Isaiah 49
SIBIsaiah 49:1-6
Let all the Gentile nations know and believe that God has, from eternity, appointed me his eternal Son to be the Saviour of men; and, from my incarnation, has manifested me under that character. By the unmeasured endowment of his Spirit he has qualified me to speak for the conviction and conversion of men. He has protected and preserved me, and declared me the covenant head of his chosen people, in whose debased and exalted services he will glorify all his perfections to the highest. And, though my ministrations have little success in the conversion of the Jewish nation, God will honourably reward my faithful service, and give me for an Instructor and Saviour to the Gentile world
Isaiah 49:7-13
In consequence of my excessive debasement and trouble among the Jews, JHROYAH will highly exalt me, seasonably grant whatever assistance and protection I need for myself or members, and grant me a numerous seed through the whole world, saved from all their misery and bondage, and richly supplied with the precious and comfortable oracles, ordinances, and blessings, of the new covenant, while both angels and men shall rejoice in their happiness
Isaiah 49:14-23
Nor shall the Jews in Babylon, or in their long dispersion, nor the church under Antichrist, have any just reason to doubt of God’s continued kindness to and care for them. Delivered from their enemies, and returned to their own country, the Jews shall greatly increase in numbers, and abound in prosperity. During their infidelity and dispersion, the vast numbers of Gentiles who enter the church shall more than balance their loss; and at last both Jews and Gentiles shall, in countless multitudes all over the world, be converted to the Lord
Isaiah 49:24-26
Nor shall the mightiest devils or persecutors be able to hinder their conversion and salvation, since God, as their Redeemer, will exert his almighty power for their deliverance, and the tremendous ruin of their enemies
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XLIX.—What important truths are notified to men by the gospel of Christ! And great is the mercy that the Gentiles have so deep concern in it, and such abundant access to know and receive it. Enlarged gifts and grace are necessary to qualify men for the ministry. And exalted ought to be their ends, earnest their care, and assiduous their labour, in winning souls to Christ. Glorious and certain shall be the reward of their faithful service, even though it should not have the wished success with men. But infinite is the mercy of God, in calling his own Son to his mediatorial office, and qualifying him for it; in freely giving him for us as a Ransom, and to us as an effectual Saviour! By it JEHOVAN’s declarative glory, and the everlasting happiness of men, are wonderfully advanced. Alas, that ever he should be rejected, and his grace received in vain; that his salvation, so extensive and suitable, should be so undervalued and refused!—In his days of power, God effectually enlightens the mind, looses the bonds, supplies the wants, protects the persons, comforts the hearts, and makes plain the paths, of his people. His work of redemption, his saving of multitudes, demands our highest praise: and the 2 assurances of his constant and everlasting kindness, and his promises to remove every thing hurtful gives ground of encouragement to the most despondent. Thrice pleasant is it to behold the church extending her limits, and mightily increasing her members; and to discern how almighty power and grace protects and blesses it, notwithstanding all opposition!