A Light To The Gentiles

Isaiah 49:1-7

As we start a new week, our first Lectionary Scripture this Sunday is from Isaiah 49:1-7.  Jesus, the Messiah, was chosen before He was even born, to bring the light of the Gospel to the world.  That message is one of salvation to anyone who believes in and calls upon Him.  (Acts 13:47).  This was to all nations, not just to Jews only.

Though the apostles and some other believing Jews did witness to Gentiles, many believing Jews opposed giving the message to Gentiles, or at the very least, wanted to lay the heavy burden of keeping the Law of Moses on them.  Even non-believing Jews opposed the idea of the message of salvation  going to Gentiles.

Opening salvation to Gentiles, though, had been God’s plan all along, as we see here in Isaiah, in verse 6.  The people of Israel had wandered far away from Him, and He wished to restore them.  The Lord also sought to bring the Gentiles into His fold.

In verse 2 the Messiah-Servant had the power to speak effectively, as many of the people testified to during His ministry.  His Word, the Bible, is sharper than a two-edged sword.  A double-edged sword can cut, no matter which direction it is being wielded.  That is what His Word is.  Heb. 4:12.  We need to be sure that we are effectively using His Word when we put on our spiritual armor as listed in Eph. 6:13-18.