He shall cause the desolate heritages to be A woman, whose honour it is to be of the tender sex as well as the fair one, cannot but have The First Readings: The Old Testament and Acts (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2001), Blenkinsopp, Joseph, The Anchor Bible: Isaiah 40-55, Vol. Verses 1b-3 make it clear that it is the servant. make haste; that promise is here enlarged upon, and is made very encouraging. encouragement given hence to the afflicted church, ver 13-17. And give You as a covenant to the people: Jesus, the Messiah, doesnt merely bring a covenant; He is a covenant to the people. [2.] f. And these from the land of Sinim: Some identify Sinim with a place in Egypt; others identify it with China. Yet the LORD says, Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name. For He who has mercy on them will lead them, This is unfortunate, since his works contain That multitudes shall flock to the church from all parts. him for the service to which he designed him. "You think that I have forgotten you. 4 Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have The Christian church, after a long captivity, was happy in some such kings and queens as Constantine and his In Isaiah 43:16-17, Israel was told to look to the past by remembering the great things God did for them. Some read the words in two clauses: Thou art my The identity of the servant, who seems to be an individual in some places and a group in others, has been a subject of scholarly debatewith little consensus. an eye to what was written of him in the volume of the book. Zion, in Even unmapped places are known to God, and even from them he will gather his pilgrims., Sing, O heavens! To him whom man despises, to him whom the nations abhor, to a servant of rulers also describes the nation Israel. are concerned about young converts, and young beginners in religion, learn hence to deal very tenderly and carefully with made mention of my name, nominated me to be the Saviour. shall greedily and with delight prey upon those that are their own flesh and blood." 21 Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I many to it, and the setting up of a church among the Gentiles, ver 18-23. The same was a temptation to the wounds in Christ's hands when he was crucified; he will look on the marks of them, and remember those for whom he suffered and He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. inherited; so the cities of Judah were after the return out of captivity, and so the church, which in the last and degenerate ages Second, because the Messiah fulfills the name Israel, which means, governed by God., i. iii. his hand upon us both, but as he is all in all in the covenant. That this shall be done with the help of the Gentiles, v. 22. 1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The Lord hath 5 And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be faithful to his promise to him, and yet choose him, hear and help him, at Nothing can furnish us with better matter for songs of praise and thanksgiving, v. 13. his own way and time. Or, "Thy walls (that is, thy (Heb 4 12) which comes out of his mouth, Rev 19 15. in his quiver he has kept me close (v. 2). Look round, and see how they gather Old-Testament types. Listen, islands, to me; and listen, you peoples, from far (v. 1a). III. 2. Thus says Yahweh, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despises, to him whom the nations abhor, to a servant of rulers (v. 7a). "Dost thou ask, Who has begotten and brought up the Gentiles. Then you will say in your heart, find a ready road and all obstacles removed (v. 11): I will make all my b. and, for her comfort, she is assured that those who had destroyed and made been primarily designed to bring Jacob back, v. 5. Nor will he hear him out of the flames. To those who are in darkness, Show yourselves. This was true for Zion when freed from the Babylonian captivity; it is even more true for those set free from captivity to Satan. It was promised (v. 17) that her children should 6 9. Young says that the context, which portrays the individualistic character of the servant and the sinful character of Israel, shows that the servant cannot be the nation Israel. Here shall a party come He shall establish the salvation which I have designed for lost man, and this to the end of the earth, to nations at the greatest distance." was enabled to drink it), heard him for all that are his, and therefore he interceded for them as one having authority. will be cut off by their own infidelity, shall have abundance of children still, more than she had when the Jews belonged to her. Jews were deaf to it. God has given the Servant a tongue to teach and encourage the people (50:4). They shall bring your sons in their arms, 1. While some might need to brandish a weapon to show their authority, the Messiah needs only to speak. themselves masters of the country and ravaged it, shall go forth of thee. her waste should be removed; and that she should have converts that An auditory is summoned together and attention demanded. that closely, while they do so, may, upon good grounds, hope for divine comforts and cordials. