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Chapters 49-50
by Samuel E. Ward
Introduction
VI. God's Message Concerning His People's Future, Isa 40-66
In each of the remaining major sections of Isaiah (Isaiah 40-48, 49-57, and 58-66) a different aspect of God's character is emphasized relative to His redeeming Israel, bringing salvation to the Gentiles, and exercising judgment upon the earth. In the first section the emphasis is upon the fact that Jehovah is . . .
A. The Sovereign God, Isa 40-48
As the sovereign God working His plan for Israel, God is seen with a number of attributes that underscore His sovereignty but also say much about what kind of God He is. Those who place their trust in Him and obey His law experience blessing. Those who do not undergo judgment.
These characteristics of the sovereign God have been noted in Isaiah chapters 40-48.
1. The Comforting God, Isa 40
2. The Reigning God, Isa 41
3. The Servant God, Isa 42
4. The Gracious God, Isa 43
5. The Only God, Isa 44
6.The Delegating God , Isa 45:1-7
7. The Only Saving God, Isa 45:14-25
8. The Superior God, Isa 46:1-13
9. The Avenging God, Isa 47
10. The Prophetic God, Isa 48
The next major section relates to . . .
B. The Suffering Servant, Isaiah 49-57
1. The Mission of the Servant, Isaiah 49
a. The preordained call of the Servant, Isaiah 49:1
Isaiah 49:1 (NIV)1Listen 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.
b. The preparation of the Servant, Isaiah 49:2
Isaiah 49:2 (NIV) 2He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.
c. The plan for the Servant, Isaiah 49:3
Isaiah 49:3 (NIV)3He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor."
d. The previous ministry of the Servant, Isaiah 49:4
Isaiah 49:4 (NIV)4But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God."
e. The passionate global call, Isaiah 49:5-13
1) To include (Israel), Isaiah 49:5-6a
Isaiah 49:5-6a (NIV)5And 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, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength—6ahe 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.
2) To extend to the Gentiles, Isaiah 49:6b
Isaiah 49:6b (NIV)6bI will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."
f. The promises to the Servant, Isaiah 49:7-13
1) The promise of reverence from the rulers of the world,
Isaiah 49:7
Isaiah 49:7 (NIV)7This 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."
2) The promise of restoring His people to their land, Isaiah 49:8-13 (49:8)
Isaiah 49:8 (NIV)8This is what the LORD says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances.
g. The problem of discouragement, Isaiah 49:14.
Isaiah 49:14 (NIV)14But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."
h. The pronouncement of loving compassion, Isaiah 49:15-26
1) God has not forgotten His people, Isaiah 49:15-16.
Isaiah 49:15-16 (NIV)15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
2) His people will not be left barren and homeless, Isaiah 49:17-21. (49:19)
Isaiah 49:19 (NIV)19 "Though you were ruined and made desolate and your land laid waste, now you will be too small for your people, and those who devoured you will be far away.
3) The Gentiles will serve those whom they had made servants, Isaiah 49:22-26a. (49:23)
Isaiah 49:23 (NIV)23Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed."
4) All mankind will know that Jehovah is Israel's Savior, Redeemer, and Mighty One, Isaiah 49:24-26b. (49:25-26)
Isaiah 49:25-26 (NIV)25But this is what the LORD says: "Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.
26I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."
2. The Submission of the Servant, Isa 50
a. The Lord's people have rebelliously separated themselves from the Lord, Isa 50:1-3. (50:2)
Isaiah 50:2 (NIV)2When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.
b. The Lord's Servant has obediently submitted to the Lord's remedy, Isa 50:4-10
1) He has been instructed in the Lord's word, Isa 50:4-5.
Isaiah 50:4-5 (NIV)4The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. 5The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.
2) He has submitted to the suffering that will save, Isa 50:6-9. (50:6-7)
Isaiah 50:6-7 (NIV)6I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. 7Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.
c. The Lord's people have only two choices, Isa 50:10-11.
1) Trust and rely in the light of God's redemption, Isa 50:10.
Isaiah 50:10 (NIV)10Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.
2) Trade the light for darkness and torment, Isa 50:11.
Isaiah 50:11 (NIV)11But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.
