Tyndale Open Study NotesIsaiah 49

This is traditionally seen as the second of four songs about a suffering servant (see study note on Isaiah 42:1–4). The servant's role in suffering becomes clearer (see also Isaiah 50:4–9; 52:13–53:12).

God planned to rescue the Israelites from exile. But an important question remained. How could sinful Israel serve the Holy One again?

God would make a way to remove Israel’s sin. He would restore their fellowship with him. This means he would bring them back into a right relationship with himself.

The way would be through the promised Servant. This Servant would come for Israel and for all nations. He was first introduced in Isaiah 42:1–9. n this passage, he becomes the main focus.

• O distant peoples: The servant's work would not be limited to Israel. His ministry would reach people in faraway nations (see Isaiah 42:4, 10, 12; 51:5; 60:9; 66:19).

• called Me from the womb … He named Me: The promised servant's prophetic call was like Jeremiah's call (see Jeremiah 1:5; see also Galatians 1:15). It was not a general call but a very specific, personal one (see also Isaiah 43:1; 45:3–4).

My mouth: The servant's mission would be prophetic (see Isaiah 11:4; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16; 2:12, 16; 19:15).

The suffering servant would emerge from Israel (see Isaiah 41:8) and would be the true Israel. He would serve as both king (Isaiah 42:1) and prophet (Isaiah 49:1). He would be anointed with the Spirit of God (Isaiah 61:1). God would appoint him (Isaiah 48:16) as a faithful witness to God's plans (43:12; 48:20).

In his mission to both Israel and other nations (Isaiah 49:6), the suffering servant would face rejection and disgrace while remaining faithful, unlike the nation of Israel (see Isaiah 50:4–9). His suffering would be for the sake of God's chosen people.

Jesus became the ultimate fulfillment of the suffering servant (see study note on Isaiah 52:13–53:12).

• I have labored in vain: Even though people stubbornly refuse his message, the servant will still reach out to them.

• My vindication is with the LORD: Despite discouragement and suffering, the servant will continue to perform his duty faithfully, trusting God for the outcome. God promised to reward the servant’s faithfulness (see also Isaiah 40:10; 50:8).

a light for the nations: As the Messiah (God's chosen one), the servant's mission would reach the entire world (see Isaiah 11:10, 12; 42:6). The apostle Paul explained his mission to the Gentiles based on this prophecy (Acts 13:47; 26:23).

• The promised servant will be disliked and rejected by the nations (see Isaiah 52:14–53:5) and by his own people (see also 50:6–7; 53:8–9).

• Kings and princes will bow low to show respect and humility to the servant (see also Isaiah 52:15). God will lift him up after he suffers. God is loyal to his servant.

God acts at the right time to achieve his goals (Acts 1:7; 2 Corinthians 6:2). Israel returned to rebuild the land of Israel after the exile in Babylon. The land was restored, and the city was rebuilt, starting with Cyrus’s decree (Isaiah 44:26–28).

• Like a shepherd, the Lord in his mercy will guide the returning exiles beside cool waters. He promised to comfort them and meet their needs (see also Isaiah 40:11; Psalm 23:1).

• roads … highways: The Lord would open up the way of salvation.

The remnant would come from the north (that is, Babylon and Persia), from the west by sea, and from as far south as Egypt.

This hymn of praise is in response to the salvation that the servant would make possible.

The prophet gave reasons to rejoice (Isaiah 49:8–13), but the exiles still thought about the disaster. Babylon invaded, destroyed Jerusalem, and took the people of Judah into exile. There, they felt abandoned and forgotten.

as jewelry and put them on like a bride: Just as a wedding is festive and public, God's restoration of Israel would be visible to everyone (see also Isaiah 61:10).

• The population growth would extend beyond Israel to include people from other nations who turn to the Lord (see Isaiah 56:6–8; Revelation 7:9).

• make room: The increased population would need space far beyond Israel's traditional borders (see also Zechariah 2:4).

bring your sons … carry your daughters: The powerful rulers of the nations, some of whom had once harmed children in Israel, would help them return to Zion (see also Isaiah 60:3–9). In other parts of Isaiah, he imagined people from foreign nations coming to Zion to worship the Lord (see Isaiah 2:2–4).

• you will know that I am the LORD: The surprising role reversal, with kings and queens serving the humble exiles upon their return, will show God's power to do the unimaginable (see also Isaiah 60:16).

• The godly will face temporary disgrace during the exile in Babylon but would not ultimately be put to shame, as the idolaters and ungodly were.

be snatched … be delivered: The people considered it nearly impossible that they would be rescued from their oppressors.

The Lord is like a warrior who fights to protect his children, as promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:3; see also Isaiah 54:15).