Sabbath, December 28 – Psalm 135, Isaiah 49

1. What is the purpose of the Lord for His Servant? (Isaiah 49:6)

2. How does Psalm 135:4 describe Israel’s relationship with the Lord?

3. How does Psalm 135:6 describe the Lord’s power?

Commentary and Reflection:

Starting in Isaiah 49, the prophet shifts from the topic of Cyrus’s conquests to focus on “the Servant of the Lord.” When the title “Servant of the Lord” is mentioned in many passages, it refers to the people of Israel, as seen in Isaiah 41:9 and Isaiah 42:19-20.

However, “Servant” also applies to Christ, as in Isaiah 49:5-6.

The Andrews Study Bible provides this commentary on this passage:

“The mission of the Servant as the restorer of the survivors of Israel shows that this refers to a specific individual, the Messiah, and not to a corporate entity. This mission also includes bringing light to the nations so that divine salvation reaches the ends of the earth (v. 6). Jesus Christ fulfills the divine promise to Abraham that through him and his descendants, all families of the earth would be blessed.” – Andrews Study Bible.

Jesus applied the Servant role to Himself and referenced Isaiah’s prophecy when He said: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 NKJV).

Thus, the title “Servant” can apply to the people of Israel or the Messiah, depending on the context, as in this portion of Isaiah.

Additionally, the name “Israel,” which designates the covenant people, sometimes has a broader application to the Messiah. The Andrews Study Bible explains:

“We will suggest that since the Servant’s mission is to Israel, He cannot be Israel (see commentary on 42:4). In this passage Israel is embodied in this figure called the Servant, and the name functions as a messianic designation fulfilled in Jesus Christ (see “The Servant of the Lord in Isaiah,” p. 885). The passage focuses on how the Lord commissioned His Servant to bring the knowledge of God to the nations. The Servant first acknowledged that the Lord had appointed and equipped Him as His Servant: the Lord’s plan would be glorified in Him (49:3). But in the realization of His mission, He faced disappointment. However, the Servant anticipated success (v. 4).” – Andrews Bible Commentary, Isaiah 49:1-13

Amid trials, God’s people doubted (Isaiah 49:14). Here is the Lord’s response to their doubt:

“Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget,
Yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.” (Isaiah 49:15-16 NKJV).

What a beautiful promise!

“Throughout eternity the nailprints in the hands of Christ will be a perpetual reminder of His love for sinners (see John 15:13).” SDA Bible Commentary, Isaiah 49:16.

When God’s people, who thought they were alone like Elijah, see the multitude of the redeemed, they will exclaim:

“Then you will say in your heart,
‘Who has begotten these for me,
Since I have lost my children and am desolate,
A captive, and wandering to and fro?
And who has brought these up?
There I was, left alone;
But these, where were they?’” (Isaiah 49:21 NKJV).

Chapter 49 concludes with a precious and well-known promise:

“For I will contend with him who contends with you,
And I will save your children.” (Isaiah 49:25 NKJV).

“That is, Zion’s children (see vs. 14–22). Here Isaiah refers specifically to the Hebrew exiles scattered in foreign lands. In common Hebrew usage “children,” literally, “sons,” is synonymous with “descendants.” Isaiah is not speaking particularly of “children” in the sense the English word commonly conveys (2 Kings 2:3, 5, 7, 15; Ps. 149:2; etc.). Those who oppose God and His people will turn against one another (Eze. 38:21; Zech. 14:13), and thus destroy themselves. It is the privilege of parents today to claim for their children the promise here made to ancient Israel, for our little ones are objects of divine love.” – SDA Bible Commentary, Isaiah 49:25.

Regarding Psalm 135, the SDA Bible Commentary notes:

“Ps. 135 is an appeal to praise the Lord, because of what He has done for His people and because of what He is to His people. The first section (vs. 1–14) contains an exhortation to praise the Lord for His goodness. This is followed by a denunciation of idols and a further exhortation to bless the name of God (vs. 15–21).” – SDA Bible Commentary, Introduction to Psalm 135.

Verse 18 reminds us that we become like what we worship. Let us worship the Lord today!