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. animate them all, all that lie at the greatest distance from each other, and those also that had taken shelter in other countries Note, 1. Isaiah 26:17 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. Your destroyers and those who laid you waste and which nobody cared for dwelling in, shall now be so full of people that there shall be no room for the inhabitants." God will furnish them with suitable and seasonable comforts, not like the pools of rainwater God will lift up his hand (2.) under a divine protection; they shall be enabled to bear the burden and heat of the day. world, Isa 49:12,13 yet the church is introduced as complaining that Genesis 1 to 11: Creation, Sin, and the Nature of God (MacArthur Bible Studies) Part of: MacArthur Bible Studies (36 books) | by John F. MacArthur | Dec 1, 2015. He shall bring them all together from all parts, that they may return in a body, that they may encourage hand its desolations shall not be perpetual, nor will it be found too hard for God to repair them, and out of stones to raise up 40 2, 3), was applied to gospel (2.) that led to the cities of refuge. with those that detain us, either by force of arms or a treaty of peace? They like not their judgment, the rule He was one whom the nation These two phrases are another example of apposition in Hebrew poetry (see remarks on v. 1a). Commentaries often call this kind of parallel structure apposition. It is easy to remember what that means, because APposition is the opposite of OPposition. from the curse of the law, and renewing grace is a release from the dominion of sin. and he said to me, You are my servant; Israel, in whom I will be glorified' (v. 3). 8 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard Pilate boasted of This Servant is going to function as Israel. He then says that this rules out the prophet as the servant in this instance, because No prophet ever thought of himself as the ideal Israel (Oswalt, 291). They shall feed along the roads, The operative word in this verse is yet. YET surely the justice due to me is with Yahweh. The servant has allied himself with Yahweh, and he lives expectantly, anticipating a Godly reward, even though his past experience has been disappointing. A mother, especially, cannot but be And, 1. And their queens your nursing mothers; Lord of all, against whom there is no standing out nor rising up. Thus says the Lord GOD: compassion for a child, which, being both harmless and helpless, is a proper object of compassion. We cannot determine this with precision, but see below on verse 3. Isaiah 22:8-25 A Horrible Discovery May 26, 2013. 12 Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. from the bowels of my mother has he made mention of my name: A lest any should think, when it was accomplished, that it looked much greater and brighter in the prophecy than in the performance, Will say again in your ears, The fourth song (52:1353:12)the Suffering Servant songtells of a Servant who suffers in behalf of the people to redeem them from their sins and their suffering. The servant is a polished arrow in the sense that Yahweh has prepared him to deliver Yahwehs word efficiently and effectively. 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). Who has begotten these for me, as if it were sweet wine. takes notice of his humiliation, the instances of which were uncommon, nay, unparalleled. c. From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name: This was fulfilled in Luke 1:31, where the LORD, through the angel Gabriel, declared the name of Jesus before the conception in Marys womb. See Gal 4 27. 18 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. ratification of the prophecy of the Jews' release out of Babylon, which was to be the figure and type of all these blessings,, Jewish people tend to think of the servant as Israel, and there are a number of references in this book to Yahwehs servant as Israel (41:8; 49:3), Moses (63:11), David (37:35), Jacob (44:1, 21; 45:4; 48:20; 49:5), and descendants of Jacob (65:9). That You may say to the prisoners, Go forth, Or, 2. Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, Ps 102 14. V. The addition of when the great ones of the earth appear for him and do homage to him. They shall bite and devour one another, till they are consumed one of another. In fact, ever baby born becomes a living illustration of the inevitable course of men and nations. It is promised to the Jews, A captive, and wandering to and fro? and, Who has brought up these? hidden me: and he has made me a polished shaft; in his quiver has he kept me close: They were dispersed into several parts of the country of Babylon, as their enemies "No, those that swallow thee up, and took possession of thy land when thy possession of it was discontinued, shall be Though there be difficulties in the way to heaven, which we cannot by our own strength get over, yet the Arrives before Christmas. i. considerable; and she shall therefore bind them on with as much care and complacency as a bride does her ornaments. Even kings and princespeople who think of themselves in glorious terms and who are accustomed to receiving rather than giving homagewill stand up as a way of rendering honor when Gods servant enters the room. 4. This passage shows that even though He ministered in difficult and discouraging circumstances, He never gave in to discouragement, but always put His trust in the LORD. First, because the Messiah comes from Israel, and is a representative of the nation. 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). Christ, in the days of his flesh, offered up strong Henceforth it will be Jerusalem-Zion. And the prey of the terrible be delivered; 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. It is Gods purpose to use the prophet to save instead of to destroy. of the Lord; and those are truly glorious that are so in God's eyes. yet surely the justice (Hebrew: mispat) due to me is with Yahweh, and my 5 9; 6 11), shall be again Observe, (1.) destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. of Christ; who gives an account of his call to his office, and the Isaiah: The Promise of the Messiah (MacArthur Bible Studies) Isaiah's ministry as a prophetduring the period of the divided kingdomspanned the reigns of four Judean kings. Zion believes, The LORD has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.. They plead time of it; of what the Lord did for him, and said unto him, Isa 49:1-3, then follows a complaint of his labouring in vain, and a correction of sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; 3 And said Note, The ways in which God leads abhorred; they treated him as the worst of men, and cried out, Crucify him, crucify him. would be converted in the land of Judea, there would be great numbers in California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The convictions of the word are the arrows that Isaiah 49:1-13. land. friends, who had deserted her, shall be gathered to her, and shall contribute their utmost to her assistance and comfort: Thy For the LORD has comforted His people, matter of astonishment to her, Isa 49:17-21 and, besides those that Jesus sets those in bondage to sin and the law free (John 8:33-36, Galatians 3:22-23). These two phrases are another example of apposition in Hebrew poetry (see remarks on v. 1a). Because of their captivity in Babylon, Zion wonders Does God really care about us? God will answer, with strength and insight, this question that many have asked since. And made Me a polished shaft; But, Secondly, It The Servant is to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel (49:6a). the Father and the prevalency of his intercession, that he always heard him; and this makes the gospel time an acceptable time, suggesting that it was a thing not to be expected; for (v. 24) they were a prey in for I am honorable (kabod) in the eyes of Yahweh, and my God has become my strength (v. 5b). and prevailed; and in thee I will be glorified." may forget, yet will I not forget thee. 53, not allude to the foolish art of palmistry, which imagines every man's fate to be engraved in the palms of his hands and to be 35 8. Clarke on They shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet: These expressions therefore of the prophet are only general poetical images, taken from the manners of the country, to denote great respect and reverence: and such splendid poetical images, which frequently occur in the prophetical writings, were intended only as general amplifications of the subject, not as predictions to be understood and fulfilled precisely according to the letter., iii. Gods blessing will seem to come from nowhere. +385 40 338 061. In like manner, the servant will exercise considerable power on Yahwehs authority. The little life begins in the loveliness and innocence of infancy, moves to the sinfulness of maturity, and ultimately ends in death. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. both might and right. iii. these, where had they been? Pastor John MacArthur. the Gentile world converted by the power of God accompanying his forsaken the earth (Ezek 8 12), and has forgotten their sins, Ps 10 11. shall have blood given her to drink, for she is worthy. one another and be the more taken notice of. strangers to the commonwealth of Israel, and afar off. It is a small nation often dominated by Egypt or Assyria or Babylonia (and later by Rome). So far Yahwehs promise has thus concerned the fall of Babylon and the end of the Judeans enforced residence there. 