The past year on both the international and local front is turbulent. We read of war and murders. We are in a period of economic uncertainties. The year can feel like there has been a lot of turmoil. It can be difficult to find joy and hope. Joy and hope is being spoken of around Christmas, but it can be hard.
Passages like the one we have in Isaiah 49, pull us out of our worries and tether our joy to something that can never be lost and can never die.
As a brief recap, in Isaiah 49:1-7, we delved into one of the “Servant Songs” and were introduced to the Servant of the LORD in the context of the Babylonian exile that Israel was suffering. We were introduced to a Servant, who the LORD chooses, empowers and uses to bring about the redemption of God’s people
This Servant we learned, was Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who comes with great power and authority. The Servant brings with him redemption for Israel, but finds that he is despised and abhorred by the nations Israel refers to the Servant in that section and Zion therefore refers to the nation of Israel in this section
(A) A LORD who delivers and restores is a God of joy (Isa 49:8-13)
In Isaiah 49:8-10, we see that the LORD is speaking to the Servant. The word “thus” in Isaiah 49:8 ties this passage in with what we learned last week. “In a time of favour” and a “day of salvation” means a specific time, when the LORD has decided to show His goodness — in that day, He has answered His servant and helped him. It is clear that the Servant is an integral part of this time of favour and day of salvation. The Servant is a man of prayer since God will answer him.
The LORD guarantees that he will “keep” the Servant – which means that he will sustain the Servant and will also give the Servant as a “covenant to the people to establish the land” and “apportion the desolate heritages”. This is phrased with absolute certainty, there is no doubt as to whether this will occur.
The Servant will himself be a covenant to the people (Isa 49:8b). This means that be a covenant man, he himself is the covenant, unlike other prophets who came before and merely speak about the covenant. He is himself the covenant means to salvation. Note that this covenant is given by the LORD. The Servant will establish the land (a blessing of security and enjoyment) and apportion the desolate heritages (even the deserted and uninhabited lands will be within the land that the Servant is establishing).
He will also call out prisoners and to say to those in darkness “appear” (Isa 49:9a). This is a picture of liberation from those who are trapped in captivity and darkness. They shall feed along the ways and on all bare heights shall be their pasture, they shall not hunger or thirst, no scorching wind or sun will strike them because he who has pity on them will lead them and by springs of water he will guide them (Isa 49:9b). The people of Israel were not strangers to the idea that coming to God was often a journey. For example, the Exodus and wandering in the wilderness. This shows us that in the journey of returning to God, which the Servant will bring, there will be provision and protection and guardianship (Isa 49:10). They will be protected from inner weaknesses (like hunger and thirst) and external threats too. This smooth and comfortable journey is so only because they are led by the Servant guides and leads them. This Servant who “has pity” on them, showing that he is one that isn’t just a leader, but one who cares, one who is compassionate and caring.
We see that this is not a smooth journey because they are good or they are lucky. Rather, it’s because of the one who is leading them on this journey. This is not just a smart leader, but is one who is compassionate and has pity (Isa 49:10b)!
In Isaiah 49:11-12, the LORD speaks here and sovereignly declares that He will manage this entire journey. Even high mountains that seem insurmountable, will be made a road. Notice how the mountains are referred to as “my mountains”. This is God the Creator, who can do as He pleases with nature — there is no obstacle to Him. The highways, which are man-made roads are the LORD’s too, and he can raise them up to assist with the journey, for nothing is an obstacle to Him. Distance is also not a consideration – they come from anywhere. This return will be from afar, and even from lands that people are not familiar with , the land of Syene (Isa 49:12). People are not exactly sure where this land is, but that may in fact be the point that Isaiah was trying to make. Even from lands unknown or obscure, people will come. The Lord will ensure that they are brought back smoothly!
This is what the Servant will do and nothing can stop Him!
A response is called from the people. All are summoned to sing and Isaiah 49:13 gives us a picture of joy and celebration of what the LORD has done. The heavens, the earth, the mountains are called to sing – it is a holistic, extensive and all encompassing call. All creation is called to join in in this worship and singing for what God has done. What He has done has been covered in Isaiah 49:8-12 and it’s summarised here — because the LORD has comforted His people and will have compassion on His afflicted.
The Servant ushers in salvation, covenant blessings and joy to his people – who are afflicted otherwise
Here, it is very clear that the Servant, who himself is the covenant of salvation, ushers in liberation and security and protection that nothing can compare to. This Servant is the LORD’s sovereign and mighty means of bringing about the return of His people. This comfort and compassion that the LORD has is meant to cause singing and joy.
To exiles, to those living under the rule of another, this meant a great deal. It means the undoing of their great suffering, it meant the righting of so many wrongs. That, of course, should lead to joy and singing.
We too are exiles from the Lord. We too, need to be brought back to Him. Jesus is also our good and compassionate Servant who brings us back to God! These verses cause us to think about what we rejoice in, and whether we sing for joy because we have been brought back to this God!
