Messianic · Servant Song 2: salvation to the ends of the earth

Isaiah 49:1-13

Isaiah · ~700 BC · Status: Fulfilled · Confidence: 65% · Payne §Isa 99
“Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.”
King James Version · the opening — all 13 verses are below
More of Isaiah 49 on this siteIsaiah 49:6 · Isaiah 49:7 · Isaiah 49:8 · Isaiah 49:14-26

The second Servant Song — the Servant called from the womb, named 'Israel,' yet sent to restore Israel and be a light of salvation to the ends of the earth.

Read the whole passage — all 13 verses (KJV)

49:1Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

49:2And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

49:3And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

49:4Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.

49:5And 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.

49:6And 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.

49:7Thus 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.

49:8Thus 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;

49:9That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

49:10They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

49:11And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.

49:12Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.

49:13Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

Fulfillment References

Luke 2:32 Acts 13:47 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isaiah 42:1-7

How Traditions Read This Prophecy

Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalThe Servant who is God's 'salvation unto the end of the earth' is Jesus — the name Yeshua ('YHWH saves') embodying God's salvation; Simeon held Him as the light to the Gentiles (Luke 2:30-32).
JewishThe Servant is named 'Israel' (v.3); Judaism reads the nation as the servant called to be a light to the nations, gathered and glorified by God.
CatholicChrist the Servant, the true Israel, who restores His people and is salvation to the Gentiles (Luke 2:32).
ProtestantA key text: the Servant both IS 'Israel' (v.3) and is sent TO restore Israel (v.5-6) — resolved in Christ, the true Israel; Paul applies v.6 to the gospel mission (Acts 13:47).
OrthodoxChrist the light of the nations, fulfilling Israel's calling and extending salvation to all.
DispensationalThe Servant-Messiah who restores Israel and brings salvation to the Gentiles, in stages across His comings.
AcademicVerse 3 names the Servant 'Israel,' yet v.5-6 send him to restore Israel — the heart of the corporate-vs-individual Servant debate; many read an individual representing or embodying Israel.
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Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, D.Min. · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.