What does God promise Israel in Isaiah 49:6 about the Gentiles?
In Isaiah 49:6, God promises Israel that He will make them a light to the Gentiles, and that through them His salvation will extend to the end of the earth. This confirms Israel's role as a servant to raise up Jacob's tribes and restore preserved Israel, while also bringing light to Gentile nations.
Les explains that in Isaiah 49:6, God is speaking directly to Israel, the nation. He first tells Israel it is a light thing to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the preserved of Israel, but then adds, "I will also give you for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation to the end of the earth." Les emphasizes that the "you" is Israel, not someone else, showing God's plan for Israel to be a channel of light and salvation to the Gentile world. This follows the earlier Isaiah 42:1 promise that the Messiah would bring forth judgment or rule to the Gentiles.
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 speaking in Isaiah 49:6?
Les teaches that in Isaiah 49:6, God is speaking. The verse says, "And he, that is, God, 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." Les notes that God is speaking to the nation, the tribes, and says, "I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles... that thou mayest be my salvation to the ends of the earth." Les explains this was the whole idea of the priesthood of Israel, to be the go-between to bring salvation to the pagan Gentiles.
Who is God talking to in Isaiah 49:6?
In Isaiah 49:6, when God says 'thee', He is talking to the tribes of Jacob, that is, the nation of Israel.
What does Isaiah 49:6 say about being a light to the Gentiles?
In Isaiah 49:6, God's servant is not only to restore the preserved of Israel to the kingdom but is also given as a light to the Gentiles, so that he may be God's salvation to the end of the earth.