Isaías 49
Thomas Constable · Citado em PreceptAustin
Isaías 49
Constable adds a note on Year of Jubilee - The Servant would restore the land, make the Israelites inherit desolate areas, and (v. 9) free captives. The terms used in this verse recall the relief that came to the Israelites in their Jubilee Year (cf. Lev. 25:8-22+). The salvation in view will appear in the Millennium, which the Jubilee Year anticipated. Then too the Servant will represent Israel. The Apostle Paul quoted this verse in 2 Corinthians 6:2. To him the present day was the day of salvation that Isaiah predicted. I take it that Paul meant that the day of salvation had begun because Christ had died on the cross, not that everything that will mark that day had arrived. Clearly God has not yet restored the land to Israel. The day of salvation will come to its glorious climax in the future Millennium. I have answered You - This implies Messiah asked the Father. If we go back to Isa 49:4-5 Messiah said He "I have toiled in vain, I have spent My strength for nothing and vanity," but then He changed the tenor and declared "surely the justice due to Me is with the LORD, and My reward with My God.” And He describes His mission in v5 "To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him." It would seem that here the Father is responding to His Son.
Isaías 49
Constable writes "He would make the Servant a covenant of the people, namely, He would make a new covenant with His people that the Servant would embody (cf. Isa 42:6; Jer. 31:31; 32:40; Ezek. 37:26; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25; 2 Cor. 3:6; Heb. 8:8–12). The Servant would fulfill God’s covenants with Israel." To restore the land - NLT says "Through you (MESSIAH) I will reestablish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again." So this refers to the land of Israel. When will this prophecy be fulfilled? While the Jews are back in the land of Palestine at the present time, this is not the fulfillment to which God refers in this prophecy. That fulfillment awaits the coming Millennium. Moody Bible Commentary - This restoration is linked to the Servant’s work and therefore does not refer to the return from Babylon (539 BC) but looks forward to the end-of-days restoration of Israel in the messianic kingdom. In Acts we see that restoration of the Kingdom was ever in the minds and on the hearts of the Jewish people, even the disciples of Jesus, who (in what appear to be their final words and last question to the Resurrected Jesus) "were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6-see in depth discussion; see discussion of a parallel passage - Acts 3:19, cf Joel 3:16-21+) There it is! The Jews of Jesus' day expected the Messiah would now restore the Kingdom now that He had defeated the greatest enemy "death." It is vital to note that Jesus did not correct them saying for example "I was not sent to restore the Kingdom to Israel." He did not say that. And the reason He did not refute the gist of their question, is because that is part of the Mission that He will accomplish at His Second Coming, at which time He will restore the land to Israel and establish His Messianic Kingdom. These Scriptural facts refute the false teaching of replacement theology, which say (among other things) that Jesus will not restore the land as prophesied here in Isaiah! Barnes on the idea of restore - The language is derived from restoring the ruins of a land that has been overrun by an enemy, when the cities have been demolished, and the country laid waste. (Sadly, then Barnes all of a sudden says this is to be spiritualized [interpreted allegorically - see explanation] and is not taken literally, and as a result he ends up applying it to church! Once again we need to be reminded of the basic hermeneutical principle that context is king in interpretation [Keep Context King] and when we run afield from the context, we invariably run into the field of misinterpretation. We must zealously, continually seek to Be Bereans, no matter whose commentary we are reading, including that by yours truly! - see Acts 17:11+). Note that the KJV translates restore the land as "to establish the earth" (Isa 49:8 KJV) which is possible but is confusing because the context is describing the nation of Israel, and so the land would refer to the Middle East, the land of Palestine (cf God's promise of land to Israel, a promise He has not yet fully fulfilled! - Ge 15:18+)
Isaías 49
Constable comments that "Part of the salvation to appear in that favorable time will involve the liberation of captives, physical and spiritual (cf. Isa 61:1-4)." To those who are bound (tied, imprisoned) Go forth (imperative) - NET "You will say to the prisoners." The Septuagint translates bound (asar) with desmos which literally is a bond or fetter. Are these people who are literally bound by ropes or figuratively bound by sin? This same word bound is used in Isaiah 61:1+ in the phrase "to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners (asar)." Of course, this latter phrase was quoted by Jesus in his first synagogue "sermon" in Luke 4:18+ marking the beginning of His ministry as well as speaking of the mission of His ministry. Believer's Study Bible comments that "The "prisoners" are those in the bondage of sin and not merely the captives in Babylon." To those who are in darkness, Show yourselves (imperative) - NET has "to those who are in dark dungeons, 'Emerge.'" Both commands (go forth, show yourselves) speak of liberation. When Messiah returns to save the believing remnant of Israel, they will be set free from bondage to sin and spiritual darkness. Barnes on show yourselves - Hebrew, ‘Reveal,’ or manifest yourselves; that is, as those who come out of a dark cell come into light, so do you, who have been confined in the darkness of sin, come forth into the light of the Sun of righteousness, and be manifest as the redeemed. Show (01540)(galah) means to reveal, to be revealed, to uncover, to remove. The Septuagint translates galah with the Greek verb anakalupto meaning to be uncovered or be without a veil. This last meaning (without a veil) is interesting because in their unredeemed condition the Jews are described as having their minds "hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted (me anakalupto), because it is removed in Christ." (2 Cor 3:14). In other words when the Jews hear the OT read, they cannot understand that it points to the Messiah, but when a Jew comes to know Jesus by grace through faith, the veil is lifted and one can see the Messiah foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament! Paul writes of the extraction of a sinner from the domain of darkness and transferred as a saint into the kingdom of