Isaiah 49

The Servant Called from the Womb

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. Isaiah 49:1–3

The Servant speaks: he was named before his birth, and his word is like a sharp sword. Jesus was named by an angel before he was born, and the risen Christ is shown with a sharp sword coming from his mouth. As the perfect Israel, he is the one in whom the Father is glorified.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 21:1-3 — Nephi's version begins by addressing scattered Israel.
• fulfilled by Luke 1:31 — Before his birth: "thou ... shalt call his name JESUS."
• fulfilled by Revelation 1:16 — "Out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword."
• fulfilled by John 17:4 — "I have glorified thee on the earth."

The Servant Who Gathers Jacob

Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God. Isaiah 49:4–5

The Servant feels his work among Israel has failed, yet he trusts the Father and keeps his mission to bring Jacob back. Jesus came to his own and was rejected by many, but he trusted his Father and will still gather Israel.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 21:4-5 — The same passage in Nephi's record.
• fulfilled by John 1:11 — "He came unto his own, and his own received him not."

Light 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. Isaiah 49:6

Saving Israel is not enough; the Father will make his Servant a light to the Gentiles and his salvation to the ends of the earth. Christ's gospel is for every nation.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 21:6 — The same verse in Nephi's record.
• fulfilled by Luke 2:32 — "A light to lighten the Gentiles."
• quoted by Acts 13:47 — Paul and Barnabas quote this verse as their commission to the Gentiles.
• the same title in Isaiah 42:6 — "For a light of the Gentiles."

Redeemer of Israel, Holy One

Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. Isaiah 49:7

Isaiah's titles Redeemer of Israel and Holy One of Israel appear twice in this verse. The Book of Mormon identifies the Holy One of Israel as Jesus Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 2 Nephi 25:29 — "Christ is the Holy One of Israel."

The Despised Servant

Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. Isaiah 49:7

The Servant will be despised and hated by his own nation and subject to rulers, yet kings will one day bow to him. Jesus was rejected and killed, but he will be worshipped by the kings of the earth.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 21:7 — The same verse in Nephi's record.
• the same title in Isaiah 53:3 — "He is despised and rejected of men."
• the same title in Isaiah 52:15 — "The kings shall shut their mouths at him."

Covenant of the People, Liberator of Prisoners

Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; Isaiah 49:8–9

The Father will make his Servant a covenant for the people, and the Servant will tell the prisoners to come out. Christ freed us from sin, and he opened the prison of spirits who had died.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 21:8-9 — The same passage in Nephi's record.
• quoted by 2 Corinthians 6:2 — Paul quotes verse 8: "now is the day of salvation."
• fulfilled by D&C 138:18 — The Son of God declares liberty to the captives in the spirit world.
• the same title in Isaiah 42:6-7 — A covenant of the people, bringing prisoners out of the prison.

The Merciful Shepherd

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. Isaiah 49:10

"He that hath mercy on them" leads his people to springs of water like a shepherd. John uses these words for the Lamb, who shepherds the saved in heaven.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 21:10 — The same verse in Nephi's record.
• quoted by Revelation 7:16-17 — "They shall hunger no more ... the Lamb ... shall lead them unto living fountains of waters."

The LORD Comforts His People

Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. Isaiah 49:13

The heavens and earth are told to sing because the LORD comforts and has mercy on his suffering people. That is the Savior's work.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 21:13 — Nephi's version adds "for the feet of those who are in the east shall be established."

Graven upon the Palms of My Hands

But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Isaiah 49:14–16

Zion thinks the Lord has forgotten her, but he loves her more than a mother loves her baby: "I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." Latter-day Saints see in this the nail prints in the Savior's hands, a lasting sign that he remembers those he died for.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 21:14-16 — Nephi's version adds "O house of Israel."
• alluded to by D&C 6:37 — "Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet."
• alluded to by 3 Nephi 11:14-15 — The Nephites feel the prints of the nails in his hands.
• the same title in Zechariah 13:6 — "What are these wounds in thine hands?"

They That Wait for Me

Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. Isaiah 49:22–23

The Lord raises a banner to the Gentiles to gather Israel, and those who wait for him will not be ashamed. Jacob explains that the people of the Lord are those who wait for the coming of the Messiah.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 21:22-23 — The same passage in Nephi's record.
• quoted by 2 Nephi 6:6-7 — Jacob quotes these verses.
• interpreted by 2 Nephi 6:13 — "The people of the Lord are they who wait for him; for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah."

Savior, Redeemer, Mighty One of Jacob

Mighty One of Jacob — the strong God who defends Jacob's house

Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? Isaiah 49:24–26

The LORD will rescue captives from the mighty, and everyone will know he is Savior, Redeemer, and the Mighty One of Jacob. Jacob quotes this and says it is fulfilled when the Messiah delivers his covenant people.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in 1 Nephi 21:24-26 — The same passage in Nephi's record.
• quoted by 2 Nephi 6:16-18 — Jacob quotes these verses in his teaching about the Holy One of Israel, who will manifest himself to his people.
• the same title in Genesis 49:24 — "The mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel)."
• the same title in Isaiah 60:16 — "I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob."