Isaiah 49 - Light, Liberty, and Love to All Nations

LINK: Isaiah 49

BACKGROUND

The next nine chapters (49-57) deal with the restoration that will come about by the suffering Servant. Isaiah 49-50 will deal with this Servant, rejected by His people, who will take salvation to the Gentiles.

The Servant addresses the nations that did not know Israel's God (Gentiles). He explains His threefold ministry of bringing:

1) Light in the Darkness (49:1-7) 

2) Liberty to the Captives (49:8-13) 

3) Love and Hope to the Discouraged (49:14-50:3)

It may be confusing, but the Messiah is called "Israel" in 49:3 because the Jewish nation had failed to be a light to the nations. Jesus accomplished the work that the chosen people had failed to do.

Many commentators believe this large return was not the small band that returned from the Babylonian Captivity and is Israel's return at the beginning of the Millennium.

The result of all of this will be that . . .

All flesh will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior
And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. 
(Isaiah 49:26)

And we all know who this is: JESUS!

REFLECTION

Only God's Servant could bring the Gentiles "near" (Ephesians 2:11-13). Christ was the fulfillment of God's promise that His grace, hope, and light would extend to the Gentiles (Romans 15:8-12). Unless you are of Jewish heritage, you are one of those who was "formerly far off" and has been "brought near" by the blood of Christ. Praise God for this!

Today, the church is God's light in the dark world (Acts 13:46-49; Matthew 5:14-16), but here is a fact that might startle you:

95% of all missions giving is going to the 60% of the world that has churches that are capable of reaching their own people. That leaves 5% of all missions resources going to the 40% of the world that is unreached with the Gospel. We're not saying that we need to give less to our churches or places where cross-cultural ministry is not necessary. We just need to be more strategic in our giving and sending more finances to church planting efforts among unreached people groups.

What is an Unreached People Group?

An unreached people group is an identifiable group of people distinguished by a distinct culture, language, or social class who lack a community of Christians able to evangelize the rest of the people group without outside help. The only opportunity for the people group to hear about salvation is through an external witness. (www.globalfrontiermissions.org)

Here is the bottom line: Of the 16,804 people groups in the world, only 5% of all missions funding is going to the 7,290 people groups (43%) who remain unreached.   Isn't that amazing?

APPLICATION

Meditate on Ephesians 2 and the wonderful truth that you have been "brought near" to God through Christ. Let it lead you into praise and thanksgiving to God.

If you want to understand more about the biblical basis behind reaching unreached people groups, see this excellent transcript of a sermon by John Piper at Desiring God (If you don't want to read the whole thing, read his conclusions). It is very thorough!

Do you pray and/or give toward reaching the unreached peoples of the world. Do you need to make some changes in your priorities in these areas?

Ask God if He might have you GO to an unreached people! Maybe a short-term would be a good place to start. Make sure it is an unreached people group though. Most short-term trips go to reached places. If you are interested, I would LOVE to talk to you about that!

PRAYER

Lord, we praise You as a God of light, liberty, and love to all the nations of the world. Show us what part You would have us play in Your plan for the nations. Help us to step into Your story (HIStory) in a way that would bring You glory and honor and praise from ALL peoples. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.