Isa 49:1-3 | JFB | STEP | Messiah, as the ideal Israel ( ), states the object of His mission, His want of success for a time, yet His certainty of ultimate success. 1. O isles-- Messiah is here regarded as having been rejected by the Jews ( , ), and as now turning to the Gentiles, to whom the Father hath given Him "for a light and salvation." "Isles" mean all regions beyond sea. from the womb-- ( ; ; ). from ... bowels ... mention of my name-- His name "Jesus" (that is, God-Saviour) was designated by God before His birth ( ).

‏ Isaiah 49:1-3

CHAPTER 49 Is 49:1-26. Similar to Chapter 42:1-7 (Is 49:1-9).

Messiah, as the ideal Israel (Is 49:3), states the object of His mission, His want of success for a time, yet His certainty of ultimate success.

1. O isles--Messiah is here regarded as having been rejected by the Jews (Is 49:4, 5), and as now turning to the Gentiles, to whom the Father hath given Him "for a light and salvation." "Isles" mean all regions beyond sea.

from the womb--(Is 44:2; Lu 1:31; Joh 10:36).

from ... bowels ... mention of my name--His name "Jesus" (that is, God-Saviour) was designated by God before His birth (Mt 1:21).

2. my mouth ... sword--(Is 11:4; Re 19:15). The double office of the Word of God, saving and damnatory, is implied (Is 50:4; Joh 12:48; He 4:12).

shaft--(Psa 45:5). "Polished," that is, free from all rust, implies His unsullied purity.

in ... quiver ... hid me--Like a sword in its scabbard, or a shaft in the quiver, Messiah, before His appearing, was hid with God, ready to be drawn forth at the moment God saw fit [Hengstenberg]; also always protected by God, as the arrow by the quiver (Is 51:16).

3. Israel--applied to Messiah, according to the true import of the name, the Prince who had power with God in wrestling in behalf of man, and who prevails (Ge 32:28; Ho 12:3, 4). He is also the ideal Israel, the representative man of the nation (compare Mt 2:15 with Ho 11:1).

in whom ... glorified--(Joh 14:13; 17:1-5).