Scriptural text: Isaiah 49:1-17
Lesson Context: Israel was awaiting impatiently, waiting for God to act (1 Peter 1:10-13). And while their freedom in Him would certainly come with responsibilities, that day would also be one of great joy. All this would be accomplished through one servant eager to do God’s will.
In the book of Isaiah, there are four poems about the Messiah. They are called “Servant Poems” or “Servant Songs.” It is more than a poem about a servant. It is a prophecy, about the work of Jesus, the Messiah. He who is the servant in the Servant Poems.
Identity of the Servant (Isaiah 49:1-5):
Called by God (vv. 1-3). The true servant of the Lord, the Messiah, Jesus, steps forward. He tells of His mission to Israel and to all humanity (Isaiah 49:1-7). Jesus repeats the promises of God made to Him and to Israel (Isaiah 49:8-13). God’s plan is not haphazard or slapdash; it’s not being made up as humanity progresses, without an end in God’s mind. Rather, God knows His intentions for the servant even before his mother was aware she was pregnant (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21).
And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword. In context, the sharp sword in a prophet’s mouth likely refers to the words God calls His servant speak prophetically. God imbues these words with authority (see Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). Although Jesus’ words bring peace when accepted, they also act to divide the righteous from the unrighteous (Matthew 10:34-39).
In the shadow of His hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me. The shadow of God-whether his hand or His wings-is one who speaks of the safety of being in God’s care. Like a polished shaft God kept the servant safe and at the ready so that when his task came, the servant would be perfectly able to accomplish his work.
The Lord’s Plan (Isaiah 49:6-13).
Call to All (vv. 6-7): And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel are the elect of God among the Jews; though the characters agree with all the chosen of God of all nations, who, are distinguished from the rest of the world, and are “preserved in Christ,” Jude 1:1, where they are preserved before they are redeemed and are called; not from falling in Adam with the rest of mankind, nor from the general corruption of nature, nor from the actual sins and transgressions; yet from the condemnation of the law.
Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and His Holy One…These are all the titles of the Father of Christ, who is the Jehovah, the self-existent Being; “the Redeemer of Israel,” being concerned with his Son in the redemption, of his people.
I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. (6b) The affirmation is made that the Lord’s plan was for the message of redemption in Christ to include Gentiles as well as the Jews.
References: John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, 2021-2022 Standard Lesson Commentary, Enduring Word Commentary