Isaiah 49

1. Listen, O isles, unto Me. The message of God’s Israel (3) to the world; and in its highest sense the language of the Messiah as the spiritual Deliverer both of Jews and Gentiles.

My name. Israel: a prince with God, prophetic of the nation’s calling and destiny. There may also be an allusion to the names of the Messiah;—Immanuel, “God with us,” Jesus, “He shall save”; see Matt. i. 21 and Heb. v. 5.

2. My mouth. i.e., “my speech,” or teaching.

4. Then I said, etc. The accomplishment of the Divine design begins in apparent failure. “Israel” seems far from accomplishing its destiny. Even Christ in His ministry would be despised and rejected (comp. ver. 7 with liii. 3). But notwithstanding this, His rightful claim (“judgement”) would be maintained by the Eternal, with whom also “His work” (i.e., “recompence,” as R.V.) would be secure.

5. Though Israel be not gathered. The true reading of the passage is probably that of R.V., “And that Israel be gathered unto Him,” continuing the description of the Messiah’s mission. The following clause is a parenthesis (“for I am honourable in the eyes of Jehovah, and my God is become my strength”).

6. It is a light thing, etc. “Not only is the restoration of the remnant of Israel the work of the Servant of Jehovah, but God has appointed Him for something higher than this, a mission extending to all mankind."—Delitzsch.

7 the nation abhorreth, etc. The object of contempt and abhorrence to the Jewish people.

to a servant of rulers. He who once subjected himself to the power of unjust rulers shall receive the homage of kings.

8 in an acceptable time. Or, “a time of favour.” This passage is applied by the apostle Paul to the times of the Messiah; whom it represents as pleading successfully for the extension of Gospel blessings to all who seek to be “reconciled to God” through Him: see 2 Cor. v. 18—vi. 2.

to establish the earth. Or, as R.V., “to raise up the land.” The restoration of the cities and inhabitants of Palestine; “the prisoners” “in darkness” being the exiles, to whom the mighty word of the Eternal brings the light of liberty; but the prophecy in its highest meaning refers to the restoration of man by the Gospel: see xlii. 7.

9. They shall feed in the ways, etc. The allusions to the return from captivity are here continued. The people returning home are represented as a flock, able to obtain sufficient pasture (even upon bare sandy hills) without being obliged to go a long way round. The mirage (“the heat,” ver. 10) shall not hurt them, by leading them astray, nor the sun by its oppressive heat; for He who has compassion on them in their misery shall lead them by springs of refreshing water (see xxxv. 7), and open for them a way through the most pateless regions (ver. 11, comp. xl. 4). The description is applied in Rev. vii. 16, to the blessedness of the redeemed.

12 these from the land of Sinim. Converts shall flock into the Church from the more distant quarters. “Sinim” has been variously interpreted; but the prevailing opinion is that it denotes China, which was known to the ancients under the name of “Sina” or “Sinim.”

14. But Zion said, etc. The language of dejection at the delay of God’s deliverance.

16. I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands. As men make marks upon some part of the flesh, as a memorial of some absent object of regard. A mark of this kind on the hands is constantly in sight. So the picture of Zion (not merely the name, as the next clause shows) is represented as drawn in the inside of Jehovah’s hand. Zion and her walls are thus continually before Him: and even if for a time broken down, their eternal idea remains with Him, to be realised again and again in an increasingly glorious form.

20. The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other. Lit., “The children of thy bereavement,” as R.V.; born to thee in thy state of bereavement.

21 seeing I have lost my children, etc. Or, “Seeing I was bereaved and barren, an exile and an outcast.”

23 lick up the dust of thy feet. A figurative expression, meaning, “they shall be completely subject to thee”: see Psa. lxxii. 9.

24. Shall the prey be taken from the mighty? A question of momentary scepticism, implying that such deliverance appears impossible. But God will effect it, driving the oppressor to desperate rage.