Isaías 49:1-10

1 Oídme, islas, y escuchad, pueblos lejanos. El SEÑOR me llamó desde el vientre; desde las entrañas de mi madre tuvo mi nombre en memoria

2 Y puso mi boca como espada aguda, con la sombra de su mano me cubrió; y me puso por saeta limpia, me guardó en su aljaba

3 Y me dijo: Mi siervo eres, oh Israel, que en ti me gloriaré

4 Pero yo dije: Por demás he trabajado; en vano y sin provecho, he consumido mi fortaleza; mas mi juicio está delante del SEÑOR, y mi recompensa con mi Dios

5 Ahora pues, dice el SEÑOR, el que me formó desde el vientre para ser su siervo, para que se convierta a él a Jacob. Mas si Israel no se juntara, con todo, yo sin embargo estimado seré en los ojos del SEÑOR, y el Dios mío será mi fortaleza

6 Y dijo: Poco es que tú me seas siervo para despertar las tribus de Jacob, y para que restituyas los asolamientos de Israel; también te di por luz de los gentiles, para que seas mi salud hasta lo postrero de la tierra

7 Así dijo el SEÑOR, Redentor de Israel, Santo suyo, al menospreciado de alma, al abominado de los gentiles, al siervo de los tiranos: Verán reyes, y se levantarán príncipes, y adorarán por el SEÑOR, porque fiel es el Santo de Israel, el cual te escogió

8 Así dijo el SEÑOR: En hora de contentamiento te oí, y en el día de salud te ayudé; y te guardaré, y te daré por alianza de pueblo, para que despiertes la tierra, para que heredes asoladas heredades

9 Para que digas a los presos: Salid; y a los que están en tinieblas: Manifestaos. Sobre los caminos serán apacentados, y en todas las cumbres serán sus pastos

10 Nunca tendrán hambre, ni sed; ni el calor los afligirá, ni el sol; porque el que tiene de ellos misericordia, los guiará, y en manaderos de aguas los pastoreará

Isaías 49:1-10 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.