Isaiah 49:6 … A Light to the Nations (12/02/16)
“I will give you as a Light to the nations; that my Salvation may reach to the ends of the Earth.” ~ unknown (Isaiah 49:6)
I have three observations of note regarding this particular Scripture …
First, this verse comes from the portion of the book of Isaiah known by biblical scholars as “Isaiah II” (the portion of Isaiah that was written by the second of Isaiah’s three authors, comprising chapters 40-55 of that scroll), which just so happened to be one of Jesus’ favorite (or at the very least most often quoted) Old Testament works. In essence, if Jesus carried around any Scripture to help motivate his ministry or catalyze his Calling, then Isaiah II would have been the scroll in his back pocket. It is from Isaiah II that we hear “make straight the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3), and “Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10), and “I will give you as a Light to the nations” (Isaiah 49:6), and “Do not fear the reproach of others, and do not be dismayed when they revile you” (Isaiah 51:7), and “How beautiful are the feet of the messenger who announces peace; he who brings good news and who announces salvation” (Isaiah 52:7) . And it is from Isaiah II as well that we hear “but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8).
Second, please note that “the nations” mentioned here implies that this verse is intended for all of humanity (see the 70 nations of humankind mentioned in Genesis 10; the inspiration behind Jesus calling on us to forgive others “70 times 7 times” in Matthew 8:21-22).
And finally, please remember as such that we are all the keepers of the Light herein mentioned – as Jesus intimates elsewhere in the Scriptures with both regularity and vehemence (see John 1, John 3, John 8, John 9, John 12, John 14 et al).
Amen … Let it be so.
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