Isaiah 49:5-7
5And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. 6And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
7Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
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, 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.” 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.”
Isaiah contains a number of brief references to a servant (41:8-9; 42:19; 43:10; 44:1-2, 21, 26; 45:4; 48:20). In addition there are four major passages (42:1-9; 49:1-6; 50:4-10; 52:13–53:12). It is helpful in understanding these middle chapters of Isaiah to look at them through the Servant’s eyes. What are the characteristics of a servant?
Israel, the servant chosen by God (41:8-9), failed to realize that one who receives God’s grace becomes an agent of grace. Missing this meaning of the covenant, Israel, with haughty disdain, stubbornly chose a lifestyle of selfishness and wickedness. Now Isaiah introduced a Servant who was totally unlike Israel, a Servant who would pick up the shambles of the unfinished task and would redeem not only Israel but all mankind.
By Lawrence Richards