Christ... For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col 1:13-14+). Oswalt comments that "The second half of the verse (Isa 49:9b) begins to speak of the return to God’s land that the Servant will have made possible. That discussion extends through v. 12. The language is very familiar to readers of the book. Three or four common images are used: flocks safely grazing (Isa 17:2; 40:10–11; 41:18; 43:19; 63:11); the provisions of the exodus (Isa 43:19–20; 51:10; 63:11–14); an easy, well-graded highway (Isa 11:16; 19:23; 36:8; 40:3–4; 42:16; 62:10). All this is in answer to the implicit question: It is easy to talk about restoration, but how do we get from where we are to where we need to be? The Servant’s ministry is not merely to set them free from the bondage of sin but also to lead them the full way home to God’s presence. (NICOT-Isaiah) Constable comments that "God's sheep will enjoy feeding even on the roads and formerly barren heights of their land (cf. Isaiah 17:2; 40:10-11; 41:18; 43:19; 63:11). This is a picture of abundant pasturage, and it represents millennial blessings." Cornerstone Biblical Commentary - Through the servant, prisoners were beckoned to come out and enjoy freedom (Isa 49:9). They will be like “sheep, grazing in green pastures” (Isa 49:9), as echoed in John 10:11-16; 21:15-17. ISRAEL'S RETURN LED BY THE SERVANT (ISAIAH 49:9b-12) Gary Smith on Isaiah 49:9b-12 - The final portion of this section refers to what "they" will do, the ones the Servant will set free. Using the imagery of sheep being cared for by a shepherd (cf. Isa 40:9-11), the Servant promises these people that they will have plenty to eat. (New American Commentary)
Isaías 49
Constable - This was a practice of some people in the ancient world who wanted to make their commitment to some individual prominent (cf. Deut. 6:8). A soldier sometimes wrote the name of his commander on his hand, a slave bore the name of his master, and a devotee did the same with the name of his god I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands - This is figurative language. You of course is the nation of Israel (called "Zion" in this context - Isa 49:14). The palms of My hands is of course is a divine anthropomorphism but nevertheless serves to help us visualize God's strong emphasis that He will remain faithful to His chosen people Israel ("Zion") who have been continually unfaithful to Him. Click here for more supplementary notes related to Isaiah 49:16 (devotionals, quotes, hymns, etc). Inscribed (02710)(chaqaq) means to cut, to inscribe which means to write or engrave as a lasting record. Literally it means to cut as in Isa 22:16 which has "have hewn (chaqaq - in English hewing means to strike or blow with a tool such as an ax or sword) a tomb." In Isa 10:1 chaqaq means a decree - "Woe to those who enact (chaqaq) evil statutes." (cf similar sense in Pr 8:15, Pr 31:5). In Pr 8:27 we see a figurative use where God "inscribed a circle on the face of the deep" and in Pr 8:28 where God "marked out the foundations of the earth." In a Messianic passage chaqaq refers to "the ruler's staff." (Ge 49:10, cf "Scepter" in Nu 21:18, Ps 60:7, Ps 108:8). Chaqaq is translated commanders in Jdg 5:9, 14. Job declares “Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!" (Job 19:23) In Isa 30:8 the prophet is told to "inscribe it on a scroll," which would serve as future evidence that God warned His people Israel of impending judgment in light of their guilt. The prophet Ezekiel is told to take a brink and "inscribe a city on it, Jerusalem." (Ezek 4:1+) In Ezek 23:14 chaqaq describes "images of the Chaldeans portrayed" with vermilion (thus more likely painted than carved)" on the wall. The Septuagint translates chaqaq here with the verb zographeion which is not found in the NT and which generally means to paint (cf the two uses in Ezek 23:14 which translate chaqah meaning to cut in and chaqaq to engrave). Chaqaq - 19 uses - carve(1), commanders(2), decree(1), decreed(1), enact(1), inscribe(2), inscribed(3), lawgiver(1), marked(1), portrayed(1), ruler's(1), ruler's staff(1), scepter(3). Gen. 49:10; Num. 21:18; Deut. 33:21; Jdg. 5:9; Jdg. 5:14; Job 19:23; Ps. 60:7; Ps. 108:8; Prov. 8:15; Prov. 8:27; Prov. 8:29; Prov. 31:5; Isa. 10:1; Isa. 22:16; Isa. 30:8; Isa. 33:22; Isa. 49:16; Ezek. 4:1; Ezek. 23:14 Something that is engraved (inscribed) is considered to be indelible. Indelible means that which cannot be removed, washed away, blotted out, canceled, effaced or erased and thus speaks of that which is unforgettable, lasting and cannot be lost or annulled. Such is the grace of God in Isaiah 49:16, one of the most beautiful expressions of God's everlasting love in all of Scripture. W E Vine - Jews had a custom of marking on their hands, or elsewhere, a delineation of the city and the temple, as a sign of their devotion to, and perpetual remembrance of, them. The Lord graciously adopts the figure to confirm His assurance. However great the devastation wrought by Gentile powers might be, the walls are ever before Him in their restored and perfected condition in the future.To be graven on the palms of His hands is suggestive of the closest identification with Himself, of His unchanging love, and of His constant mindfulness of us in all His emotions and activities. Often, in our unbelief, remissness and forgetfulness, we lose sight of our preciousness in His sight in Christ. What is here conveyed in figure finds its fullness of expression in the outflowing of the Lord's heart to the disciples in the upper room, "Even as the Father hath loved Me, I also have loved you: abide ye in My love" (John 15:9). (The Collected Writings of W. E. Vine) C H Spurgeon, who preached three sermons on Isaiah 49:16 reminds us that "These words apply, first of all, to God’s ancient people, the Jews (ED: the accurate interpretation), but they are equally true of all believers (Ed: a valid application)."
Isaías 49
Constable - The picture continues along the lines of the Good Shepherd providing for and protecting His flock, compassionately leading them and supplying all their needs (cf. Ex 12:21; 17:6; Ps. 23; Rev. 7:16-17). And will guide them to springs of water - In Palestine water is highly valued because of its scarcity, but here the Messiah will lead the believing remnant to abundant supply. This description recalls Ex 17:6 when Israel was in the desert and in need of water and Moses declared... Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Comment - In the NT we read that the physical rock from which came living water was a spiritual picture of Jesus for as Paul taught "the rock was Christ." (1 Cor 10:4). And here we read of that very Messiah, guiding Israel once again to springs of water!
