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Devotional thoughts (Monday through Thursday mornings) from the pastor of Exeter Presbyterian Church in Exeter, NH // Sunday Worship 10:30am // 73 Winter Street

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Isaiah 49

Who is the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah? In chapter 49 we begin with the second of four “Servant Songs.” These poems are one of the most exciting features of this book of prophecy. The figure at the center of the songs is the personification of a faithful Israel, and as the songs progress from the first to the fourth, the fact that this perfect Israel will actually come as a person becomes clearer.

What does the second song teach us about the coming Servant-Messiah? This man appeals to people from the “coastlands” (which stands for far-off Gentile lands) to listen to what He has to say. He was called to His special office from the womb. His words would be like a sharp sword. The Lord would both use Him and protect Him from danger. It would appear somehow that His mission would seem to yield nothing. But the Lord has assured Him in these words that He will use Him not only to restore Jews to God, but to be a light to far-off Gentile lands, so that the Lord’s salvation would reach to the end of the earth. To save only the Jews is seen as too small a task for this great chosen Servant.

Nonetheless we learn that He will be deeply despised. This theme will be further developed in the remaining songs, as we see that this great Servant will be a suffering Servant. Despite the fact that He will be hated by some, He receives the encouragement of God that by the Lord’s choice and by God’s faithfulness, many powerful rulers will bow before Him. He will serve them in His suffering and lowliness, but they will prostrate themselves before Him one day.

These are amazing prophecies that are fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus Christ. However, it is interesting that during His earthly days we only have a veiled appreciation for the world-wide mission of Christ and for His overwhelming victory in the final chapter of the story of life under the sun. There are many wonderful episodes in the gospels that suggest that Christ’s great mercy will go beyond the borders of Israel, but it is especially in His ascended ministry working through the church that we are able to see this most clearly. Then we see that there is something here beyond the restoration of the Jews back to the land of Israel. There is something greater that ultimately will be known in the new heavens and the new earth, but which is experienced in part even now through the worship and work of the Christian church

There is, of course, much more to come. There is a “land” that will be firmly established. There are still more prisoners of sin and death who will receive their liberty. The hungry will be fed and satisfied. There will be streams of living water for those who thirst. There will be the finest protection and provision for many chosen people who will be brought to the heavenly Jerusalem from far-off lands.

This should start us singing for joy right now, since these great blessings have already been secured for us in the work of Christ on our behalf. Yet there are times when Zion finds it hard to see with the eyes of faith. We think that the Lord has turned away from us and has forgotten to love us. This is of course not the case. A father or mother may discipline his child, but the Lord is like a tender mother who will never forget her son. Even if a loving mother would forget, the Lord’s love will never fail. The names of His children are carved into the palms of His hands, just as the nails made their marks in the hands of Jesus Christ. The walls of the final city of God are known to God, and they shall be built up, living stone upon living stone in the beauty of resurrection holiness.

Because of the grace of adoption that unites Jews and Gentiles together in one body in the Lord, there will be so many descendants of Israel that the space will need to be broadened to welcome in the many descendants who are part of the communion of saints and the household of faith. Many of these descendants will come from afar, as the blessing of the Lord extends out in waves of grace from age to age.

The message for us here and in the words of Jesus as He prepares the church for the centuries after His death is this: “Those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.”

Could such a great victory really be possible for the people of God when empires like Babylon or Rome are so strong, and when spiritual rulers in dark places wage war against the saints of the Most High? Yes, God can bring captives from out of the hands of His oppressors. The Messiah who can heal at a great distance, can also bring the gift of faith and life to many souls in distant lands. He will call them home to Himself in the great day of His gospel power. Then the revelation of the Almighty will be so clear and beautiful and all people will know that the Lord is our Savior and our Redeemer. He is the Mighty One of Jacob, and He shall do it.

posted by Pastor Magee @ 7:00 AM

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