◄ What Does Isaiah 49:5 Mean? ►

And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him (For I am honored in the sight of the LORD, And My God is My strength),

Isaiah 49:5(NASB)

Verse of the Day

Throughout the Old Testament, the Messiah of Israel is portrayed in two very distinct roles: 1) the suffering Servant of God and 2) the conquering King of Israel. They identify the Saviour in two contrasting ways: 1) the son of Joseph and 2) the son of David. But here in this forty-ninth chapter of Isaiah, we take a glimpse into one small aspect of the rejection, humiliation, and pain of the suffering Servant, the Holy One of Israel. He was anointed by God to be a light to the Gentile nations, the good Shepherd of His chosen people, and the glory of God's inheritance - Israel.

For generations, Israel had been warned by many different judges and prophets, that breaking the conditional covenant they made with the Lord on Mount Sinai through Moses would result in their severe chastening. Indeed, the Bible records their 70-year long Babylonian captivity and their eventual dispersion throughout the world. From early in his ministry, Isaiah recognised that most people in the nation of Israel were apostate. Although they gave lip-service to the Lord, their hearts were far from Him.

Many in Israel had compromised their trust in God. Their eyes were blinded, their ears were deaf, and their unbelieving hearts were hard, rebellious, stubborn, and defiant. Although they confessed the God of Israel with their mouth, they refused to repent of their own sins and the accumulated sins of the nation. And yet, Isaiah knew that there was a small but faithful remnant that honoured the Lord... and he was instructed to deliver great comfort to those that were set apart unto God.

The Son of God alone was the suffering Servant Who would save His people from their sin. He would become their eternal King - and a human body was prepared for the Seed of the woman, the Seed of Abraham, great David's greater Son. He was the only one who was formed from the womb to be God's anointed Servant. He alone was qualified to bring the scattered children of Jacob back to the Lord their God.

Jesus alone was the One Who was able to pay the price for the sin of the world, so that all who would believe on Him would be saved. He alone was given the authority from God to gather the lost sheep of the house of Israel and return them into the Lord's great sheepfold. He was the God-Man Who alone was the eternal Son and humble Kinsman-Redeemer.

Christ alone is the Son of God Who became the Son of Man... for He alone is honoured in the sight of the Lord His God. Christ is God incarnate Who came to earth to pay the price for the sin of the whole world - so that whosoever believes on Him would not perish but have everlasting life.

Only Jesus Christ was good enough to become the sinless sacrifice for the sin of the world for He alone is the image and glory of the invisible God. He alone has been appointed Heir of all things, through Whom the world was made, for He is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His eternal nature.

Christ alone upholds all things by the word of His power - and when He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels. And He has inherited a more excellent name than they, for at the name of JESUS every knee will bow.

The day is approaching when God's suffering servant will be hailed as Israel's Messiah... the King of kings and Lord of lords. And the earth will be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect plan of redemption and that by grace, You formed the Lord Jesus from the womb to be Israel's suffering Servant and eternal King. Thank You that You chose me to be part of the Body of Christ, so that in Him I might show forth the praises of Him Who has called me out of darkness into His marvellous light. Praise His holy name, AMEN.