God Comforts
Isaiah 49:1–13
Included (1–4)
As with other parts of the Old Testament, this section refers to Israel but also points to Jesus. Israel was to be a kingdom of priests on behalf of the nations.
The job of a priest is to go to God on behalf of the people, and Israel was to fulfill this function by representing God properly, being a light to the nations so all peoples could see God and worship Him. Ultimately, Israel failed to carry this out, but the work would reach its grand fulfillment in Christ.
As shown in Isaiah 49:1, “The Lord called me before I was born. He named me while I was in my mother’s womb.” Before Jesus was born to Mary, the Lord had already chosen Him for this purpose, to glorify God the Father.
The encouragement for the believer should not go unnoticed here. Not only is this Scripture clearly fulfilled in Christ, which gives us a confidence in God’s prophecy, but it also shows us that we were part of God’s redemptive plan from the beginning.
Called (5–7)
This section is clearly referring to a specific figure rather than the nation of Israel, which of course is Christ, the servant. This servant will lead His people back to God, a fact fulfilled in the Gospels.
Time and again we can see Jesus restoring people’s faith in God by forgiving them of their sins, healing them of their ills and taking care of their needs. Further, Jesus is a light to the nations, which we see as He ministers to both Jews and Gentiles, taking His ministry to all people and emphasizing that God’s love and salvation is not dependent on race or national identity.
Finally, the servant will be despised, which again is fulfilled in how the religious leaders treated Jesus and how He was crucified.
As believers, we still take part in God’s ministry. The ministry of Jesus did not end with His ascension. His ministry is carried on in the Church today. As such, we are called to glorify God in how we live and act, carrying out the Great Commission as we live our lives and go about our business. We must remember that the Great Commission is not just taking the gospel to all nations, but it is also about discipling believers.
This is often an overlooked aspect of the Great Commission in which believers focus on international missions while neglecting to share the gospel where they live to help to build up the body.
Each of us has a specific calling, as Paul mentions, for example, in Romans 12:3–8. Some Christians are evangelists and need to evangelize, others are teachers and need to teach; and some are called to give generously.
All of us must do what God has called us to do, and we can’t be jealous or resentful with what God has gifted us. Just as a football team needs both a quarterback and a punter, who does not get nearly as much glory as the quarterback, the body of Christ needs people to perform all the functions of the Church.
Vindicated (8–13)
Here Isaiah is referring to the captives returning from Babylon and the care and love the Lord has for His people.
But this not only refers to the Israelites from their time of captivity. It also refers to God’s love for us. All the promises God gives to His people in these verses refer to believers.
Isaiah mentions how people will come from far away (some translators believe Isaiah refers to China in these verses) which signify how the peoples of the nations will hear the gospel and respond.
This gives us a mission today! How are the peoples of the world to hear the gospel? Simple. Believers must take the message there.
The Great Commission is how God works to take the gospel to the nations, and it is our job to do our part — either by going globally ourselves or supporting those who do. Each of us has a job to do according to his or her calling.
By Robert L. Olsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
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