Isaías 49:1-13

Isaías 49:1-13 . El Siervo de Jehová: su fidelidad en medio del desánimo y el éxito final de su misión

El comienzo del cap. 49 parece marcar un claro avance en el desarrollo de las concepciones del profeta. “Desaparece el tono polémico, las repetidas comparaciones entre Jehová y los ídolos, con los argumentos basados ​​en ellas; el profeta siente que, en estos puntos, ha asegurado suficientemente su posición. Por la misma razón, las alusiones a Ciro y cese también su conquista de Babilonia; eso, igualmente, ahora se da por sentado” (Driver, Isaías 2 , pp.

148 f.). In the remaining discourses (ch. 49 55) the author concentrates his attention almost exclusively on his central message of consolation, and the glorious future in store for Israel. His treatment of this theme moves along two lines, which alternate with each other as the manner of the writer is. The first is represented by the idea of the Servant of the Lord, the second by the figure of Zion, both being personifications, although in very different senses, of the people of Israel (see on ch.

Isaías 40:1). The Servant represents the ideal Israel as Jehovah's instrument, first, in restoring the unity and prosperity of the nation, and second, in extending the knowledge of God to the nations of the world. Zion, on the other hand, is the representative of Israel in its passive aspect, as deserted and humbled in the present, but at the same time the recipient of the blessings which accrue from the work and sufferings of the Lord's Servant.

The opening section consists of:

i. A new description of the mission and experience of the Servant of Jehovah (cf. ch. Isaías 42:1-4) in the form of an address by the Servant to the nations (Isaías 49:1). These verses form the second of the four "Servant-passages" which occur in the book.

ii. A promise of speedy restoration to Israel, obviously based on the preceding description (Isaías 49:7).

iii. A hymn of gratitude to Jehovah, called forth as usual by the prospect of deliverance (Isaías 49:13).