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These words in Isaiah 49 are not among the best known verses in the Bible.

We need to remember that God wants to do more than deliver people from their suffering, but from their sin and sins. This is what Jesus did.

Yes – Jesus came ministering to the needs of people – delivering people from all kinds of suffering – but there came that point where He laid down His life to deliver people from their sin and sins.

Various prophecies found in Isaiah were fulfilled during the birth of Jesus

You shall call His name Jesus for he shall deliver His people from their sins.

Jesus was named when he was still in the womb.

John the baptiser belonged to God from the womb – Paul refers to that too!

In Isaiah Chapters 40 to 48 – there is much about God delivering Israel from suffering – from being prisoners and exiles – but then, there is a change. Israel has to be delivered from her sins.

It is not enough to be saved from suffering – we need to be set free from sin – which can cause so much of the suffering.

Israel was in exile because of her sin – and the people were suffering.

God is going to act – God is going to intervene – Divine intervention.

In verses 1 to 7 we see a picture of what God intended Israel to be when she was called and chosen – and we see something of what Jesus Christ would be like when HE would begin to minister in our world.

Verses 8 to 26 speak about wayward Israel – and then Chapter 50 is about the servant who is Jesus Christ – who comes to deliver His people.

The servant is saying – God called me before I was born!

In one sense HE had no choice. Israel had no choice – neither had Jesus.

Israel has no choice – and Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Jeremiah speaks about this too.

Paul reveals this in parts of the New Testament.

To know you are called of God – and called by God – when you become aware of that you give thanks that you have no choice – and when we make certain choices, these can be bad choices or choices we later regret.

Ruth Graham said frequently that she gave thanks to God for all the prayers He did not answer – otherwise she would have made a rash choice – and perhaps missed marrying the man God wanted her to marry – Billy Graham.

In the verses that follow we want to ask – Is this referring to Israel or to Jesus the coming Servant?

In verse 2, we see that Jesus was sharp tongued at times.

The Word of God can cut, and can cut very deeply.

Human words can cut and be sore – but there are times when the Word of God can cut more deeply than any other word – but with a purpose which is positive and healing, as God wants to cut out that which is hindering and hampering us.

Selected – prepared – sharpened – polished – Jesus may not look like that to many – but it is true – a picture of Jesus preaching!

Political restoration is not the solution to the human problem – there is not a political solution to a moral problem. Governments can only guide and perhaps forbid, but they have no power – and no ability - to change the human heart.

Verse 3 – Through Jesus, God would be made visible, and God would be glorified. The Father is speaking to Israel – and to the Son who is to come.

Now, that should have happened through Israel, but it needed Jesus. Israel had failed God. They had rebelled against God and God would send Jesus into the world to put all that right.

Verse 4 describes something of the humanity of Jesus, and the discouragement which even he would have to face. Jesus knew discouragement, but He looked to His Father for His reward and for fruit.

Now is my soul troubled. His soul was exceedingly troubled. These verses in John Chapter 12 have been so relevant to me personally – especially when preparing to go to Uganda and Kenya.

Verses 5,6 – not only would Jesus bring Israel back to God, but Jesus would also bring the nations of the world to come to know the living God.

His ministry is about taking broken people – and bringing them home.

Is this not fulfilled in the parable of what is called The Prodigal Son? It really is the prodigal father and the wayward son who sees the foolishness of his ways.

Jesus is going to do that for the Gentiles.

Verse 6 is quoted so many times – Simeon in Luke Chapter 2 – Simeon knew the book of Isaiah. Every time the Jews refused to listen to Paul, Paul would go next door and preach to the Gentiles, and so often he preached from Isaiah.

Augustine – “The new is in the Old concealed – the Old is in the New revealed.”

God will never abandon His people – no matter how much they fail to live up to His intention and plans.

He has a purpose for each one of his servants – from the moment of our conception – even though for a time that can be hidden. Once we are called by God, we remain one of His servants.

“Lord, help me to fulfil Your purpose for my life.”

God had a people – a nation – to reach out to others. That did not work.

God then sends Jesus to rescue those in peril and in pain.

God has a people called the church – a group of individuals who are called to reach out to others. God is always so interested in people!

“Lord, show me my part in the mission You have planned.”

“Lord Jesus – You have a work for me to do – show me what that work is – show me where and how You want me to serve – usefully and practically – fulfilling Your perfect will – lead me and guide me and direct my path. Amen.”

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

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