Isaiah 49:1-50:3
Dear RTB’ers,
As the STS introduction reports, we are now moving away from a focus on Israel’s neighbors and oppressors: our “attention is turned to Israel’s glorious future”. Yes, it is a much easier read to see Israel being lifted up by this “servant”: And now the LORD says … “It is too light a thing that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nation, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (vv. 49:5a, 6b) That is, my sense is that the Lord is speaking of the exiles returning from captivity, but that this return is a small item compared to the outreach that Israel (or the “servant”) will have on the entire world.
OK, this “servant”… Early on we read that the servant is Israel: And he said to me, “You are My servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” (v. 49:3) However many scholars see these “servant” passages as referring to Jesus, the Messiah. The NASB and NKJV have all four uses of “Servant” capitalized (vv. 3, 5, 6, 7); their clear intent is that these “servant” passages are Messianic. Naturally, as John S. often suggests, it is up to us to make our own interpretation. However, my NASB Study Bible suggests that the entire passage from verses 1 to 13 refers to the Messianic Servant. Either way, with Israel as the servant or interpreting a Messianic Servant, today we read of Israel’s future glory, with the Lord’s deliverance and care for her especially prominent in the rest of today’s reading. Enjoy!
Blessings!
See also: August 22 (2023) / Isaiah 49-51.