Isaiah 49
-Salvation’s message will be
delivered by the Messiah from Israel to all the ends of the earth. Jesus (God
saves) was called from the womb in His incarnation. His mouth was made like a
sword to discern and judge the very intentions of the heart. He was concealed
His first time around on the earth as the lowly Servant King who sacrificed His
life as an atonement for the sins of mankind. He was a select arrow into the
heart of the evil one, Satan. His work as a Servant would be the glory of
Israel. His work can never be considered vain or for nothing as some would
speculate. The justice due Him is with the LORD of grace and mercy, and He
rewards His anointed. He gathers the nations and is honored with God as His
strength. He raises up and restores Israel, and He is a Light to the nations
for salvation. The LORD is faithful to accomplish this as Redeemer and the Holy
One to the despised One, the suffering Servant who has been chosen (Isaiah
49:1-7). In the day of salvation the LORD has answered and helped. He will keep
His righteous ones giving the Christ as a covenant of the people to restore the
land and make them an inheritance even of the desolate places. Along the roads
they will feed and their pasture will be on the bare heights of mountains. They
will not hunger or have thirst, and the scorching sun and heat will not have
its effect on them. The God of compassion will lead them and guide them to
springs of water (Living Water). All the mountains will be a road, and His
highways will be lifted up as His people come from afar, even the north and
west and south from Sinim (southern Egypt). This will cause shouting for joy
and great rejoicing in the heavens and the earth, “for the LORD has comforted
His people and will have compassion on His afflicted (Isaiah 49:8-13).”
*Application* God will not forget us who have trusted solely in Him for our
salvation. He is compassionate and gracious, even to the whole world who will
turn to Him for forgiveness and His righteousness. Look to Jesus, Israel and
all the nations of the world!
-Zion, in its desperation,
believed sincerely that the LORD has forsaken and forgotten them, but God
reassures them that this is not the case. He will never forget them. He has
inscribed them on the palms of His Hands; Zion’s walls are continually before
Him. The nations will eventually come to them and adorn them with jewels and
bind them on as a bride. The place will become packed with people to the point
of overcrowding. The LORD’s Hand will be lifted to the nations and His standard
will be set up to the peoples. They will come from everywhere back to the land.
Kings of the earth will be their guardians, and princesses will nurse them as
they bow down before the Holy One of Israel knowing that He is the LORD. He
says, “Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame (Isaiah
49:14-23).” In the end, God promises to contend with those who contend with His
people. He will save their sons. He will feed their oppressors with their own
flesh. These oppressors will become drunk with their own blood as with sweet
wine; “and all flesh will know, that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your
Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob (Isaiah 49:24-26).” *Application* God will
absolutely rescue His people. Count on it. Don’t grow weary in well-doing. God
is always on the throne and will redeem all of your struggles for His sake.
Verse to Memorize: Isaiah 49:6
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