Isaías 49:1-7

El Siervo del SEÑOR

1 Escúchenme, costas lejanas,oigan esto, naciones distantes:El SEÑOR me llamó antes de que yo naciera,en el vientre de mi madre pronunció mi nombre.

2 Hizo de mi boca una espada afilada,y me escondió en la sombra de su mano;me convirtió en una flecha pulida,y me escondió en su aljaba.

3 Me dijo: «Israel, tú eres mi siervo;en ti seré glorificado».

4 Y respondí: «En vano he trabajado;he gastado mis fuerzas sin provecho alguno.Pero mi justicia está en manos del SEÑOR;mi recompensa está con mi Dios».

5 Y ahora dice el SEÑOR,que desde el seno materno me formópara que fuera yo su siervo,para hacer que Jacob se vuelva a él,que Israel se reúna a su alrededor;porque a los ojos del SEÑOR soy digno de honra,y mi Dios ha sido mi fortaleza:

6 «No es gran cosa que seas mi siervo,ni que restaures a las tribus de Jacob,ni que hagas volver a los de Israel,a quienes he preservado.Yo te pongo ahora como luz para las naciones,a fin de que lleves mi salvaciónhasta los confines de la tierra».

7 Así dice el SEÑOR,el Redentor y Santo de Israel,al despreciado y aborrecido por las naciones,al siervo de los gobernantes:«Los reyes te verán y se pondrán de pie,los príncipes te verán y se inclinarán,por causa del SEÑOR, el Santo de Israel,que es fiel y te ha escogido».

Isaías 49:1-7 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.