Second Week of Advent: Thursday

A SERVANT BRINGS SALVATION

Isaiah 49:1-7

Listen to me, you islands;
hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the LORD called me;
from my birth he has made mention of my name.
He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,[1]
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow[2]
and concealed me in his quiver.
He said to me, "You are my servant,
Israel, in whom I will display my splendor."
But I said, "I have labored to no purpose;
I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.[3]
Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand,
and my reward is with my God."[4]

And now the LORD says--
he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
and gather Israel to himself,[5]
for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD
and my God has been my strength--

He says:
"It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."[6]

This is what the LORD says--
the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel--
to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation,
to the servant of rulers:
"Kings will see you and rise up,
princes will see and bow down,
because of the LORD, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."

(NIV)

1. The servant conquers through preaching.
2. His words are effective.
3. The servant's complaint is fulfilled in Christ's rejection and suffering.
4. Vindicated and rewrded after his death and resurrection.
5. One purpose of the servant is to reconcile the Jews with God.
6. He will bring the gospel to the nations.
Today the ascended Christ brings the gospel to the nations through his body, the church. (Matt. 28:18-20; 1 Peter 2:9,10)
 
*Notes are based on those in the New Geneva Study Bible™ Copyright © 1995 by Foundation for Reformation.