I Shall Be Glorious in the Eyes of the LORD

Text: Isaiah 49
21 August 2016

A SHARP CONTRAST

1. Between Two Servants of God

2. Between Israel and the Messiah

ISRAEL AS A SERVANT OF THE LORD

1. God’s declaration

“You are My servant, O Israel”   Isaiah 49:3

2. Israel’s despair

“I have laboured in vain
I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain”   Isaiah 49:4
a) Discouragement
b) Disillusionment
c) Despair

3. Israel’s continued despair

“The LORD has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me”   Isaiah 49:14
a) Darkness of unbelief
b) Deep and persistent unbelief
c) Deadly estrangement from the Lord

THE MESSIAH AS A SERVANT OF THE LORD

1. The Calling of God greatly understood

“The LORD has called Me from the womb; from the matrix of My mother, He has made mention of My name”   Isaiah 49:1
a) Called
b) Chosen   (Isaiah 49:7)

2. The Training of the Lord greatly appreciated

a) He has made My mouth a sharp sword   (Isaiah 49:2a)
b) In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me   (Isaiah 49:2b)
c) And made Me a polished shaft In His quiver
He has hidden Me   (Isaiah 49:2c)

3. The Work of the LORD God comprehended

a) Formed Me to be His Servant   (Isaiah 49:5a)
b) To bring Jacob back to Him   (Isaiah 49:5c)
c) To be a light to the Gentiles   (Isaiah 49:6d)
d) To be God’s salvation to the ends of the earth   (Isaiah 49:6e)

4. The Promises of God treasured

a) I have heard You   (Isaiah 49:8a)
b) I have helped You   (Isaiah 49:8b)
c) I have preserved You   (Isaiah 49:8c)
d) I give You as a covenant to the people   (Isaiah 49:8d)

A WONDERFUL PERSPECTIVE

1. Glorious

“I shall be glorious in the sight of the LORD”   Isaiah 49:5

2. Strength

“And My God shall be My strength”   Isaiah 49:5