Isaías 49
Constable comments that "Isaiah concluded by calling on the whole created universe to rejoice because the Lord had comforted His people (cf. Isa 40:1; 47:6) and had shown compassion on His formerly afflicted nation (cf. Isa 42:10–13; 44:23; 45:8; 52:8–9; 55:12–13). This is rejoicing over deliverance from sin, not just exile. When the Servant completes His work of salvation, the whole creation, not just humankind, will experience liberation from the effects of the Fall (cf. Ro 8:19–22+). (Bold added) Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth! Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains! - This personifies all of Creation singing a song of praise at the fulfillment of Messiah's Mission as described in the previous passages. And certainly God's faithfulness to keep His promises should always emote praise from His people! Oswalt explains that "The language is that of ecstatic praise. The verbs for shout and exult occur most frequently in the Psalms, but the book in which both occur next in frequency is Isaiah. This element of exultation is clearly at the heart of what the book is about. The book rings with the certainty of God’s ultimate triumph for the sake of his people, no matter who the enemy is: Assyria, Babylon, or the great enemy, sin. Isaiah knows that God will be the victor, and that not only his own people but all people will be the beneficiaries." (NICOT-Isaiah) For - Term of explanation. The reason for the universal praise service is that Yahweh had shown comfort and compassion to His people Israel (the believing remnant). Recall that this last section of Isaiah 40-66 began with the words "“Comfort, O comfort My people (ISRAEL),” says your God." (Isa 40:1). The previous passages in Isaiah 49 described some of the elements of Yahweh's comfort. The LORD has comforted - The Hebrew verb naham/nacham is used in Isaiah 40:1 (Comfort...comfort) and in the several passages that speak of Jehovah's future comfort to His Chosen People... Isaiah 51:3 Indeed, the LORD will comfort (naham/nacham) Zion; He will comfort (naham/nacham) all her waste places. And her wilderness He will make like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in her, Thanksgiving and sound of a melody. Isaiah 51:12 “I, even I, am He who comforts (naham/nacham) you. Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies And of the son of man who is made like grass, Isaiah 52:9 Break forth, shout joyfully together, You waste places of Jerusalem; For the LORD has comforted (naham/nacham) His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort (naham/nacham) all who mourn, Isaiah 66:13 “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted (naham/nacham) in Jerusalem.” His people - His people in this context is primarily the saved remnant of Israel. Will there be saved Gentiles also? Of course and so very likely this group will include Gentiles given the fact that the Servant's mission was to be "a Light of the nations (Gentiles), so that (God's) salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (Isa 49:6). Comforted (05162)(naham/nacham) is a verb which means to be sorry, to console, to comfort. According to the TWOT nacham reflects the idea of "breathing deeply" and hence refers to the physical display of one's feelings, such as sorrow, or in this case compassion or comfort. The Lord had compassion on His people (i.e., He became sorry for them because of the oppression their enemies placed on them [Jdg. 2:18]) Nacham means to comfort or console oneself "thus Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death." (Ge 24:67). Jacob "refused to be comforted" when he believed that Joseph had been killed (Ge 37:35). To console is synonymous with showing kindness to someone, as when David consoled Hanun, king of the Ammonites, over the death of his father (2 Sa 10:2). The Septuagint renders nacham here with the Greek verb parakaleo (para = beside + kaleo = call) which has the basic picture of calling someone to oneself , to call to one's side, to encourage, to instill someone with courage or cheer and so to comfort (used this way in Mt 5:4+, cf Lk 16:25+). And will have compassion on His afflicted - The Hebrew word for afflicted (ani) is translated in the Septuagint with the word tapeinos which literally speaks of a low position and figuratively of people who have little power of significance. Tapeinos can also describe ones emotional state as downhearted, or depressed. In a good sense tapeinos refers to those who are humble. Compassion (mercy)(07355) is the same word used in verse 10. See there for racham Isaiah prophesied in chapter 12 Then you will say on that day, “I will give thanks to You, O LORD; For although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, And You comfort me. (Isa 12:1+) Isaiah 49:14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, And the Lord has forgotten me." The Lord - Isa 40:27 Ps 22:1 31:22 77:6-9 89:38-46 Ro 11:1-5 my Lord - Ps 13:1 Jer 23:39 La 5:20 ZION'S FEAR THAT GOD HAS FORSAKEN THEM Oswalt gives an excellent summary of Isaiah 49:14-26 - The unit is divided in two with the longer segment (Isaiah 49:14–23) first. It deals with the insistence by God that far from forgetting Zion’s concerns (Isa 49:14), God keeps her future constantly before him (Isa 49:15). She may feel that with all her children dead and her husband having forsaken her, her life is over; but God says that he will bring her children from all over the world. She will not be put to shame if she puts her trust in God (Isa 49:23). The second segment (Isa 49:24–26) addresses a question that the assertion in Isa 49:23 raises. Is God’s love strong enough to defeat the tyrants who hold the people of the world in thrall? The answer is a resounding yes, capped by a typical Isaianic threefold appellative asserting God’s loving power (Isa 49:26). Charles Ryrie summarizes Isaiah 49:14-26 writing that "Here the Lord encourages His people who will be in captivity. He has not forgotten them (Isa 49:14-18); He will restore them to their land (Isa 49:19-23) and punish their enemies (Isa 49:24-26). The return of such a large group described in Isa 49:19-21 must look beyond the relatively small group that returned from Babylon to the second coming of Christ (Mt 24:31). But - Term of contrast. The previous section (Isa 49:8-13) described the work of the Servant in hopeful terms which led to an exultation of praise in Isa 49:13. In response Zion (the people of Israel) issue what amounts to a complaint saying "That sounds great, but You have forgotten us." Rejoicing (based on truth) in the previous section now turns to complaining (which is based on not trusting in truth).
Isaías 49
