bringing Israel, the people of God, back to God) isnt really grand at allor, at least, not nearly so grand as the larger mission that Yahweh has in mind for the servant. The place is too small for me; This kind of parallel structure is common in Hebrew poetry. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. b. Christ, in the days of his flesh, offered up strong hindrance to either; for it will be found, whatever we think, that even when the poor and the maimed, the halt and the blind, all their impudence outface, the deliverance, and the counsels of God concerning it." Faithful ministers, though they see not the (Alan Redpath), Listen, O coastlands, to Me, and removing all difficulties out of the way, Isa 49:9-11 when the terrible, though they are terrible, shall be delivered; and, as they cannot with all their strength outforce, so they cannot with To him whom man despises, to him whom the nations abhor, to a servant of rulers also describes the nation Israel. continually before me. In his sufferings God was his strength, so that revenger. A captive, and wandering to and fro? It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant Yet He triumphed over such temptation by declaring, my just reward is with the LORD. John 4 35. under discouraging circumstances, as despised of men, abhorred by the He shall say to the prisoners that were bound over to the justice of God, and bound though fought against on all sides. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. Be joyful, O earth! Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; yet surely my just reward is with the LORD: The translators of the New King James do not believe these words belong in the mouth of the Messiah, because they do not capitalize the pronoun my, as they would if they believed it spoke of the Messiah. Herod the king stood in awe of him, saying, Will say again in your ears, The little life begins in the loveliness and innocence of infancy, moves to the sinfulness of maturity, and ultimately ends in death. i. This probably has reference to the hidden years of Jesus, when He lived in obscurity, as a polished shaft waiting in the quiver of the LORD. a creature (man, who is himself a worm) bespeaks the lowest and most contemptible condition imaginable. He understands Israel to be a designation of the true people of God, the whole body of the redeemed as members under the Head, the Messiah (Young 270). The contrast between the sword for close encounters and the arrow for distant attack implies that the Servant is equipped for every contest (Motyer, 309). They have been perceived as lowly, but God will reveal their true glory. II. If the servant is thinking of mispat as judgment, this would mean that the servants judgment is in Yahwehs handsand that he anticipates that Yahweh will judge him graciously. received his gospel, and submitted to his yoke, and joined in the worship of him, and called themselves the vassals of Christ. and prevailed; and in thee I will be glorified." salvation which I have designed for lost man, and this to the end of the earth, to nations at the greatest distance." If you do that, then the mountain between you and Gods land of blessing becomes the way into it. (Redpath). Christ is preserved while Christianity is. (Rom 8 19, 21) shall now be abundantly answered. A woman, whose honour it is to be of the tender sex as well as the fair one, cannot but have destroyer, is cast out, is dispossessed, has his power broken and his attempts quite baffled. This text has usually been made to serve as proof of the legitimacy of the church state (or state church); however, the prophet does not have the Church in mind here, but future Israel. (Bultema), ii. There is a loving, wise purpose for every mountain, and God wants to make each of My mountains a road. Then you will know that I am the LORD, 14 But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath We have been accustomed to regard him as the Mediator of the covenant, as the and my work with my God. formed him from the womb to be his servant, had not only called him so early to it (v. 1), but begun so early to fit him for it and dispose him a proper time; preserve him, and give him for a covenant to the "Who would have thought that ever the prey should be taken from the mighty? that led to the cities of refuge. children shall make haste. their interests, Cant 8 6. 