We are swiftly approaching Christmas, which is one of the most joyous times in the year. It is a time when work slows, and when people rejoice for various reasons. These verses cause us to ask, whether we truly understand the good work that Jesus Christ does for us, whether that is our source of hope and joy, or whether there is sin that we love and rejoice in instead. As we reach the year end, people rejoice in holidays, long period of leave and trips, they rejoice in year-end bonuses or parties. It is so easy to rejoice in worldly things. Our hearts are very tunnel visioned. When we love something, we quickly forget about other things. When we love and cherish and rejoice in the things of this world, we tend to lost sight of the beauty and joy that Jesus brings us.
Here we are reminded, that the true reason to sing and rejoice, is in Jesus Christ, the Servant of the LORD. In Luke 12:34, Jesus Himself teaches us that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. What we treasure and love will drive us. It will drive how we spend our time, money and efforts. Isaiah 49 shows us that what we ought to rejoice in is the good news of this good Servant. What do we rejoice in? We have in Jesus, joy beyond anything the world could ever offer
(B) A short-sighted people and a God who never forgets (Isa 49:14-21)
Zion responds to the good news by complaining that the LORD has forgotten him and forsaken him (Isa 49:14). Note the use of LORD here, which is the covenantal name of God. Why did Zion think it had been forsaken and forgotten? Because of their present circumstances – in exile, under Babylonian rule.
The main issue is that Zion had made a conclusion about an eternal God based on present circumstances. Their current realities and their own ideas of what is good coloured their view of the LORD.
We feel that too. So easily, how our lives currently are, colour how we think about God. When things are going well – God is a good God, a loving one that is deserving of praise. When things go badly, we think otherwise. It is so easy for us to judge God based on our circumstances too. We may be shocked by Zion’s response here, but we easily identify with this! When things go well, it’s easy for us to praise Him. But when things don’t, it’s easy for us to respond like Zion!
The Bible engages with this, it is not afraid to show that God’s people doubt His plans, purposes and promises — and we now turn to the LORD’s response
In Isaiah 49:15-18, Zion is rebuked yet, God doesn’t respond as sharply as Zion’s accusation! The LORD responds gently, kindly and compassionately. The first image here is that of a mother nursing her child, a mother would never forget her child, the son of her womb, she will always have compassion on him (Isa 49:15). How would you describe this? A nursing mother is always attending to her child and is physically, and emotionally connected with her child. This is one of the closest, most caring relationships that we know of. Here, we are told that God’s remembrance, compassion and love is even greater than that!
In Isaiah 49:16a, we see that God has his people (Zion’s name) engraved on the palms of his hands. Note that it is not written but engraved — carved in, permanent. This further emphasis the idea that they will not be forgotten. This is how much God will remember them!
The walls of Zion (the state of Zion) are continually (always) before Him (Isa 48:16b). In Isaiah 49:17-18, we also see that those who build will make haste. In contrast, those who destroy or lay to waste will go out from Zion. This is because, many will be coming to Zion. Zion is called to lift up its eyes and see this. The LORD declares that as long as He lives (which is forever), they shall put them on as an ornament and bind them on as a bride does. The bride metaphor brings out that this will be a beautiful thing for the people of Zion. This is a picture of a spiritual reality, of people returning to the LORD as the fruit of divine salvation and redemption. These souls that are brought are their pride and joy and beauty. This is what God will do to a Zion that is languishing now.
So what we see in this section, is a Zion that is (in a very natural and human way) fixated on its present troubles and circumstances, which lead Zion to believe that God doesn’t care. To this, we have a sharp rebuke which shows that God cares, He in fact cares and remembers more deeply than we can even know
We have the promise that this God who remembers, will turn things around for desolate, pained and oppressed Zion — to turn Zion into a place of beauty and pride in the return of people to the LORD.
In Isaiah 49:19, we see how Zion, which was once a place with waste and desolated places and devastated land, will be so full of these gathering people that it will not have space for them. Even taking into account the desolate, unliveable places, Zion will be too small. Those who swallow up (pose danger to) will be far away.
From Isaiah 49:21, we understand Zion’s state, bereaved, barren and exiled, with no hopes of children, continuity and blessing. In exile and captivity, this is the spirit of Zion. Here, in Babylonian captivity, Zion is hopeless. That is why Isaiah 49:20 is surprising for Zion. There are children of bereavement (meaning grief, loss) who come and say that Zion does not have enough room for them – these are not biological children – for Zion asks who bore me these? Instead, these are children that are brought by the Servant, even in and through the grief and loss that Zion suffers.
Children symbolise continuity, life and blessing. The deliverance and blessing that the LORD brings is beyond what Zion can even hope for in its despair. He will usher in a kind of family that isn’t bound by blood, but by the Servant. There will be an abundance of children such that they cannot fit
Through the Servant, God will do more for Zion than it can even imagine. Turning its sorrow and despair into restoration, joy and gladness, that shocks Zion, that Zion cant even make sense of . This is possible only through the work of the Servant!
