Christ, being sent to the Jews, complaineth of them: he is sent to the Gentiles with gracious promises. God's love is constant to the faithful. The ample restoration of the church. The powerful deliverance out of captivity.
Before Christ 712.
THE fifth, last, and most excellent part of Isaiah's prophesies begins, according to Vitringa's division, at this chapter, and is divided into five discourses; the first of which is contained in chap. Isaiah 49:1 to Isaiah 50:3. The second in chap. Isaiah 1:4, &c. and chap. 51. The third in chap. 52-60. The fourth in chap. Isaiah 61-62. The fifth in chap. 63-66. The first discourse consists of three parts, which contain as many apostrophes or addresses; the first apostrophe or address is of the Messiah, Jesus the great teacher and Saviour, to the Gentiles; wherein we have first an exordium, calling upon the Gentiles to listen and attend; Isaiah 49:1. Secondly, a description of his person, and of the office to which he was appointed of his Father, by a solemn vocation: middle of Isaiah 49:1-3. A complaint of the small success of his function among the Jews, Isaiah 49:4 and an enarration of the great plan of redemption, whereby he was constituted the Teacher and Saviour, not only of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles; Isaiah 49:5-6. The second address is of the Father to the Messiah, considered either in himself, or in his mystical body, the church of the believing Jews, at the beginning of the Gospel; wherein we have, first, a consolatory proposition, comforting him, in his state of humiliation, with the certainty of the glory to follow it, Isaiah 49:7. Secondly, a setting forth of the proposition, wherein the magnificent promise concerning the glorious state and great success of the Gospel is delivered more at large, Isaiah 49:8-9 and the state of the people, joined to the church from among the Gentiles, as well as their continual increase, is described; middle of Isaiah 49:9-12. A congratulatory epiphonema from a chorus of believers is subjoined here, Isaiah 49:13. The third address is of God the Father, by his Spirit, to the whole body of the church, afflicted and persecuted at the beginning of the Gospel; wherein we have, first, a complaint of the church, as if neglected by God; Isaiah 49:14. Secondly, a gracious and consolatory reply from God, adapted to this complaint; first, general, wherein God assures her of his true and singular regard, Isaiah 49:15-16.; secondly, particular, wherein God informs her of the great and wonderful increase of her state, which should follow in a short time: this is comprehended in various articles: Isaiah 49:17-23. The prophet then answers an objection which might be raised against this comfort, from the power of Satan, and the extent of his empire in the world; Isaiah 49:24-26 and also a second objection concerning the divorcement of the synagogue, together with the destruction of the Jewish state by the Romans: chap. Isaiah 50:1-3. From this analysis, from the preceding prophesies, and from a view of the gospel-history, this last part of the book of Isaiah will be easily understood. We may just remark, however, as a general observation, that in speaking of the redemption by the Messiah, and the prosperous or afflicted state of the Christian church, the prophet frequently uses expressions taken from the redemption of the Jews from the Babylonish captivity, and the state of the church about the time of Antiochus Epiphanes.