Constable writes that "This pericope focuses on God’s salvation of the Israelites through the future ministry of the Servant. Isaiah used the figure of Zion being the wife of Yahweh to present the Lord’s relationship with His chosen people....Isaiah often used Zion when he spoke of Jerusalem or the Israelites in the future, as here." Zion (06726)(Tsiyyon) is a proper noun the which may mean fortress (but this is debated). The name Zion does not occur at all from Genesis to 1 Samuel. In the present context Zion is personified and stands for the people of Israel who feel God has forgotten them. The LORD has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me - As shown in the Scriptures below that use the Hebrew verb 'azab, over and over Yahweh says in essence that He has not forgotten Israel. Forsaken (left) (05800)('azab) basically means to depart from something -- to leave, to forsake (48x), to leave (26x); "left" (22x), to loose, to depart, to abandon. This is quite an accusation by the people of Israel, for the fact is that this same verb is first used in Isaiah 1:4 where Isaiah says "They (Israel) have abandoned ('azab) the LORD!" (Used again in Isa 1:28). In spite of Israel's forsaking their "Husband" Jehovah, God says "I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake ('azab) them." (Isa 41:17). Again in Isa 42:16ESV God says "I do not forsake ('azab) them." We read of Yahweh's lament and then His promise of compassion to Israel... For the LORD has called you, Like a wife forsaken ('azab) and grieved in spirit, Even like a wife of one’s youth when she is rejected,” Says your God. 7 “For a brief moment I forsook ('azab) you, But with great compassion I will gather you. (Isa 54:6-7) In Isaiah 60:15 God promises... Whereas you have been forsaken ('azab) and hated With no one passing through, I will make you an everlasting pride, A joy from generation to generation. In Isaiah 62:4 Jehovah gives Israel another promise... It will no longer be said to you, “Forsaken ('azab),” Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”; But you will be called, “My delight is in her,” And your land, “Married”; For the LORD delights in you, And to Him your land will be married. In another rebuttal to their claim that Jehovah had forgotten Israel, God says And they will call them, “The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD”; And you will be called, “Sought out, a city not forsaken ('azab),.” (Isa 62:12) Forgotten (07911)(shakach/shakah) means to forget, ignore, to cease to care, (Niphal) to be forgotten, (Piel) to cause to forget, (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget, (Hithpael) to be forgotten. The Lxx translates with the Greek verb epilanthanomai, where the epi- preposition intensifies the meaning and thus conveys the idea of not just forgetting but "completely forgetting." They Jews are saying Jehovah has completely forgotten them! Isaiah 49:15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Can a woman forget her nursing child - 1Ki 3:26,27 Ps 103:13 Mal 3:17 Mt 7:11 Even these may forget - Lev 26:29 Dt 28:56,57 2Ki 6:28,29 11:1,2 La 4:3,10 Ro 1:31 but I will not forget you - Isa 44:21 Jer 31:20 Hos 11:1 Ro 11:28,29 THE LORD WILL NEVER FORGET ISRAEL This is the first of two striking replies which present God's argument in the strongest way possible that His people are safe and secure and He has not and will not ever forget them. One wonders how commentators can read this and still espouse the fallacious idea that God is finished with Israel? For example, read this interpretation by Ortlund of this section... God is addressing Zion. In Isaiah’s culture, a city was thought of in the feminine gender. That’s why this final section of the passage (49:15–50:3) is filled with images of Lady Zion and her children—in our terms today, the church and her members. (Bold added) Comment - When is Zion ever equated with the Church? Never! Isaiah is NOT addressing the Church but Zion (Ortlund even admits that much). But then out of the blue draws a patently absurd conclusion that Zion is the Church. This genre of interpretation is the reason one must be very careful reading commentaries on Isaiah, for many (possibly most) fail to interpret the text literally. I greatly respect the series "Preaching the Word" where Ortlund's work on Isaiah is found, but clearly not all of the volumes of this generally excellent series are of equal accuracy in regard to interpretation of Bible books with eschatological passages (e.g., in the volume on Daniel by Stortz in this series there are 176 references to the "church" and 72 references to Israel! E.g., Stortz writes "We are the offspring of the woman, the Church" referring to the Woman in Rev 12, and thus he totally jettisons Israel from Revelation 12! See Garland for excellent literal exposition of Revelation 12. And this is just one of many examples.). Again, the reader is strongly exhorted to Be a Berean (even in reading the notes you are reading!)(Acts 17:11+)! Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? - The logical answer to this rhetorical question is that it would be highly unlikely for a mother to either forget or fail to show compassion to her offspring.
Isaías 49
Constable points out "Only a few Israelites responded to Cyrus’ edict and returned to rebuild Jerusalem. The majority decided to stay in Babylon. Thus this prediction must be looking into the future." Isaiah 49:18 "Lift up your eyes and look around; All of them gather together, they come to you. As I live," declares the LORD, "You will surely put on all of them as jewels and bind them on as a bride. Lift up - Isa 60:4 Ge 13:14 Mt 13:41,42 Rev 22:15 All of them gather together - Isa 49:12,22 43:5,6 54:1-3 60:5-11 66:12,13,20 Jer 31:8 Ga 3:28,29 As I live - Isa 54:9 Ge 22:16 Heb 6:13-18 you will surely put on all of them jewels - Isa 61:10 Pr 17:6 bind them on as a bride - Jer 2:32 Rev 21:2 RETURNING JEWS WILL BE LIKE BRIDAL ORNAMENTS Lift up (imperative or command) your eyes and look around - To be sure, Jerusalem and Israel have been conquered, subjugated and even decimated time and again over the centuries, so the reader might be inclined to see Isaiah's preceding promises as if they were merely a mirage. So here God calls for them to have 20/20 vision so to speak. What has been described is not a mirage but a miracle! And in this passage we see the greatest seal of all, God's giving of an oath on His life! This will surely come to pass as it has been written. Recall that God is still addressing Zion whose eyes have surely been downcast and whose countenance dejected. But He does not just say look up but even better, look all around "for on all sides those whom she thought she had lost are coming in dense crowds to her." (Keil and Delitzsch) The Chosen People are coming from all around, from all over the world. Barnes on Lift up your eyes and look around - That is, see the multitudes (OF ISRAEL) that shall be converted to thee; see thy ruined city rise again in its former beauty; see the Gentiles come and yield themselves to the worship of the true God (SEE Zechariah 14:9, 16+); see kings and princes approach and do thee homage (CF Ps 2:10-12). Young - Zion the mother is commanded to behold her sons returning to her Isaiah records a similar exhortation in chapter 60 “Lift up your eyes round about and see; They all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, And your daughters will be carried in the arms. (Isa 60:4) All of them gather together, they come to you - Gather the sons together, for "these will come from afar...." (Isa 49:12+) Both verbs (gather...come) are prophetic perfect tense (see diagram depicting prophetic perfect) describing the gathering and the coming to Israel as already accomplished in God's mind. This is what Zion sees when she lifts up her eyes. As I live," declares the LORD - A divine oath. Jehovah gives His pledge base on His own life. It is immutable and eternal just as He is (As I live) Young on as I live - The oath formula is a common one, and means, “So true as it is that I live, saith the Lord, etc.” Barnes on as I live (Note on similar phrase "I have sworn by Myself," from Isa 45:23) - The expression, ‘I have sworn by myself,’ denotes a purpose formed in the most solemn manner, and ratified in the most sacred form. God could swear by no greater (Heb. 6:13, 16); and this, therefore, is the most solemn assurance that could be possibly given that the purpose which he had formed should be executed. To swear by himself is the same as to swear by his life, or to affirm solemnly that the event shall as certainly occur as that he exists. The same idea is often expressed by the phrase, ‘as I live.’ See a parallel declaration in Nu 14:21: ‘But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD’ (comp. Num. 14:28; Isa. 49:18; Jer. 22:24; Ezek. 5:11; 14:16, 18, 20; Zeph. 2:9; Ro 14:11). This passage is quoted by Paul in Rom. 14:11, where the phrase, ‘I have sworn by myself’ is rendered, ‘as I live, saith the Lord,’ showing that they are equivalent expressions. Paul Apple titles this passage "Spectacular Spectacle of the Bejeweled Bride." Beall: The imagery in v. 18b is that of the city as a bride bedecked with the jewels of her sons coming back–her children are her glory. You will surely put on all of them as jewels and bind them on as a bride - Zion is represented as a female. Two figures of speech both of which point to a marked (yea, even miraculous) reversal of fortune for Zion and the Chosen People! Zion shall "wear" all of them (the acquisition and increase of Jewish converts primarily in context, but there will be Gentile converts) as jewels, like a bride does on her wedding day. Zion will bind or tie the believing remnant like bridal ornaments. Oswalt - God has sworn it on his own life. As surely as God lives, the wretched old woman, having lost everything, will have children around her as bright as morning. Isaiah says that just as a bride clothes herself in finery, so will Zion deck herself with children. This has already happened again and again and will continue to happen until the end of time. Zion’s children will be her glory. God has sworn it. (NICOT-Isaiah)
Isaías 49
Constable - The “times of the Gentiles,” the times of Gentile supremacy in the world, will have ended (cf. Zech. 12:2+; Zech 14:2–3+; Luke 21:24; Rev. 11:2+; Rev 19:17–19). This will prove that Yahweh is the true God since He predicted this reversal of Israel’s fortunes and will bring it to pass. Those who believe His promises will not be embarrassed because He will fulfill them. When the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled, then the Gentiles will be commissioned to help Israel. Thus says the Lord GOD (Isa 49:22NET) - The sovereign LORD says it. That settles it whether we believe it or not! Believe it! "The Lord reassured Israel not only with the promise that He would remember and restore Israel, but also that He would ultimately exalt Israel." (Moody Bible Commentary) Lord is Adonai (0136)('adonay) is a word denoting ownership, and thus One in absolute control. Adonay is is often translated in the Septuagint with kurios, which means master or owner. 'Adonay is applied to God as the owner and governor of the whole earth (Ps. 114:7). Several translations like NET and NIV translate adonay as sovereign. The NET Note (on Ge 15:2NET) in fact says that "the presence of "Master" before the holy name is rather compelling evidence that the original would have been "Master, LORD," which is rendered here "sovereign LORD." (Ge 15:2NET) The Jews, out of a superstitious reverence for the name Jehovah, always pronounce Adonai where Jehovah is written. This title indicates the truth that God is the owner of each member of the human family, and that He consequently claims the unrestricted obedience of all. THOUGHT Is Jesus your Adonai? What are you holding back from Him - you time, your money, yea, even your heart? Bow down to Him and surrender your heart to Him today while it is still called today! (2 Cor 6:2, carefully read Hebrews 4:1-2+) Wiersbe rightly reminds us that "Once again, the prophet looked ahead to the end of the age when the Gentiles will honor Jehovah and Israel, and kings and queens will be baby-sitters for Israel’s children!" (Be Comforted) Behold - Pay attention! See! Look! God is going to do a "new thing" which will get the attention of the entire world (cf all flesh in Isa 49:26+)! Oswalt - God says to Zion that he is the one who has brought these descendants to her, and that the nations before whom she had once fawned in an effort to gain their support, and who had mockingly turned against her, shaming her for her false trust, will come fawning to her feet, bringing with them her children from around the world (see also Isa 11:11–12; 66:20). I will lift up My hand to the nations - This is an anthropomorphism. God is beckoning to the nations, giving the Gentiles a signal that He is about to act. Exactly what this "signal" will look like in the future is difficult to state with certainty. The point is that God is in control and He is reestablishing His people Israel in the land of promise just as He had promised in cutting covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He will keep His Word! This is a fascinating picture, for it is a prophecy that the Gentiles will participate in the rebuilding and Jewish re-population of the nation of Israel. Vine explains that "The close of the forth-ninth chapter, from Isaiah 49:22, gives the Lord's answer to the surprised questions arising from Zion in Isaiah 49:21. He shows how the multitude of scattered Israelites will be delivered from their exile and those who oppressed them (GENTILES), and be gathered to their own land. (ED: IN DIVINE IRONY) He will employ the Gentile nations to take their part in accomplishing this gathering (OF JEWS). (The Collected Writings of W. E. Vine) J
Isaías 49
Constable has an interesting comment that "God would raise His hand and an ensign (banner, signal), Messiah, to summon the nations to do this (ED: DO WHAT? SEE GENTILE ACTIONS IN Isa 49:23) (COMMENT - In other words Constable sees the "ensign" as the Messiah which is very reasonable considering in Isa 11:10, 12, he has already said the Messiah ("root of Jesse") will be this Ensign Who will call nations to himself.) Standard (signal) (05251)(nec/nes) means a banner, an ensign, a standard, a signal pole (wood pole which was visible when raised - Nu 21:8), a signal (non-verbal communication - Nu 26:10, Jer 4:6), a sail (for a boat - Isa 33:23). Nec/nes served as a rallying point or standard which drew people together for some common action for or for the communication of important information. The banner could be an ornamental piece of cloth on the end of a staff or pole as a leader’s signal. Usually the signal was placed on a high place in the camp. Isaiah 5:26+ He will also lift up a standard to the distant nation, And will whistle for it from the ends of the earth; And behold, it will come with speed swiftly. Comment - God says that he will call all the nations to come and plunder Israel and Judah, and he will do so by raising an ensign. Isaiah 11:10+ Then in that day The nations will resort to the root of Jesse (MESSIAH), Who will stand as a signal (nec/nes)(STANDARD, ENSIGN) for the peoples (GENTILES); And His resting place will be glorious. Isaiah 11:12+ And He will lift up a standard (nec/nes) for the nations (GENTILES) And assemble the banished ones of Israel, And will gather the dispersed of Judah From the four corners of the earth. Isaiah 13:2 Lift up a standard on the bare hill, Raise your voice to them, Wave the hand that they may enter the doors of the nobles. Oswalt comments that "this passage because it is the only other place in the Bible where “hand” and “ensign” parallel each other. There, as elsewhere, it is a signal flag used to communicate God’s directions. In that instance, it signals the destruction of proud Babylon. Isaiah 18:3 All you inhabitants of the world and dwellers on earth, As soon as a standard is raised on the mountains, you will see it, And as soon as the trumpet is blown, you will hear it. Isaiah 30:17 One thousand will flee at the threat of one man; You will flee at the threat of five, Until you are left as a flag on a mountain top And as a signal on a hill. Isaiah 31:9 “His rock will pass away because of panic, And his princes will be terrified at the standard,” Declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion and whose furnace is in Jerusalem. Isaiah 33:23 Your tackle hangs slack; It cannot hold the base of its mast firmly, Nor spread out the sail. Then the prey of an abundant