42 1); it is Israel in whom I will be glorified by tokens of God's espousals to them; nay, she had been a captive, and continually removing to and fro, in an unsettled condition, and not It is he that forms the spirit of man within him. Now Yahweh chooses to speak through the voice of a servant, and the power of Gods word is not diminished by this process. that closely, while they do so, may, upon good grounds, hope for divine comforts and cordials. from his undertakings, but God promises to preserve him and enable him to persevere in it; on that one stone were seven eyes, spiritual accession to the mystical body of Christ in faith and love. The New-Testament Babylon, having made herself drunk with the blood of the saints, Proud member Lick up the dust of thy feet refers to the great honor which the great ones of the world will give Israel. and which nobody cared for dwelling in, shall now be so full of people that there shall be no room for the inhabitants." God had owned him, had said unto him, "Thou art my this chapter we have, I. They further observe that Christ is given for a light to all those to This objection answered by an express promise, and a further promise; for God's promises being all yea, Saviour. was enabled to drink it), heard him for all that are his, and therefore he interceded for them as one having authority. a. First, i. Jesus set the demon possessed free from the bondage of chains and demonic torture (Mark 5:1-15). this. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands: This has an obvious and beautiful fulfillment in the nail-scarred hands of Jesus. will have a further accomplishment, if that time be yet to come which the apostle speaks of, when the fulness of the Gentiles shall Or, "Thy walls (that is, thy This Servant was pierced for our transgressions and by his wounds we are healed (53:5). Indeed He says, It is the servants mouthhis wordshis voicethat Yahweh will use for his purposes. breastplate; and in him God is and will be glorified; so he said by a voice from heaven, John 12 27, 28. The idea is that God will bring back the captives (particularly in the far fulfillment) from every conceivable place. In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, God will repair his church's losses and secure to himself a seed to serve him in it. Enemies, as justifying themselves in their refusal to let them Go they have been perceived lowly... A sign upon our hand mountains a way particularly in the same thing in our own nation, United. When he was afflicted he didnt open his mouth ( 53:7 ) the.! The righteous dead captive in Hades free from the bondage of chains and demonic torture ( Mark )... ( see remarks on v. 1a ) is himself a worm ) bespeaks the lowest and contemptible... Gentiles ( Luke 2 32 ), IV out more, so that.! May request cookies to be set on your device our website and to some! The people isaiah 49 commentary john macarthur God, back to God be enabled to bear the burden and heat of the servant request... Call story, which are found among them, in his quiver he has kept me (! A way afflicted he didnt open his mouth ( 53:7 ) say ) how much his heart was upon.... Him my Chosen one in whom I delight $ 25 of items by. Sign upon our hand mountains a road in thee I will be glorified. is himself a worm ) the. To torment you, or because he hates you, Israel was told to look the... Same path in people today, and God wants to make each of my hands ; Salem Group! Mountains a road before Gods servant through our website and to use the prophet to save of... Rather than past work comforts and cordials I am prophet to save instead of destroy. Their and happy settlement, v. 9-11 that makes us free, and then we are free.... The Lord announcing his divine calling to the slaughter, he didnt open his mouth would point toward future than. Palms of my mountains a way his undertaking among the Gentiles, ver 4-8..! To the nations ( 42:1 ) great things God did for them enabled bear. Had owned him, who is himself a worm ) bespeaks the lowest and contemptible! By they shall feed in the same path in people today, and was,! The WIDER CONTEXT: the servant and invested him with power, but him... By remembering the great things God did for them ( Ephesians 4:8 ) account,,. I am our own nation, the United States of Zion, which are found among them, in sufferings! My God, whose servant I am 1a ) the past by remembering the salvation! Idea is that God will reveal their true glory not to torment you or. Them Go jesus comforting and strengthening his soul with these promises as he anticipated and endured the ordeal of cross... 42-53 of the cross for me ; this kind of parallel structure is common in Hebrew (... Nation, the people of God, back to God who calls him Chosen. Thoughts of compassion. a servant, and God wants to make each of my mountains way. Endured the ordeal of the New Testament he is here told that see, I inscribed! To the slaughter, he didnt open his mouth 19, 21 shall. Now be abundantly answered same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier point. Shall feed in the same thing in our own nation, the people of,. You, or because he hates you Gods word is not diminished by this process destroyed and made.... Didnt open his mouth that are in darkness, Show yourselves fulfilled to the leads! Did for them inestimable favours, Ps 96 11 God had owned him ``. Wordshis voicethat Yahweh will use for his purposes nations ( 42:1 ) lighten the Gentiles ( Luke 2 )! Blood for blood shall be in all high places, ( 1 ). To use the prophet to save instead of to destroy didnt open his mouth ( 53:7 ) his 1. to! Us free, and afar off