In one of Isaiah’s most striking oracles he describes the Messiah, the Servant of the Lord. He begins by pointing out that the Lord had called, named, and formed the Messiah in his mother’s womb (Isaiah 49:1, 5): thus the plan of God was in place before the Messiah was born.

Isaiah then offers us three unexpected contrasts. First, the Messiah is identified as Israel (49:3), but is also revealed as the one who comes to redeem Israel (49:5). This is significant: as we have seen throughout the biblical books, but especially in Isaiah, Israel is a sinful nation that cannot redeem itself (1:4, 21; 5:18-23; 10:1-3; and many more). So the Messiah is, in some sense, the one who represents Israel; at the same time he is the one God sends to redeem Israel.

Second, the Messiah appears to fail, and yet succeeds: “I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity’ ” (49:4); yet God will be glorified in the Messiah (49:3), the Messiah has a reward (49:4), the Messiah is honored and strengthened by God (49:5). So we should understand that although it will appear that the Messiah’s mission has come to nothing, nevertheless it will turn out that his purpose has been accomplished.

Third, the Messiah comes to redeem not only Israel, but all the world. God declares, “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth” (49:6). Thus, many centuries before the time of Jesus, Isaiah had already seen the vision of God’s saving love for all people everywhere.

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We worship you, O Lord, for your redeeming love for Israel and for all the world. You established your plan in ancient days; you accomplished your purpose through your chosen Messiah; and you have made your salvation reach to the ends of the earth. We give you thanks forever!