Isaia 49:7-17

7 Così ha detto il Signore, il Rendentore d’Israele, il suo Santo, a colui ch’è sprezzato della persona, ed abbominevole alla nazione, al servo di quelli che signoreggiano: I re ti vedranno, e si leveranno; i principi ancora, e s’inchineranno; per cagion del Signore, ch’è fedele, del Santo d’Israele, che ti ha eletto.

8 Così ha detto il Signore: Io ti ho esaudito nel tempo della benevolenza, e ti ho aiutato nel giorno della salute; anche ti guarderò, e ti darò per patto del popolo, per ristabilir la terra, per far possedere le eredità desolate;

9 per dire a’ prigioni: Uscite, ed a quelli che sono nelle tenebre: Mostratevi. Essi pastureranno in su le vie, ed il lor pasco sarà sopra ogni luogo elevato.

10 Non avranno fame, nè sete; e l’arsura ed il sole non li percoterà; perciocchè colui che ha misericordia di loro li condurrà, e li menerà alle fonti delle acque.

11 Ed io ridurrò tutti i miei monti in cammini, e le mie strade saranno rilevate.

12 Ecco, gli uni verranno da lontano; ed ecco, gli altri verranno dal Settentrione, e dall’Occidente; e gli altri dal paese de’ Sinei.

13 Giubilate, o cieli; e tu, terra, festeggia; e voi, monti, risonate grida di allegrezza; perciocchè il Signore ha consolato il suo popolo, ed ha avuta pietà de’ suoi poveri afflitti.

14 Or Sion ha detto: Il Signore mi ha abbandonata, ed il Signore mi ha dimenticata.

15 Dimenticherà la donna il suo figliuolino che poppa, per non aver pietà del figliuol del suo seno? ma, avvegnachè le madri dimenticassero i lor figliuoli, non però ti dimenticherò io.

16 Ecco, io ti ho scolpita sopra le palme delle mani; le tue mura son del continuo nel mio cospetto.

17 I tuoi figliuoli verranno in fretta; e quelli che ti distruggevano, e disertavano, usciranno fuor di te.

Isaia 49:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 49

This is a prophecy concerning Christ, and redemption by him; and of the enlargement of the church in the latter day, by the conversion of Jews and Gentiles; which the isles, and people afar off, are exhorted to listen and hearken to, delivered out by the prophet, in the person of Christ; who gives an account of his call to his office, and the time of it; of what the Lord did for him, and said unto him, Isa 49:1-3, then follows a complaint of his labouring in vain, and a correction of it, Isa 49:4 and a further declaration of his call and appointment to office, and of each of the parts of the work assigned him, with encouragement to it, Isa 49:5,6. Christ is again represented under discouraging circumstances, as despised of men, abhorred by the nation, and a servant of rulers; who is encouraged by divine promises that kings should rise up before him, and worship him; that God would be faithful to his promise to him, and yet choose him, hear and help him, at a proper time; preserve him, and give him for a covenant to the people, to the establishment of the earth, and making it habitable, Isa 49:7,8 for the release of prisoners, and feeding, leading, and guiding them, and removing all difficulties out of the way, Isa 49:9-11 when the calling of the Gentiles is foretold, which would occasion great joy in the world, Isa 49:12,13 yet the church is introduced as complaining that she was forsaken of God, Isa 49:14 which is denied, and the contrary affirmed; being dear to the Lord as a sucking child to its mother, and more so; never forgotten by him, and always under his care, Isa 49:16, and, for her comfort, she is assured that those who had destroyed and made her waste should be removed; and that she should have converts that would be an ornament to her, and these numerous, insomuch that the place of their habitation would be too strait and narrow, and which would be matter of astonishment to her, Isa 49:17-21 and, besides those that would be converted in the land of Judea, there would be great numbers in the Gentile world converted by the power of God accompanying his Gospel, set up as a standard there, kings and queens countenancing and encouraging the interest of Christ, Isa 49:22,23 and yet still it is questioned whether the church should be delivered from her oppressors, Isa 49:24 to which it is answered, that she should be delivered, and her persecutors destroyed; by which it would be known that the Lord is the Redeemer and Saviour of his people, Isa 49:25,26.