Isaiah 49:6

The *Lord has an even greater task for Isaiah. He is to tell all nations that the *Lord can rescue every person from the result of an evil life.

• Similar words describe God’s double purpose for his special Servant and for Cyrus. God intends them to spread his ‘light’ to the whole world (see Isaiah 42:6). And to everybody in the world (see Isaiah 48:20).

• God’s ‘light’ is a word picture. It means a clear knowledge of God’s purposes.

God will rescue his people

v7 (These are the words of the *Lord. It is he who defends Israel. He is Israel’s Holy God. The *Lord is speaking to his Servant.)

‘Other people consider you to be of no value. Other nations hate you. Rulers make your people to become slaves. But the day is coming when even kings will stand in your honour. And princes will kneel in front of you. Because the *Lord remains true to his word. He is the Holy God of Israel. He has chosen you to be his special people.’