A good portion of Isaiah is about where people place their hope. Judah put its hope in its own abilities, in powerful nations of Egypt, Assyria, & Babylon. Isaiah warns them that trusting in the strength of men – or nations – is useless.
But Isaiah speaks of a man that he calls “the Servant of the Lord,” who will bring true hope to God’s people.
Isa 49:1-6 Christ Revealed as God’s Salvation to the Ends of the Earth Notice how the verses are written in the first person. Isaiah was given words from God to speak of the “Servant of the Lord”. The words that God gave Isaiah are the Servant’s autobiography. These are the words of the Messiah, the anointed one, God’s commissioned one.
v. 1a. The Servant of the Lord calls to the nations (1) 1.a. The Servant calls to people from far-off coastlands, “Listen to me.” He announces his plans for the whole world to hear.
1.b. The Servant is Prepared and Concealed (2) The Father called the Servant from his mother’s womb. This speaks of the Servant having mission from the Lord even before his birth.
2.a,c. “He made my mouth like a sharp sword” “He made me a polished arrow” What does this mean? The Servant will speak and act with piercing truth. His words and actions will pierce hardened hearts to put their trust in him.
2.b&d “He hid me.” God will conceal his Servant until God is ready
v. 3. The Servant is called “Israel” (3) “Israel” – Why would the Messiah be named “Israel”? Israel was God’s chosen people. They were called to be faithful to God, to love him and honor him. God had a purpose for them, to be for his glory to the whole world. But Israel was not faithful to God. They sinned against God and sinned against each other. So God promised to raise up a Servant, a true Israel. This will be true Israel, “in whom I will be glorified.” Jesus will bring ultimate glory to the Father.
v. 4.a. Change in tone from glory to despondency. The Servant will trust the Lord in discouragement (4) “I labored in vain”, “I spent my strength for nothing.” Jesus for years tirelessly taught disciples, preached to crowds, healed masses. • His own people despised and rejected him. • They condemned him to death. • His own apostles deserted him. • One of his closest friends denied knowing him. • As he hung on the cross, all that remained was a single apostle, his mother and a few women. It would look to anyone like he had labored in vain and spent strength for nothing
Jesus was tested like we are. Would he look at his circumstances, say, ‘God, what are you doing?’ and give up? v.4.b. But the Servant will trust the Lord. He will labor and spend his strength and trust God for the fruit.
v. 5.b. The Servant will be prepared to restore Israel (5) The Messiah will “bring back” and “gather Israel to God.” He will be Redeemer and Restorer of God’s people.
v. 6. The Servant’s mission extends to the ends of the earth (6-7) “It is too light a thing… to raise up… Israel.” The honor and glory of the Servant is too great than simply restoring a nation
What to do with discouragement. Discouragement comes when we assess ourselves and our circumstances. v. 5. The antidote for your despondency is to listen to God. 5a. Recall God’s purposes for you. God has created you for a purpose. He made you for his great glory. 5c. Remember that God has honored you He created you in honor. He redeemed you at great cost. 5d. Recognize God’s presence brings strength. It is not just that God gives us strength, but that God’s presence is strength