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PREPARING FOR THE SERMON

Isaiah 49-50:3

Context: The servant in Isaiah 49 is both said to be Israel

(v. 3) and given to Israel (v. 5). The name Israel was given to Jacob as an individual before being taken as a name for the people group of his descendants. It seems the prophetic entity was to be an individual, not the nation as a whole. Verse 6 also indicates that he was to be a light for the nations. While the national of Israel was to point people to God, the individual would do what had not been done previously. Chapter 49 begins a section that emphasizes the global work of God in bringing salvation.

Structure:

The section is broken down into a series of messages that begin with a call to listen or a declaration that someone says.

49:1-6 - proclamation from the servant

49:7 - message to the servant from God

49:8-13 - message from the Lord

49:14-21 - the people's complaint and God's answer

49:22-26 - message to His people from God

50:1-3 - another message from God

Theology: servant, salvation, plan

Some things to think about:

  • How would you have communicated to people about
  • Jesus before He ever came? How would you describe Who He would be, what He would do, the effect of His life on the world?
  • When are you tempted to think God has forgotten you? How are you assured of His continual presence?