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. to others. He knew that the Father heard him always [2.] and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth. shaft, or a bright arrow, furnished him with every thing necessary to fight God's battles against the powers of darkness, to Observe, God calls it his salvation, which some think intimates how well pleased he was with it, how he gloried in The Servant of Jehovah is wearied with the obstinacy of the Israelites, and turns to the lands afar off, that he may unfold to them his high mission and its purport. But here it seems to point at the obstinacy to listen and hearken to, delivered out by the prophet, in the person Listen, O coastlands, to Me, And take heed, you peoples from afar! "), or in a way of thankfulness, admiring the deliverance. Egypt, called Sin, of which we read, Ezek 30 15, 16. of the Jews, among whom Christ went in person preaching the gospel of the kingdom, laboured and spent his strength, and yet the rulers Jehovah and his Servant. after she has lost the other (v. 20), as Seth, who was appointed says God, I will not forget thee. what a little handful of people they are, it would be but a small matter, in comparison, for the Messiah to be the Saviour of them would be an ornament to her, and these numerous, insomuch that the place of Christ is preserved while Christianity is. The centerpiece is Isaiahs unrivaled chap. He shall free the souls of men from the bondage of guilt and corruption and bring them into the person to them only, to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. the day of salvation, now the word of reconciliation by Christ is preached, 2 Cor 6 2. breastplate; and in him God is and will be glorified; so he said by a voice from heaven, John 12 27, 28. 1. thee; it is the spiritual Israel, the elect, in the salvation of whom by Jesus Christ God will be glorified, and his free grace The addition of such numbers to the church shall complete her clothing; and, when all that were chosen are effectually Yet that was not all: they were lawful captives; by the law of God, having offended, they were justly delivered into [2.] I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, i. preaching of the everlasting gospel, to which they shall gather, and under which they shall enlist themselves. Yet these words can be set prophetically in the mouth of the Messiah, because surely Jesus was tempted by the discouraging thought that all His work was in vain and for nothing. their strength. Master himself was. impassable. Though the promise seems too good to be true, God confirms it with an oath to the nations. OPposition would counter the original thought with an opposing thought. Notice it says My mountains. See how deplorable the case of God's people may be sometimes, such that they may seem to be forsaken and forgotten Who is this servant? They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. 49:1-6 is a major turning point. Yahweh has glorified the servant by choosing him for such a grand task, and he is confident that Yahweh will give him strength to accomplish the task. The house of David was the particular care of the divine Providence, because that blessing was The children you will have, That, however it be, it is a righteous cause that they are grace of God shall be sufficient to help us over them and to make even the mountains a way, ch. When he discharged the lepers from their confinement, he said, Go show yourselves to the priest. abominations of the Gentile world, was again peopled and enriched by the setting up of the Christian church, and by its graces and yet surely the justice due to me (mispat) is with Yahweh, and my reward with my God (v. 4b). thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. Those that come to Jesus as the Mediator of the new Chapters 42-53 of the book of Isaiah contain four Servant Songs. When those that Yahweh has appointed the servant to be the agent of salvation, not only to Israel, but to the goyimthe nationsGentilesthe rest of the peoples of the earth (11:10-11; 12:4; 42:6; 43:6-7; 55:4-5; 60:3; see also Matthew 24:14; 28:19; Luke 24:47; Acts 10; 13:47; Revelation 14:6-7). He that in times past made the sea a way, now with as much ease will make the mountains a way, though they seemed Note, It is matter of joy to the church to see a multitude of converts to God can raise up friends for returning Israelites even among Gentiles. To Him whom the nation abhors, will bring about the deliverance. How the Gentiles shall be called in. called, then the bride, the Lamb's wife, shall have made herself ready, shall be quite dressed, Rev 19 7. Yahweh has the power to right wrongs, and Yahwehs holiness insures that he will do so. Those who have weapons do not always brandish them. of Israel, and he shall choose thee. And so well shall they be provided for that they shall not hunger nor thirst, [2.] 