30 January 2001

Text: Isaiah 49

ANOTHER PORTRAIT OF THE MESSIAH-SERVANT
(cf. Isaiah 11, 42)

THE PREPARATION OF THE MESSIAH-SERVANT
1. "From the womb" Isa. 49:1,5
2. "Hidden" Equipping ~ Isa. 49:2
     a) "He has made My mouth like a sharp sword" Isa. 49:2
     b) "And made Me a polished shaft" Isa. 49:2
3. Calling to be God's Servant ~ Isa. 49:3 (cf.. Heb. 5:4-5)

THE SCOPE OF THE MINISTRY OF THE MESSIAH-SERVANT
1. Struggles within the heart of the Messiah-Servant
     a) It all seems to be in vain ~ Isa. 49:4
     b) Faith and trust that the work put in is "with the Lord" ~ Isa. 49:4
2. "To bring Jacob back to Him (God)" Isa. 49:5-6
3. "A Light for the Gentiles" Isa. 49:6
4. "Salvation to the ends of the earth" Isa. 49:6

ENCOURAGEMENT FROM GOD TO THE MESSIAH-SERVANT
1. Some people may despise and abhor ~ Isa. 49:7
2. But some others will see, appreciate and worship ~ Isa. 49:7
3. "He has chosen You" Isa. 49:7
4. "I have heard You…" (Promise to hear prayers) Isa. 49:8
5. "I have helped You…" (Promise of help) Isa. 49:8
6. "I have preserved You" (Promise of protection) Isa. 49:8
7. "I will give you as a Covenant to the People…" Isa. 49:8
     a) To restore the earth (Future)
     b) To cause them to inherit the desolate heritages (future)
8. Assurance of Power for a successful ministry
     a) That You may say to the prisoners, 'Go forth' ~ Isa. 49:9
     b) To those who are in darkness, 'Show yourselves' ~ Isa. 49:9

VISION OF THE KIND OF MINISTRY OF THE MESSIAH
1. They shall be safe and well pastured (cf. John 10)
'They shall feed along the roads, and their pastures shall be on all desolate heights. They shall neither hunger nor thirst; neither heat nor sun shall strike them" Isa. 49:10
2. The Lord will personally shepherd them (cf. Isa. 40:11; Ps. 23)
"He will lead them… He will guide them…" Isa. 49:10
3. God will make His mountains a road…highway ~ Isa. 49:11
4. Many will come to faith in God… as far as Sinim (China) ~ Isa. 49:12

AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO GOD
Joyful praise and worship of God!
"Sing, O Heavens! Be joyful, O Earth!
The Lord has comforted His people" Isa. 49:13 (Isa. 40:1)

THE LAMENT OF ISRAEL
"The Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me" Isa. 49:14

ANSWER TO THIS LAMENT
1. Promise of God "I will not forget you" Isa. 49:15 (Isa. 44:21)
2. "Your destroyers ... shall go away ..." Isa. 49:17
3. Promise of great future restoration, one marked by joy ~ Isa. 49:18
a) Waste places will be inhabited ~ Isa. 49:19
b) "Children" will be restored ~ Isa. 49:20-21
c) God will bring back with honour the children who are scattered ~ Isa. 49:22-23
4. God will personally see to the fulfillment of all His promises ~ Isa. 49:24-26
"I will contend with him who contends with you" Isa. 49:25-26 (Deut. 1:30)
5. God will function as "Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, The Mighty One of Jacob" Isa. 49:26