In the larger sense, it speaks of mercy and the provision of God for people as they return to Him in the last days, as they shall come from afar. Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; yet surely my just reward is with the LORD: The translators of the New King James do not believe these words belong in the mouth of the Messiah, because they do not capitalize the pronoun my, as they would if they believed it spoke of the Messiah. But Zion said, The LORD has forsaken me: In the midst of this great praise for the Messiah and His saving work, Zion speaking of the highest hill in Jerusalem, and the place of Gods people by association Zion objects. To Him whom the nation abhors, Though he exhorts and encourages all the godly to thanksgiving, yet he likewise aims at confirming the promise which might have been regarded as doubtful; for afflictions trouble our consciences, and cause them to waver in such a manner that it is not so easy to rest firmly on the promises of God. As the prophet spoke, he called on nature, personified, to rejoice (on the mountains rejoicing see 44:23). Nothing can furnish us with more convincing arguments to prove the most tender and affectionate concern God has for his church, and her interests and comforts. Bibliographical Information Clarke, Adam. 16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. He declares that the Lord has sovereignly chosen him and called him to be his servant (verse 1b). The reason of all this is. And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted. Transition: Isaiah 49-55 is a section within a section. 5 - 6 seem to distinguish the servant from . Romans 8:19-22). But, says God, I will not forget thee. Gives you the idea of the size of Israel. We are told that the word the goes forth out of his mouth is like a sharp, two-edged sword--Revelation. But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. That he has a constant care of his church and people (Isaiah 49:16; Isaiah 49:16): I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hands. And He said to me, 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. Though the promise seems too good to be true, God confirms it with an oath to the nations. They accused God of forsaking them. And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; i. Now He speaks here about the fact that He's going to bring them back again. In answer to Zion's fears, God speaks as one concerned for his own glory (he takes himself to be reflected upon if Zion say, The Lord has forsaken me, and he will clear himself), as one concerned also for his people's comfort; he would not have them droop, and be discouraged, and give way to any uneasy thoughts. Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, Please do not deface or discard. All of the Arab states that have been giving them such a bad time, they are planning to go full on against the Arab world. Price of gasoline will go down, price of raw materials will go down. (l) "pauperum suorum", V. L. "pauperes suos", Forerius; "inopes suos", Vitringa; "humiles", Sept. "mansuetorum", Targum. There is nothing in life no obstacle, no loneliness, no trial, no sorrow which may not be a way into Gods richest blessing. are without the yod or the conjunction vau before the verb: and so the Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate. But how shall we sing the Lord's songs in a strange land?" a. Isaiah 55:1-13 Commentary; Isaiah 56 Commentary. And in the day of salvation I have helped You; A woman, whose honour it is to be of the tender sex as well as the fair one, cannot but have compassion for a child, which, being both harmless and helpless, is a proper object of compassion. "Listen, O coastlands, to Me, And take heed, you peoples from afar! 2 He made my words as sharp as a sword. Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, But they are seeking to expand. Free Online Commentary. There I was, left alone; Isaiah 51:1-11 Reassurance of Israel's Future. This is rejoicing over deliverance from sin, not just exile. 49 Listen to me, distant nations, you people who live far away! And who in the world would object? And yet they are going to say, "The Lord has forsaken me." ; Place of Action: Jerusalem Golden Text: "Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages." (Isaiah 49:8). Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Verse Isaiah 49:13. Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. And he wilt have compassion on his poor. Break forth into singing, O mountains - "Ye mountains, burst forth into song"] Three ancient MSS. Verse Isaiah 49:13. was like a sharp sword. So that Israel is gathered to Him If you do that, then the mountain between you and Gods land of blessing becomes the way into it. (Redpath). Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Here, He commands the coastlands the distant lands of the Gentiles to listen to Him. Your destroyers and those who laid you waste Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been? 10 million Ukrainians without power because of Russia. e. I will make each of My mountains a road: The mountains in the way of the returning exiles both in near and far fulfillment would seem to defeat the purpose of the LORD. For your waste and desolate places, This is the third of our four lessons from Isaiah in our set of reflections on humanity's participation in God's new creation. Now even so, God is going to preserve the people of Israel. Moody Bible Commentary summarizes Isaiah 49:1-13. Her friends, who had deserted her, shall be gathered to her, and shall contribute their utmost to her assistance and comfort: Thy children shall make haste. And the prey of the terrible be delivered; All rights reserved. Which may be understood of the heavens, and the earth by a personification, a figure usual in Scripture, to express the greatness of the benefit received, and to raise thankfulness and admiration in the hearts of God's people; see Psalms 90:11 or by the heavens may be meant the angels in heaven, who, as they rejoice at the conversion of a single sinner, will much more rejoice at such numerous conversions among Jews and Gentiles, here prophesied of, Luke 15:10 and, by the "earth", the saints on earth, the excellent in it, who have a more immediate concern in, and must be affected with, the case here represented: and break forth into singing, O mountains; such as are in high office either in the state, as Christian kings and princes, Isaiah 49:23 or in the church, as prophets and apostles, Revelation 18:20. He's brought them back in the land. He kept me safe in his hand. Chapter 49Now in chapter 49, we have a fabulous prophecy of Jesus Christ in the first seven verses as God speaks of the Redeemer that He is sending. 49:15 This is a powerful metaphor of God's covenant love (cf. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. The place is too small for me; 49:16-17 This is another powerful metaphor of God's constant remembrance of His covenant with Abraham's descendants. And take heed, you peoples from afar! Who is speaking? The LORDs love and faithfulness for Zion are also shown by His promise for their future. God is always mindful of the condition of His people, despite the objections of a doubting Zion. They ignored God when he spoke to them through his servants the prophets. It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant Isaiah 49:2. (For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, By Christ the prince of this world, the great destroyer, is cast out, is dispossessed, has his power broken and his attempts quite baffled. The 5 Servant Songs of Isaiah are wonderful prophecies of the Messiah and His First Coming to mankind as a Servant. * [49:1-7] The second of the four "servant of the Lord" oracles (cf. He will receive the worship and honor He deserves, because He is the chosen of the LORD. ", Isaiah began this pericope by clarifying the calling and ministry of the Servant. The book of Isaiah contains 66 chapters divided into 39, and 27 the same way the Old and New Testament is divided. 49:14-16. Your children shall make haste; your destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee. It is beautiful to imagine Jesus comforting and strengthening His soul with these promises as He anticipated and endured the ordeal of the cross. Give me a place where I may dwell. God will show His strength and love for Zion by giving unto Babylon what Babylon gave unto Zion, even though they thought it unlikely, as shown by the question of Isaiah 49:24. i. Then I said, I have labored in vain, In His quiver He has hidden Me.. "Commentary on Isaiah 49:13". Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 Commentary; Isaiah 58 Commentary. Servant's call; the second, on his confidence. Note, God's compassions to his people infinitely exceed those of the tenderest parents towards their children. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy" ( Psalms 137:4-6 ). By this metaphor the Prophet shews that no obedience which is rendered to God by heaven and earth is more acceptable to him than to join together and lend their mutual aid to his Church. "Poor Fiji," the by-word of the nations, is become more Christian than the land that sent her Christ. He'll gather them from the north and from the west and from the east. Israel will return and rebuild its homeland. [ a] He made me like an arrow, sharp and ready for use. i. The whole problem that we're having here with inflation, our whole problem of economy is based to the increased oil prices. and appointed me to be his servant. 14 But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Chapters 13-27 : Historical Commentary on the Old Testament: forthcoming: Boda, Mark J. Isaiah: Story of God . Those from the north and the west, He declared that the Lord called him (49:1) and prepared him for his mission (49:2). He calls not only Israel to hear His voice, but the coastlands (islands) and distant peoples because His message is for all mankind. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. Break forth into singing, O mountains - "Ye mountains, burst forth into song"] Three ancient MSS. Whether exiled in Babylon or scattered in other places, the people will return home amid much rejoicing (11-13).Some of the Jews thought God had forgotten them. Can a woman forget her nursing child: Though bizarre accounts of unspeakable cruelty surface from time to time, everyone knows that a woman will never forget her nursing child.