Who is "thee" in Isaiah 49:6, and what does God promise to give?
In Isaiah 49:6, 'thee' refers to the nation of Israel. God promises to give Israel as a light to the Gentiles, fulfilling His intention that Israel be a nation of go-betweens or priests to funnel salvation into the Gentile world.
Les teaches that Isaiah 49 is where the concept of Israel becoming a nation of go-betweens, or priests, is what God had on His mind. He notes these are valid offers even though God knows the nation will fall far short. In verse 6, God says it is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel. God then says, 'I will also give thee, the nation of Israel, for a light to the Gentiles.' Les connects this to what was read in Exodus: if they are obedient to the Law, the covenant God is giving them at Mount Sinai, there is a role for them sometime down the road to funnel salvation into the Gentile world.
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
More Questions
Who is God speaking to in Isaiah 49:6 when He says 'I will give thee for a light to the Gentiles'?
In Isaiah 49:6 the servant called 'thee' whom God gives as a light to the Gentiles is the nation of Israel, whose task was to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the preserved of Israel.
In Isaiah 49:6, who is the servant given to as a light?
In Isaiah 49:6, God says he will make his servant 'a light to the Gentiles' so that the servant brings God's salvation to the end of the earth.
Why is the word 'also' important in Isaiah 49:6?
The word 'also' in Isaiah 49:6 is important because it shows that God's servant would be a light to the Gentiles in addition to restoring Israel.