spoil will be divided; The lame will take the plunder. Isaiah 49:22 Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations And set up My standard to the peoples; And they will bring your sons in their bosom, And your daughters will be carried on their shoulders. Isaiah 62:10 Go through, go through the gates, Clear the way for the people; Build up, build up the highway, Remove the stones, lift up a standard over the peoples (GENTILES). Comment - This passage states that an ensign is raised over the peoples to signal the coming of the MESSIAH Who will be salvation for Zion. And they (GENTILES) will bring your sons in their bosom and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders - NLT "They will carry your little sons back to you in their arms; they will bring your daughters on their shoulders." The repopulation of Zion will be assisted by the Gentiles. Exactly how this will occur and what this will look like is not clear. Beall says that Isa 49:22-23 state that Gentiles will help bring Jews to the promised land, and Gentile leaders will serve the Israelites (v 23). Oswalt - Clearly, much more than merely the return of the Babylonian exiles is in view here. This is a foretaste of the picture of chs. 60–66, which is itself a fulfillment of Isaiah 2:1–5+. All the nations are flowing to Jerusalem to bow at her feet, yes, to beg mercy for the wrongs done, and yes, to bring back with apology those who had been dragged away, but also to try to learn something of this amazing God who has been able to lift his people from barren widowhood to being the laughing grandmother of nations...the final consummation of this picture is yet to come (ED: IN THE MILLENNIUM), (Ibid) Isaiah 49:23 "Kings will be your guardians, And their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth And lick the dust of your feet; And you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame. kings - Isa 49:7 52:15 60:3,10,11,16 62:2 Ezr 1:2-4 6:7-12 7:11-28 Ne 2:6-10 Es 8:1-10:3 Ps 2:10-12 68:31 72:10,11 138:4 Rev 21:24-26 nurses - Heb. nourishers, Nu 11:12 bow down - Isa 45:14 60:14 Ge 43:26 Ps 72:9 Rev 3:9 lick the dust - Mic 7:17 And you will know that I am the LORD - Isa 25:9 Isa 64:4 Ps 25:3 34:22 69:6 Ro 5:5 9:33 10:11 1Pe 2:6 NET Isaiah 49:23 Kings will be your children's guardians; their princesses will nurse your children. With their faces to the ground they will bow down to you and they will lick the dirt on your feet. Then you will recognize that I am the LORD; those who wait patiently for me are not put to shame. NLT Isaiah 49:23 Kings and queens will serve you and care for all your needs. They will bow to the earth before you and lick the dust from your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Those who trust in me will never be put to shame." ESV Isaiah 49:23 Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame." NIV Isaiah 49:23 Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed." A REVERSAL OF ROLES Kings will be your guardians, and their princesses your nurses - The NLT paraphrases it "Kings and queens will serve you and care for all your needs" These descriptions speak of protection (guardians) and nurturing (nurses) of Israel. Now think about this prophecy for a moment -- has this ever occurred in the history of the nation of Israel? While there have been a few Gentile rulers who have shown the Jews favor, this has never occurred on the scale as suggested by this passage, and certainly not accompanied by subjecting themselves to Israel (cf following phrase they will bow down)! This has not been fulfilled, but it will be fulfilled when Messiah returns, and delivers a remnant of believing Jews. The point is clear that instead of the predominant Gentile attitude toward Israel of ANTI-SEMITISM, this passage predicts a time when the attitude of Gentiles will be PRO-ISRAEL! If you think this has occurred, just look at the nations of the world attack Israel in the United Nations or look at the worldwide increase in anti-Semitism (I am writing in October, 2018 - e.g., see NY Times May, 2018 article, Aug, 2018 article on rise in Germany). This favor to Israel by Gentile rulers has NOT occurred. Young offers a totally non-literal and rather absurd comment that “Even the highest and most powerful rulers of the heathen nations will reverence the Church and devote to her all their wealth and power.” Young has some excellent comments on the Hebrew and interpretation of difficult passages, but interspersed are other comments which necessitate one staying very alert and discerning when using his voluminous material on Isaiah (3 volumes). Bultema notes that “Calvin and most expositors believe that the text teaches that one day the greatest in the nation will love and care for the children of the Church. This text has usually been made to serve as proof of the legitimacy of the church state (or state church); however, the prophet does not have the Church in mind here, but future Israel.” Clearly, passages such as Isaiah 49:23 are so incredible that it forces those who do not accept the fact that God has neither forgotten nor rejected a literal Israel to concoct very imaginative interpretations. Beloved, if the plain sense of a text makes good sense in context, then it is prudent to avoid attempting to make some other sense out of it, lest it end up being non-sense! I apologize but cannot not avoid commenting on another nonsensical interpretation by Young - "We are not to look for a literal fulfillment of this promise (ED: BEGS THE QUESTION - "WHY NOT?" WHAT IS IN THE TEXT OR CONTEXT THAT SAYS THIS SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LITERALLY?). It rather refers to a conversion of the Gentiles, who as converted bring to Zion the converted sons of Israel.” WHAT? Be a Berean! (Acts 17:11+) See Constable's thoughts on interpretations like those by Young. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth and lick the dust of your feet - This figure speaks of Gentiles submitting to Israel, something that clearly did not transpire in Israel's past. This is a future event at the end of this age and beginning of the next age (Millennium). Clearly the Times of the Gentiles (See note above) will have ended for them to bow down to those who previously were forced to bow down to them. Vine - The statement that they shall "lick the dust of Thy feet" points to the submission of those who before had taken part in oppressing them (see Psalm 72:9; Micah 7:17+). Bow down (07812)(shachah) means to bow down, to prostrate oneself, to crouch, to fall down, to humbly beseech, to do reverence, to worship. The idea is to assume a prostrate position as would in paying homage to royalty (Ge 43:28) or to God (Ge 24:26, Ps 95:6). Bow down is translated in the Septuagint (LXX) in this passage (and most of the OT uses) with the picturesque Greek verb proskuneo (from pros = toward or facing + kuneo = kiss, adore) which pictures the practice among the Orientals (especially the Persians) of falling upon their knees and touching the ground with their forehead as an expression of profound reverence. Paul explained that all people will bow down to Jesus Christ For this reason also (WHAT REASON? Php 2:8), God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the Name which is above every name, 10 so that at the Name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (Php 2:9-10+) Bultema - “Lick up the dust of thy feet refers to the great honor which the great ones of the world will give Israel. It is mainly on the basis of this phrase that there is the practice of kissing the pope’s feet.” Gilbrant - They will subject themselves to Zion, recognizing their spiritual indebtedness to Israel. Then the people of Zion will know in their experience that God is Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God. Because He is faithful, those who hope and trust in Him will not be ashamed of that hope or be disappointed. And you will know that I am the LORD - You refers to Zion/Israel. When all of these miraculous events transpire, it will be obvious that they are not natural, but supernatural and could only be from Jehovah. As they experience these events described above (regathering, rebuilding, etc), they will know from this experience it is of Yahweh. Clearly this prophecy HAS NOT been fulfilled. We see this same pattern of God's acts giving clear evidence of God's presence and power in Ezekiel. And keep in mind that the context of these passages is yet future, in the last days, preceding Messiah's second coming. That is when the Jews (a believing remnant) will come to truly know the LORD. (Ezek 36:11) ‘I will multiply on you man and beast; and they will increase and be fruitful; and I will cause you to be inhabited as you were formerly and will treat you better than at the first. Thus you will know that I am the LORD. (Commentary on Ezekiel 36) (Ezek 36:23) “I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight. (Ezek 36:38) “Like the flock for sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so will the waste cities be filled with flocks of men. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”’” (Ezek 37:14) “I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it,” declares the LORD.’” (Commentary on Ezekiel 37) (Ezek 39:22-23) “And the house of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God from that day onward. 23 “The nations will know that the house of Israel went into exile for their iniquity because they acted treacherously against Me, and I hid My face from them; so I gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and all of them fell by the sword. (Commentary on Ezekiel 39) (Ezek 39:28) “Then they will know that I am the LORD their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then gathered them again to their own land; and I will leave none of them there any longer. And even the nations (the Gentiles) will know it is Jehovah who has done these things for Israel. Again, the setting of the following passages is the last days before the Messiah returns. This is great news for Gentiles for in the last days, many Gentiles will come to know the LORD. (Ezek 36:36) “Then the nations that are left round about you will know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted that which was desolate; I, the LORD, have spoken and will do it.” (Ezek 37:28) “And the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.”’” (Ezek 38:23) “I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD.”’ (Commentary on Ezekiel 38) (Ezek 39:7) “My holy name I will make known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let My holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame. - NET = "those who wait patiently for me are not put to shame." paraphrase " This description explains how the Jewish remnant will come to know that God is the LORD. They will come to know Him by grace through faith. NLT has "Those who trust in me will never be put to shame," for to hopefully wait is to express faith, confidence, trust that God will do what He said He would do. Isaiah 25 combines the ideas of waiting on (trusting in) the LORD and salvation by the LORD... And it will be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God for Whom we have waited that He might save (yasha') us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation (Hebrew = yeshua; Lxx = soteria) .” (Isa 25:9)
Isaías 49
Constable adds that in this passage "Isaiah addressed an objection that some in his audience evidently entertained. Is it possible that Yahweh could really overturn the power of the mighty nations that scattered the Israelites and kept them from their land? Of course, God had already rescued Israel from one mighty man at the Exodus. Typically mighty men and tyrants cling to their prey and captives tenaciously." Can the prey be taken from the mighty man - Rhetorical. Answer - No. Mighty (01368)(gibbor) means mighty and is used by Isaiah in Isaiah 9:6 in his description of the Messiah as "Mighty God". Isaiah again uses gibbor to refer to God in Isaiah 10:21+ "A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God." While Isaiah 10 may have had a partial fulfillment, it too, like the present description of Israel's return to the Land, awaits a future time when Messiah the Deliverer returns to rescue captive Israel (Ro 11:26+). The Septuagint translates mighty (gibbor) in Isaiah 49:25 with the noun gigas which can mean giant or mighty. The question arises is who is the "giant," the mighty man? The text does not say. Or the captives of a tyrant be rescued? - Rhetorical. Answer - No. Go to the next verse for Yahweh's reply to these two questions about His ability to conquer the mighty man and the tyrant. Isaiah 49:25 Surely, thus says the LORD, "Even the captives of the mighty man will be taken away, And the prey of the tyrant will be rescued; For I will contend with the one who contends with you, And I will save your sons. Even - Isa 10:27 Isa 52:2-5 Jer 29:10 50:17-19,33,34 Zec 9:11 Heb 2:14,15 1Jn 3:8 I will contend - Isa 41:11,12 54:15-17 Ge 12:3 Nu 23:8,9 Jer 51:35,36 Zec 9:13-16 Zec 12:3-6 14:3,12 Ro 8:31-39 Rev 18:20 I will save - Isa 54:13 Ga 4:26 NET Isaiah 49:25 Indeed," says the LORD, "captives will be taken from a warrior; spoils will be rescued from a conqueror. I will oppose your adversary and I will rescue your children. NLT Isaiah 49:25 But the LORD says, "The captives of warriors will be released, and the plunder of tyrants will be retrieved. For I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children. ESV Isaiah 49:25 For thus says the LORD: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued, for I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children. CSB Isaiah 49:25 For this is what the LORD says: "Even the captives of a mighty man will be taken, and the prey of a tyrant will be delivered; I will contend with the one who contends with you, and I will save your children. NIV Isaiah 49:25 But this is what the LORD says: "Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save. A SURE ANSWER: GOD IS ABLE! Gilbrant - The Lord has a different answer (THAN THE "NO" in Isa 49:24). The captive of the mighty warrior will be taken away and the war-booty of violent tyrants will get to safety. God will enter the battle on the side of His people. “I” is in the emphatic position in the sentence. Because his power is greater, He will be victor and He will save. (Complete Biblical Library – Isaiah) Surely, thus says the LORD - He is Jehovah (Isa 49:26) , the God Who keeps His covenant promises to Israel. Constable - Yahweh replied that He would indeed save the Israelites’ descendants from their tyrannical captors even though that would be humanly impossible. He is stronger than they. Even the captives of the mighty man will be taken away - NET = "Captives will be taken from a warrior." Captives refer to Israel and this is not just referring to those who were taken to Babylon, but to the Jews in the end time. As W E Vine says "the time in view is far beyond the return from captivity under Cyrus, and is yet future." Note the context, which describes a time when "all flesh will know that I, the LORD am your (Israel's) Savior." (Isa 49:26). This surely did not occur when the exiles returned from Babylon, so has to refer to a future time. Vine suggests the mighty man is the Beast of Revelation 13 (the Antichrist) and certainly we know that he has a strong desire to annihilate the nation of Israel. In any event, Israel's enemies will not succeed for God is their Redeemer (Isa 49:26) who is able to liberate the captives.
