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Isa 49:1-55:13 THE SALVATION OF GOD’S PEOPLE

The servant’s task (Isa 49:1-7)

Leaving behind the subject of Cyrus’s conquest, the prophecy now develops the theme of the servant of Yahweh. The second Servant Song begins by recording how Israel was chosen by God to be his servant, and prepared by God to do his work. As Israel did the work faithfully, it would bring praise to God (Isa 49:1-3).

Israel as a whole failed, but from generation to generation a minority within Israel, the remnant, remained loyal to Yahweh as his servant. They were unable to save their people from captivity, but they still trusted in God that he would bring some good from their work (Isa 49:4).

They now see God’s purpose in preserving and strengthening the faithful remnant through the captivity. He wants to use them to lead his people back to their land, from where they will send the light of his salvation to the darkened heathen nations (Isa 49:5-6).

God’s servant will then no longer suffer the shame that Israel experienced in the captivity. On the contrary, those who once despised God’s servant will now give him honour, proving to all that God is faithful to his people and faithful to his word (Isa 49:7).

Again the nation as a whole failed in its task, though, as always, a small minority remained faithful (cf. Luke 1:16-17; John 20:21; Acts 13:46-47).

Jesus the Messiah, the perfection of Israel, was the one who truly brought his people back to God, sent the light of God’s salvation to the Gentiles, and receives homage from people of all nations (Matt 1:21; Luke 2:30-32; Acts 26:23; Rom 15:8-12; Rev 3:7).