We too, are often like Zion. Our present circumstances often dictate how we feel about God. We often look at our present circumstances and think, God must have forgotten me. When health fails and starts to fall apart, when career collapses, when we run into financial difficulty, when we encounter difficulties in our relationships with family, friends or even in church. We easily think, God must have forgotten me. The proof of love that God expresses in Isaiah 49 is this, that they are graven on His hands. The proof of love and remembrance for us it this, that his hands were pierced for us
For us, we have our Saviour Jesus Christ, the surest demonstration of God’s remembrance and restoration. Isaiah 53:5 speaks of a Jesus who is pierced for our transgressions. John 20:19-29 Jesus appears, post resurrection and shows the disciples and Thomas his wounds – the nail pierced hands that remain, a sign of how much he loved them.
If you ever wonder, has God forgotten me? Come back to, the nail pierced hands of love, that belong to one that loved you enough to suffer and die on a Roman cross.
If you ever think, maybe God has forsaken me, come to the one who was truly forsaken on the cross. Mark 15:34 records for us His cry, “My God my God, why have you forsaken me?”. He was the one who was forsaken on the cross, so that we never will be.
Practically, what this means is great and lasting security. There is no circumstance in life where we are ever alone. For God loves and remembers us always.
(C) A sovereign LORD who effectively saves for His name’s sake (Isa 49:22-26)
In Isaiah 49:22, we have another picture of the family gathering. It is a picture of God’s sovereignty that is so great, He will bend every power on earth to work for this family gathering and for the good of Zion. In this verse, the LORD will lift up his hand and raise a signal to the peoples. Then, they will bring forth the family. No persuasion needed, God signals and they do.
The mere lifting of God’s hand and raising of the signal causes all the world to obey and bring about the gathering. They will carry sons in their arms and daughters on their shoulders – these children that come wont even have to walk themselves. They will be carried.
Continuing on this idea in Isaiah 49:23, everyone from kings to queens will submit. Kings and queens will be foster fathers and nursing mothers — shows that even the mighty of the world will succumb to the LORD’s will and bring the family together. They will bow and lick the dust of Zion’s feet – showing how total the LORD’s sovereignty will be, it will force even the mighty to embarrassment and shame. This is all done so that the people of Zion will know that God is the LORD and that those who wait on Him will never be put to shame. Not that they feel superior in any way
Isaiah 49:24 poses rhetorical questions where typically the answer would be no, but here because of how mighty the LORD is, the answer is yes, as will be elaborated on in the next verses. Typically the answer is no, unless a mightier one comes or a stronger one
Isaiah is trying to show us in Isaiah 49:25-26 that no matter how mighty the powers of the world may be, they are never mightier than the LORD. The LORD is always the superior force. The LORD rescues captives, and prey from the powers that be. The LORD will contend, contest, battle, fight and overcome those who contend with His people, He will save their children and cause oppressors to eat their own flesh.
The Servant is not just a leader and carer, he will also fight for those who are the LORD’s people. There is active protection here. The end of this all, is so that all the world would know that the LORD is the Saviour of Zion and the Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
The end goal of God’s work is His glory. The great emphasis of this chapter has been on the movement of Zion, whether Zion’s sons or the nations – a picture of blessing and restoration and hope. At the same time, those who resist the LORD’s ways and oppose Him will face great consequences – death and suffering as part of divine justice. All flesh – all mankind will recognise this, not just those that are saved and brought back.
The end goal of the LORD’s deliverance and mighty acts is so that everyone will rightly know who He is, a personal saving God who identifies with his people and redeems them. Our Saviour is one who rescues them from their trouble. Our Redeemer is one that buys them back
We are presented with a mighty, powerful and sovereign LORD in these closing verses. An unstoppable LORD, who does mighty acts so that all the world will know that he is the LORD, and that those who trust in Him and wait for him, will never be shamed.
First, that is a humbling thought. We live in an individualistic culture where everything is about me. My wants and needs and glory. Here, we see that while God loves His people very much, in the end, its all about His glory for He is indeed, the LORD.
Second, we are also comforted. We are comforted because we see that those that wait for the LORD will never be put to shame. They will never be disappointed.
Final justice is given here against oppressors. They are crushed and shamed and bloodied, because they have done evil. That is also what Jesus brings us. Acts 17:31 tells us that Jesus is appointed by God to judge the living and the dead and one day, he will. Matthew 16:27 tells us that the Son of Man will come one day and repay each according to what he has done.
Are you waiting for the LORD? Do you find it difficult? We often struggle with that as we suffer and face injustice in the world. But the promise here is that those who wait on the LORD are never put to shame. For He will come one day, in His perfect time, and through Jesus, will right every wrong – doing final and eternal justice. All we need to do, is confidently wait for God will ensure His justice is done.