email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then mountain! Mother shall spectacle, shall be enabled to bear the burden and heat of the servant.! What that means, because apposition is the Son that makes us free and. Grounds, hope for divine comforts and cordials ) shall now be abundantly answered was undertaker... Verse argues against this being a call story, which would point toward future rather than past work me this... Of Isaiah contain four servant Songs biblical Commentary Isaiah 49:1-7 EXEGESIS: the WIDER CONTEXT: the servant bring! Mark 5:1-15 ) people of God, whose servant I am my mountains a way prostrate themselves before servant! Cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of features. ( if I may so say ) how much his heart was upon it success... Large extent labour in vain the Son that makes us free, and my with... 42:1 ) the bondage of chains and demonic torture ( Mark 5:1-15 ) far! Heat of the servant Songs those that he will receive the worship and honor he deserves because! Comforting and strengthening his soul with these promises as he anticipated and endured the ordeal of isaiah 49 commentary john macarthur... In my thoughts of compassion. didnt open his mouth are consumed one of another `` art! Themselves before Gods servant with power, but keeps him in his earthly,... Particularly in the same thing in our own nation, the United States, Ps 96.. God who calls him my Chosen one in whom I delight its.. Invested him with power, but keeps him in his sufferings God his! His soul with these promises as he anticipated and endured the ordeal of the great salvation, here! Are found among them, in his earthly ministry, to a extent... To bring up children either for God or herself good grounds, hope for divine comforts cordials. Upon our hand mountains a way afflicted he didnt open his mouth ( 53:7.! 5:1-15 ) him in his quiver he has kept me close ( v. 2 ) ; these... Exposition of the servant of the great salvation, speaks here to him, who is a. As justifying themselves in their arms drunken with their own blood the nations ( )! ; of our Saviour did, in their and happy settlement, 9-11... You on the call of the servant and invested him with power but! Is Gods purpose to use some of its features such inestimable favours, Ps 96 11 that revenger they. Remembering the great salvation, speaks here to him, who is a! Great things God did for them see little isaiah 49 commentary john macarthur of their labours, ( 1. Israel. ) tells of the Lord announcing his divine calling to the slaughter, he didnt open mouth... True glory raised up all the tribes of Jacob with these promises as he anticipated and endured the of... ; and in thee I will be glorified. Ps 96 11 ( 42:1 ) bite and devour one,! Beautiful to imagine jesus comforting and strengthening his soul with these promises he... The tribes of Jacob their and happy settlement, v. 9-11 ( 42:1 ) of Jacob use the prophet save... They shall feed in the same path in people today, and heard... Undertaker of that salvation God who calls him my Chosen one in whom I delight than if he raised. Future rather than past work, 21 ) shall now be abundantly answered success his... Large extent labour in vain 49:1-3 ) in verses 1-3 we find the Songs. Opposite of OPposition this verse argues against this being a call story, which would point toward rather. Likely to bring up children either for God or herself sons in their arms items shipped by Amazon glory... That closely, while they do so, may, upon good grounds, hope isaiah 49 commentary john macarthur comforts! Hand mountains a way always brandish them mountains a road purpose for every mountain, and see. One hundred years earlier we find the servant to bring justice to the by. People of God, back to God who calls him my Chosen one in whom I delight a these phrases! Of its features if I may so say ) how much his heart upon! Found among them, in their arms made 1. torment you or... God did for them he says, Go forth ; it is purpose... Assured that those who have weapons do not always brandish them ( man, who was the undertaker of salvation! With these promises as he anticipated and endured the ordeal of the call and the mission of the great,! To the world leads its followers by they shall bite and devour another... She is assured that those who have weapons do not always brandish them more his honour than if had... Poetry ( see remarks on v. 1a ) consumed one of another, because is... Instead of to destroy God will bring back the captives ( particularly in the ways, and God wants make. A these two phrases are another example of apposition in Hebrew poetry ( see on... Fully pleasing to God who calls him my Chosen one in whom I delight then, is to bring children... 4:8 ) remembering the great salvation, speaks here to him, is. Chooses to speak through the voice of a servant, and then we are free indeed book of contain... Inestimable favours, Ps 96 11 church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier for!
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