Isaiah 49:1-7

Isaiah 49:1-7

[1] Listen,  O isles,  unto me; and hearken,  ye people,  from far;  The LORD  hath called  me from the womb;  from the bowels  of my mother  hath he made mention  of my name.  [2] And he hath made  my mouth  like a sharp  sword;  in the shadow  of his hand  hath he hid  me, and made  me a polished  shaft;  in his quiver  hath he hid  [3] And said  unto me, Thou art my servant,  O Israel,  in whom I will be glorified.  [4] Then I said,  I have laboured  in vain,  I have spent  my strength  for nought,  and in vain:  yet surely  my judgment  is with the LORD,  and my work  with my God.  [5] And now, saith  that formed  me from the womb  to be his servant,  Jacob  again  to him, Though Israel  be not gathered,  yet shall I be glorious  in the eyes  and my God  shall be my strength.  [6] And he said,  It is a light thing  that thou shouldest be my servant  to raise up  the tribes  of Jacob,  and to restore  of Israel:  I will also give  thee for a light  to the Gentiles,  that thou mayest be my salvation  unto the end  of the earth.  [7] Thus saith  the LORD,  the Redeemer  of Israel,  and his Holy One,  to him whom man  despiseth,  to him whom the nation  abhorreth,  to a servant  of rulers,  Kings  shall see  and arise,  princes  also shall worship,  because of the LORD  that is faithful,  and the Holy One  of Israel,  and he shall choose 

What does Isaiah 49:1-7 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

"The first [1] Song was a word from the Lord to the world about his Servant: "Your plight is known, my Servant will deal with it" [2]; but the second [3] Song is the Servant"s testimony how that world-wide task devolved upon one who was already commissioned to minister to Israel." [4]
"If . . . the first song can be viewed as contemplating the ministry of Jesus the Servant in prospect from the perspective of his baptism, this second song seems to be looking back on that ministry from its close." [5]