Isaías 49
Constable - The Lord would cause these Gentile oppressors to consume one another (ED: SEE ZECH 14:13 ABOVE). This will happen when the nations fight one another at Armageddon. Jesus Christ will return from heaven, the assembled armies will turn on Him, and He will defeat them with a word from His mouth. This will open the way for Israel to return to her land as the honored of the earth in the Millennium (cf. Da 11:40–45+; Rev. 17:14+; Rev 19:14–21+). These events will demonstrate to everyone that Yahweh is Israel’s Savior, Redeemer, and the Mighty God of Jacob. Motyer - The pictures of eating their own flesh and drinking their own blood draw on the horrors of siege conditions. The reality is that those who oppose the Lord and his people experience the self destructiveness of sin—a recurring feature of the wars of the Lord.” NET Note - Verse 26a depicts siege warfare and bloody defeat. The besieged enemy will be so starved they will their own flesh. The bloodstained bodies lying on the blood-soaked battle site will look as if they collapsed in drunkenness. And they will become drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine - This is the law of reaping what they have sown. We see similar descriptions in the Revelation, which describes the events that will occur in the last days, in the time of the Great Tribulation, the time which will be terminated when the Deliverer comes from Zion to remove ungodliness from Jacob (Ro 11:26-27+) Revelation 14:20+ And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses’ bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles. Revelation 16:6+ for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it.” Revelation 17:6+ And I saw the woman (BABYLON) drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly. (Rev 18:6+) “Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her. And all flesh - All the people of the world. This has to be in some way associated with Jesus' return and His victory over all His enemies as described above. Certainly at that time they will know that Jesus is without a doubt LORD...(Israel's) Savior...(Israel's) Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob (Israel). See also Romans 11:26+ which says "“THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.” In Revelation 1:7+ the apostle John describes a time when the entire world will recognize Jesus... BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen." Will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior (see yasha') And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob - NET = "Then all humankind will recognize that I am the LORD, your deliverer, your protector, the powerful ruler of Jacob." The entire world, Gentiles and Jews, will know that Jehovah (Yahweh) is the One Who is Savior and Redeemer and will recognize that He has the might and power to accomplish redemption of the little nation of Israel, which is why they come to know Him as the Mighty One of Jacob (ISRAEL). Here He is not called the Mighty One of the Church (although of course He is that), because Isaiah's prophecy is poignantly making the point that Jehovah is NOT FINISHED WITH THE NATION OF ISRAEL! While many deny this fact, including sadly many in the evangelical community, one day they will see and come to know that He is indeed the Mighty One of Israel! Every mouth will be stopped. As Charles Pfeiffer says "the fulfillment of prophecy demonstrates to the world the sovereign power of Jehovah God." (The Wycliffe Bible Commentary) Isaiah "piles up" names of God, each of which speaks of some aspect of His divine character and/or His attributes. Notice how the Names parallel His actions in Isaiah 49:25. LORD (Jehovah) is the covenant keeper. Savior is the One who rescues or delivers. Redeemer is the one who pays the price to set captives and slaves free. Mighty One is He who has the power to accomplish all these things. O come let us adore Him! Note also the possessive pronoun YOUR. To whom does this YOUR refer? In context this is Israel. Jehovah says He is "their" Savior, "their" Redeemer and this in fact is the very "function" He will fulfill when He returns (cf Ro 11:26-27+). Therefore ultimately the YOUR is the remnant of Jews who will by grace place their faith in Messiah (cf Zech 12:10-14+, Zech 13:1+ - Zechariah gives us a description of the size of the saved remnant in Zech 13:9+) Your Savior (Deliverer, Helper) (03467)(see preceding note on yasha') (See also yeshua from which we get our word "Jesus"). Redeemer (01350)(goel/ga'al) is a Hebrew verb and the participial form of the Qal stem of the verb is used like a noun. The primary meaning of goel is to do the part of a kinsman and thus to redeem one's kin from difficulty or danger often by paying a price (cf ransom). The redemption of one's kin by the nearest relative or kinsman is both a privilege and a duty which gives rise to the designation of the term "kinsman-redeemer." Goel is used of men such as Boaz who functioned as the Kinsman-Redeemer of Ruth the Moabitess, Boaz giving us a beautiful "type" of Christ our Kinsman-Redeemer. See the related in depth study on our Goel Jesus Christ Who is our Kinsman Redeemer. The idea of redeem of course implies first that someone needs redemption and second that a nearest kinsman has the ability (and willingness) to pay the price of redemption to set their kin free (to redeem them). In Isaiah 49:26 God has paid the price to set the believing remnant of Israel free from slavery to sin (and to oppressors), the redemption price being the Kinsman-Redeemer's Own blood. Peter writes that all believers (including the Jewish remnant) "were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." (1 Pe 1:18-19+). Goel is used 23 times in Isaiah (out of a total of 83x in OT) - Isa. 35:9; Isa. 41:14; Isa. 43:1; Isa. 43:14; Isa. 44:6; Isa. 44:22; Isa. 44:23; Isa. 44:24; Isa. 47:4; Isa. 48:17; Isa. 48:20; Isa. 49:7; Isa. 49:26; Isa. 51:10; Isa. 52:3; Isa. 52:9; Isa. 54:5; Isa. 54:8; Isa. 59:20; Isa. 60:16; Isa. 62:12; Isa. 63:9; Isa. 63:16 The Name of God as Redeemer is used only 18 times in the OT, with most of the uses in Isaiah. Job 19:25; Ps. 19:14; Ps. 78:35; Prov. 23:11; Isa. 41:14; Isa. 43:14; Isa. 44:6; Isa. 44:24; Isa. 47:4; Isa. 48:17; Isa. 49:7; Isa. 49:26; Isa. 54:5; Isa. 54:8; Isa. 59:20; Isa. 60:16; Isa. 63:16; Jer. 50:34 Isaiah 44:6 “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me. Comment - Notice how foolish it is to "do away with Israel" and to say that God is finished with the nation of Israel. Here Jehovah is unequivocably linked with the nation of Israel as his Redeemer! Could the Scriptures be any clearer? I think not. The only way to change the true meaning of this passage is to spiritualize "Israel" and say "Israel" is really not "Israel" but is the "Church!" Does Isaiah 59:20 below sound like it refers to the Church? Isaiah 59:20 “A Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the LORD. Comment - Again notice that this is not the Church, but is the nation of Israel, here describing Messiah's return to deliver a remnant of Jewish believers. This is the passage the Jewish writer Paul cites in Romans 11:26,27+. In that day, "all Israel shall be saved." Martin - When the Lord executes judgment on His enemies (at Christ's second coming), the Messiah will go to Zion. He will be the Redeemer (see Isa 41:14) of those Israelites who turn to Him in repentance (Isa 59:20). Showing their future hope, the nation was being encouraged to repent.
Isaías 49
Constable - 49:15 God’s response to His “wife’s” complaint was to assure her of His unfailing commitment to her. Human mothers may possibly neglect the children that they cared so much for that they nursed, though this is unnatural. They may even stop showing compassion to the children that they carried in their wombs for nine months, though this is inconsistent. Yet Yahweh would never, ever forget (abandon) His chosen people (cf. Ps. 27:10). “This is one of the strongest, if not the strongest expression of God’s love in the Old Testament, and is often compared with Jeremiah 31:20.” (Young) ----------------------- KJV Bible Commentary - So permanent is God’s relationship to His people that He promises, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands. The verb shaqaq means to carve or cut into, hence, to engrave. Some have attempted to view it as a tattooing; however, it should be noted that this practice is strongly condemned in Leviticus 19:28. While it is possible that the forbiddance of the practice does not necessarily prohibit its use as a figure of speech, the implication of the passage would seem to favor engrave. However, the fact that they are engraved upon the palms would seem to favor the idea of being tattooed into the skin itself. In either case, the indication of the passage is that God’s relationship with us is such that He is inseparably united to His people. That the verse teaches the security of the believer is more than obvious. -----------------------
Isaías 49
Constable - Some servants inscribed the names of their masters on their hands in Isaiah's day, but masters did not write the names of their servants on their hands. Yet Yahweh had written (lit. engraved, cf. Ezekiel 4:1) the name of Zion on His palms so that He would not forget her, but be reminded of her frequently. The profile (skyline) of the city was constantly in His thoughts. -----------------------