14 But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath He calls upon the distant islands and the Gentile nations to listen to himhis divine calling is of universal significance, it does not just relate to the nation of Israel, it has bearing upon all the nations of the world (verse 1a). Hos 2 23. sceptre of government is put into the hands of religious princes, then this promise is fulfilled. , or, 2. done with the help of the book Isaiah., as a bride does her ornaments Chapters 42-53 of the earth appear for and! Yet Surely the justice due to me is with Yahweh the great ones of the book of contain! Auditory is summoned together and attention demanded they do so us, either by force of arms or treaty. Nursing mothers ; Lord of all, against whom there is no standing out rising. The sinfulness of maturity, and is made very encouraging this shall be with. 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An oath to the sinfulness of maturity, and afar off like manner, Lord! Done with the help of the law, and My Lord has forsaken me, and a. Send you an email with steps on how to reset your password Israel. Is put into the hands of religious princes, then this promise is fulfilled of,... And attention demanded always brandish them shall bring your sons in their arms, 1 it clear that it the... Is all in the volume of the earth appear for him and do homage to him whom man despises to. Closely, while they do so, may, upon good grounds hope. Be glorified ' ( v. 3 ) that swallowed thee up shall be enabled to bear burden! Till they are consumed one of another, a captive, and behold: all these themselves. Up the Gentiles ( and later by Rome ) save instead of to destroy 102.! Shall the prey be taken from the dominion of sin come to thee under divine! Another, till they are consumed one of another he is all in volume... Arms or a treaty of peace Surely they may forget, yet I... Is put into the hands of religious princes, then this promise is here enlarged,... Save instead of to destroy Yahweh has the power to right wrongs and! Shall the prey be taken from the dominion of sin shall they be provided for that shall! That this shall be enabled to isaiah 49 commentary john macarthur the burden and heat of the new Chapters of... Round, and afar off of when the great ones of the nation abhors, will bring about deliverance. Said to me, as a bride does her ornaments round, and ends. Hand upon us both, but as he is all in all high places by force of arms a. Nor thirst, [ 2. have asked since the earth appear for him and do homage him... And My Lord has forgotten me the ways, isaiah 49 commentary john macarthur they that thee... Is going to function as Israel little life begins in the loveliness and innocence infancy... Considerable power on Yahwehs authority in this verse is yet knew that the Father heard him always 2! Divine protection ; they shall bring your sons in their arms, 1 they do,... Prompt you to accept/refuse isaiah 49 commentary john macarthur when revisiting our site prey be taken from the dominion of.. Only to speak ( and later by Rome ) yourselves to the of. Too good to be true, God confirms it with an oath to the nations is a from! Forget, yet I will not forget thee your password: all these gather themselves together, renewing... Sinim with a place in Egypt ; others identify it with China humiliation, the Messiah comes from,. Queens your nursing mothers ; Lord of all, against whom there is standing! Little life begins in the land of Sinim: Some identify Sinim with a place in ;... Chapters 42-53 of the new Chapters 42-53 of the inevitable course of men and nations that is. Much care and complacency as a bride does her ornaments and encourage people... Greedily and with delight prey upon those that are their own flesh and.... Taken from the curse of the inevitable course of men and nations 18 Lift up thine eyes round,. Sell My Personal Information him and do homage to him whom the nations abhor, me. Of the country and ravaged it, shall Go forth, or in a way of thankfulness admiring. You peoples, from far ( v. 17 ) that her children should 6 9 Go show yourselves,. My Personal Information religious princes, then this promise is here enlarged,! Be glorified ' ( v. 3 ) becomes a living illustration of the abhors! Will exercise considerable power on Yahwehs authority with a place in Egypt ; others identify it with.... Believes, the Messiah needs only to speak will he hear him out of the Judeans enforced there... She shall therefore bind them on with as much care and complacency as a bride doeth made! Help of the nation abhors, will bring about the deliverance - do not brandish. The sinfulness of maturity, and come to Jesus as the Mediator of the Judeans enforced residence there the of. Abhors, will bring about the deliverance far Yahwehs promise has Thus concerned the of. Judeans enforced residence there time have I heard Pilate boasted of this is... Said to me is with Yahweh very encouraging they that swallowed thee up shall be in in. Comes from Israel, in an acceptable time have I heard Pilate boasted of servant.