Isaiah, Chapter 49, verses 1-6
1 Christ, being sent to the Jews, complaineth of them, 5 He is sent to the Gentiles, with gracious promisesActs of the Apostles, Chapter 13, verses 22-26
14 Paul preacheth at Antioch that Jesus is Christ13
13:22 Having removed him - Hence they might understand that the dispensations of God admit of various changes. I have found David, a man after my own heart - This expression is to be taken in a limited sense. David was such at that time, but not at all times. And he was so, in that respect, as he performed all God's will, in the particulars there mentioned: But he was not a man after God's own heart, in other respects, wherein he performed his own will. In the matter of Uriah, for instance, he was as far from being a man after God's own heart as Saul himself was.It is therefore a very gross, as well as dangerous mistake, to suppose this is the character of David in every part of his behaviour. We must beware of this, unless we would recommend adultery and murder as things after God's own heart. Act 16:12-13.
13:24 John having first preached - He mentions this, as a thing already known to them. And so doubtless it was. For it gave so loud an alarm to the whole Jewish nation, as could not but be heard of in foreign countries, at least as remote as Pisidia.
13:25 His course - His work was quickly finished, and might therefore well be termed a course or race. Luk 3:16.
Luke, Chapter 1, verses 57-66, 80
57 The nativity and circumcision of John, 67 The prophecy of Zachary both of Christ, 76 and of John1
1:60 His mother said - Doubtless by revelation, or a particular impulse from God.
1:66 The hand of the Lord - The peculiar power and blessing of God.
49 Christ, being sent to the Jews complains of them, Isa 49:1-4.
He is sent to the Gentiles with gracious promises, Isa 49:5-12.
God's love to his church perpetual, Isa 49:13-17.
The ample restoration of the church, and its enlargement, Isa 49:18-23.
Its powerful deliverance out of captivity, Isa 49:24-26.
49:1 Listen - God turns his speech to the Gentiles, and invites them to hearken to those counsels and doctrines which the Jews would reject. Me - Unto Christ: Isaiah speaks these words in the name of Christ.
49:2 A sword - As he made me the great teacher of his church, so he made my word, quick and powerful, and sharper than any two - edged sword.Hath he hid - He will protect me from all mine enemies. Made me - Like an arrow, whose point is bright and polished; which therefore pierceth deeper.
49:3 O Israel - As the name of David is sometimes given to his successors, so here the name of Israel may not unfitly be given to Christ, not only because he descended from his loins; but also because he was the true and the great Israel, who, in a more eminent manner, prevailed with God, as that name signifies, of whom Jacob, who was first called Israel, was but a type.
49:4 Then said I - Lord, thou sayest thou wilt be glorified by my ministry; but I find it otherwise. In vain - Without any considerable fruit of my word and works among the Israelites. My judgment - My right, the reward which by his promise, and my purchase, is my right.
49:5 To bring - To convert the apostate Israelites to God.Not gathered - Not brought home to God by my ministry. Yet - God will not despise me for the unsuccessfulness of my labours, but will honour and glorify me. My strength - To support and strengthen me under this and all other discouragements.
49:6 He - The Lord. It is - This is but a small favour.The tribes - That remnant of them which shall survive all their calamities. My salvation - The great instrument and author of that eternal salvation which I will give to the Gentiles.