Isaiah 49
The Light of the Nations!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, February 19.
The second of the four Suffering Servant Songs is found in Isaiah 49. While Israel is named God’s servant in verse 3, the song then described the Messiah of Israel as the light of the nations in verses 5-7:
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), He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and its Holy One, to the despised One, to the One abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers, “Kings will see and arise, princes will also bow down, because of the Lord who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel who has chosen You.”
The Suffering Servant is “the light of the nations” (6; cf. 42:6). In Luke 2:30-32, Simeon prophesied over Jesus, when He was being dedicated in the temple, “For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” Jesus is “the Light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5). He came through Jacob to not only redeem Israel, but “so that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth,” as “the Savior of the World” (1 John 4:14). Jesus sends you to shine His light to the nations (Matthew 5:14-16; Matthew 28:18-20).
Seize the moment and “walk as children of Light” (Ephesians 5:8; cf. John 12:35-36).
God bless you!
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YOUTUBE:
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