" Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” But I said, “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” And now the Lord says— he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength— he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”" (Isaiah 49:1-6, NIV)
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984
In this passage we see an exhortation to all the people of the Earth to listen and to hear. The islands represent the Gentiles and 'distant nations' represent those people who live a great distance from God's chosen people. I believe that the 'distance' in this passage refers not only to a geographic distance but also a distance in time. Thus, I believe this passage is referring not only to the people of the time in which it was written but also to you and me today.
There is a recurring theme that is reflected in the start of today's passage, that of listening to God. I don't mean the mindless listening as we do when driving with the radio on but rather active listening, hearing, taking to heart and allowing what we have heard to shape our thoughts and actions.
The second half of the first verse identifies the speaker for our benefit; it is The Christ who was promised and called before he was ever born. Throughout scripture we see the unfolding realization of the promise of a Messiah and his name was known prior to his becoming flesh.
The passage continues (v2) with a statement of the power of Christ (the speaker) and of his word. More specifically, the power of the sword to visit destruction upon the disobedient through the final judgment of the unrepentant. And also the power of the arrow to pierce the heart; this I believe is a reference to the manner in which Christ pricks the heart of the sinner such that they come to know him as their Lord and Savior.
The speaker then identifies himself (v3) as Israel, not the nation itself but the image of what it could have become had the people of that nation remained faithful. And the purpose is revealed as that of a servant and the vessel through which God's splendor will be revealed to all. Of course, it is also true that Jesus was an Israelite and in this manner, the entire Jewish nation was His servant and it is by Christ's birth into that lineage that God displayed His splendor.
Yet, the speaker is not without eyes and cannot help but note that all his labors and his sufferings are wasted upon God's chosen people. This is a foretelling of how Christ will be ignored, marginalized and murdered by his own people. With respect to them, his efforts are indeed wasted. Yet not all is lost for there is still a reward that God provides in season and this I believe is a reference to the reconciliation of the Gentiles unto God through Christ the Son. The fact of the matter is that no matter how people responded to Christ's labor of love, his obedience to the Father is rewarded by the Father. This is an important point for the evangelical worker to remember, that though none may answer the call that he perpetuates, the reward is for obedience.
The passage continues (v5) by establishing the authority of the Lord by his power of creation and the assignment of purpose. Christ was formed in the womb as a servant for the express purpose of fulfilling God's promise to the Jews that they, and all their ancestors be reconciled to God, 'gathered to himself' as it were. The image that I get in my mind is that of a rancher. The rancher owns the herds and flocks and as they are scattered across the pastures, he sends his servant, the shepherd, to collect them all back together and to return them to the safety of the barn.
Through obedience and submission (to God) the servant (Christ) is honored in the sight of God. All the while his (Christ's) work is accomplished not by his own strength but by relying on God and His limitless strength.
Nevertheless, God knew that the Israelites would not respond and in v6, the importance of Christ's role is expanded beyond the reconciliation of the Jews but to include all the people of the Earth. Further, that his ministry should not be confined to the geographical boundaries of what we know to be the Middle East but that the word of Christ and by him the salvation offered by God should be distributed to the very ends of the Earth; everywhere and every when.
Now, as a disciple of Christ, I have been created to live a life in emulation of Him. And in this I accept the responsibility to continue His ministry and to carry His name and His love to those both near and far. Being a Gentile, I am keenly aware of the gift which has been given to me and I understand that I can multiply that gift by giving it to others. Thus, I go to Guatemala to be a light to the nations. This I do not of my own strength but in complete surrender and dependence upon God. Though I do not seek honor in the eyes of God for my obedience, I know that in season, God will reward my obedience according to His riches in Christ Jesus.
My prayer is that I will be salt on the tongues of those to whom I minister that they might thirst for the living water of Jesus. And that my actions will be a light unto those who stumble in the darkness of this world.
Shalom,
Carl
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment