Reconciliation and Restoration (49:1–55:13)

49:1–13 · The Servant of the Lord: These verses portray the various characteristics of the servant of God and call on the nations to pay attention to the servant even though he is despised by them.The servant of God is not to be judged by his present or past status but rather by his election (49:1–6). Yahweh himself has called and named his servant. The prophet intimates that there is a twofold purpose in the servant’s calling. On the one hand, he is to proclaim the word, which the prophet likens to a “sharpened sword.” On the other hand, he is to be like a “polished arrow” (49:2). The sword speaks of the prophetic ministry in which the servant, filled by the word of the Lord, speaks that word, which is able to penetrate the hearts and souls of pe…