Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7

Aim: To remind the pupil that God has chosen to offer salvation through Christ to all men. Although the Jewish nation rejected Christ, God has sent the message of salvation to the Gentiles so that all who will believe on Christ shall be saved, both Jews and Gentiles.

Golden Text: “Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel and he shall choose thee” (Isaiah 49:7).

This lesson focuses upon the Messiah of God to men. In this passage we are informed that the Redeemer of Israel will turn to the Gentiles with the message of salvation. When Israel refuses to accept the Messiah, God turns to the Gentiles with the message of Salvation. Not only the Jews may be delivered from their sins, the Gentiles may as well. Praise be unto our God!

I. Note that it is the Messiah (Jesus Christ) who is speaking. He has a divine call from the Lord, Jehovah God (vs. 1). God has made his mouth a sharp sword (vs. 2, God’s word is a sword!). God has made Jesus a “polished shaft” of an arrow to accomplish God’s will (vs. 2). The Messiah was rejected by the Jews. Messiah, Jesus Christ, spent His life’s ministry among the Jews, who refused to accept Him as their God (vs. 4). The Messiah turned to the Gentiles and offered to them salvation, the same salvation He had offered to the Jews (vs. 5-6). The emphasis here is on Messiah Himself, upon His call to take salvation to the Jews, who rejected Him, and the Gentiles.

II. Messiah was called “from the womb” to be the Savior of men and was acknowledged, even before birth, as the promised Redeemer and Savior of men. He had upon Him a divine call to the work (vs. 1). His mouth was a “sharp sword” to carry the Word of God to men (vs. 2). He was under the power (hid in His hand) and protection (a polished shaft-arrow) of divine choosing (vs. 2). Messiah is the Servant of God, and He will glorify God (vs. 3). Israel is called upon to be a witness to this truth!

Messiah labored among the Jews “in vain” (vs. 4). What a picture of the refusal of the Jews to allow Christ to be their Savior and King! He who created the universe—among men was rejected and crucified in anger and arrogance! He labored faithfully for God but was rejected and crucified (vs. 4). God the Father was well pleased with Christ, but the Jews were incensed (vs. 4).

Even if Israel refused to be gathered to Messiah, Messiah will still be glorious in the eyes of many (vs. 5). He is glorified in the eyes of His Father. He is strengthened by His Father (vs. 5). He is “well pleasing” to the Father though rejected by Israel!

III. Messiah is sent to the Gentiles in order to save them (vs. 6). There will come a time in the future when Messiah will again raise up the tribes of Israel (they shall believe on Him, vs. 6). In the mean time, Jehovah God has sent Jesus Christ to be a Light unto the Gentiles and to offer salvation to the “ends of the earth” (vs. 6).

Oh, the joy of those who have heard and believed! Christ died for sinners. Christ calls all sinners to come to Him, repent of their sins, and receive Him as their Savior from sin. Paul wrote in Romans nine through 11 discussing the rejection of Jesus by the Jews and the offering of salvation to the Gentiles. Now, whoever will receive Christ will be saved from their sins and the awful penalty of eternal death. All believers will become Children of God through faith in Christ and be assigned an eternal home with Him.

Praise the Lord! Salvation is for all who will receive Jesus Christ. Have you done so yet?