My Favorite Verses - Vol IV (Nov 16 to Feb 17)

Isaiah 49:6 … A Light to the Nations
(12/02/2016)
“I will give you as a Light to the nations;
that my Salvation may reach to the ends of the Earth.”
~ unknown (Isaiah 49:6)
I have three observations of note regarding this particular Scripture ...
First, this verse comes from the portion of the book of Isaiah known by
biblical scholars as “Isaiah II” (the portion of Isaiah that was written by the second of
Isaiah’s three authors, comprising chapters 40-55 of that scroll), which just so
happened to be one of Jesus’ favorite (or at the very least most often quoted) Old
Testament works. In essence, if Jesus carried around any Scripture to help
motivate his ministry or catalyze his Calling, then Isaiah II would have been the
scroll in his back pocket. It is from Isaiah II that we hear “make straight the way
of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3), and “Do not fear, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10), and
“I will give you as a Light to the nations” (Isaiah 49:6), and “Do not fear the
reproach of others, and do not be dismayed when they revile you” (Isaiah 51:7),
and “How beautiful are the feet of the messenger who announces peace; he who
brings good news and who announces salvation” (Isaiah 52:7) . And it is from
Isaiah II as well that we hear “but
with everlasting love I will have
compassion on you, says the
LORD” (Isaiah 55:8) … Second,
please note that “the nations”
mentioned here implies that this
verse is intended for all of
humanity (see the 70 nations of
humankind mentioned in Genesis 10;
the inspiration behind Jesus calling on
us to forgive others “70 times 7
times” in Matthew 8:21-22) … And
finally, please remember as such
that we are all the keepers of the
Light herein mentioned – as Jesus
intimates elsewhere in the
Scriptures with both regularity and
vehemence (see John 1, John 3, John
8, John 9, John 12, John 14 et al).
Amen ... Let it be so.
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