Isaias 49:1-3, 5-7
Give ear, ye islands, and harken, ye people from afar. The Lord hath called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother He hath been mindful of my name. Arid He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand He hath protected me, and hath made me as a chosen arrow; in His quiver He hath hidden me. And He said to me: Thou art My servant Israel, for in thee will I glory. And now saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be His servant: Behold I have given thee to be the light of the Gentiles, that thou mayest be My salvation even to the farthest part of the earth. Kings shall see, and princes shall rise up, and adore for the Lord’s sake, and for the Holy One of Israel Who hath chosen thee.
Haydock
Verse 1. Give. This fresh discourse continues to C. lvi. 9. relating to the Messias, who is introduced speaking to all the world. Acts xiii. 47. and 2 Cor. vi. 2. Some apply a part to Cyrus, Isaias, or the Baptist, as to his figures. C. — The prophet has foretold the conversion of the Gentiles, as he now does, like an evangelist. S. Jer. — Many Jews will embrace the gospel at the end of time. W.
Verse 2. Sword, penetrating the very soul, (Heb. iv. 12.) and slaying the wicked. Apoc. i. 16. and 2 Thess. ii. 8. Without Christ, his ministers can apply this sword to little purpose. Cyrus cut asunder the bonds of the captives by his decree. C. — Grotius improperly explains all of Isaias. Houbigant.
Verse 3. Glory. In the Church, God is adored in spirit and truth. Isaias is ordered thus to address the Israelites.
Verse 5. Will not. Heb. Sept. &c. “to be gathered.” H. — The original text, independent of the Masorets, may have the sense of the Vulg. Yet there are other proofs of the synagogue’s rejection. C. — Prot. “though Israel be not gathered, yet,” &c. Margin, or “that Israel may be gathered, and I may,” &c. H.
Verse 6. Earth. S. Paul, explains this of Christ, (Acts xiii.) who said, Go teach all nations. Mat. xxviii. Isaias was one of his first preachers.
Verse 7. Despised, Christ, Cyrus, or Isaias; though it refer chiefly to our Saviour.