Isaiah 49:2, commentary and pictures

The servant is called from the womb and named before birth, appointed from the beginning for his task. His mouth is made like a sharp sword, which is powerful and piercing speech given to him as a weapon and message. Being made a polished shaft and hidden in the shadow of God's hand and in His quiver means he is sheltered, protected, prepared, and kept ready until the appointed time for his work comes. His work belongs to God's purpose to restore Israel and to bring salvation to the nations as a light to the Gentiles unto the end of the earth. That same preparation applies to yielded people and ministers today, whom God makes ready as polished instruments for earnest, useful service in proclaiming the warning message and bringing souls out of darkness.

Servant Prepared and Protected

The servant is called from the womb, named before birth, and appointed from the beginning for his appointed task and work. His mouth is made like a sharp sword, which is powerful and piercing speech given to him as a weapon, a powerful message for his work. This equipping shows a demanding work and special trust, not a light responsibility.

To be hidden in the shadow of the hand and hidden in the quiver, and to be made a polished shaft or arrow, is to be sheltered, protected, prepared, polished, and kept ready by God under His protection until the appointed time for work comes. Those so prepared are brought into channels where God's light shines and are entrusted with special service and sacred responsibilities. Such a trust calls for a strong sense of responsibility and devotion, and for conduct worthy of it.

The verse is directed as a word to those who claim to respect the law of Jehovah. It describes part of the way by which Christlike attributes of character may be obtained. The following words identify the servant as one in whom God will be glorified. The verse is pointed to as part of its chapter to be read, without separate explanation of this verse itself.

Mission Foretold and Applied

The servant's work belongs to God's purpose to restore Israel and to bring salvation to the nations as a light to the Gentiles unto the end of the earth. Isaiah 48 and 49 set forth the work of God's messengers today, and ministers are to read them prayerfully to learn what it means to keep the lamp trimmed and burning. They are to confine themselves to the ministry of the Word, to pray much and meditate on the Word, and to serve as a covenant of the people to bring prisoners out of darkness.

The chapter shows the work God's people are to do in proclaiming the message, reaching people in the cities, and saving souls. The verse foretells the great and solemn work of presenting the warning message to the world, giving people the reason for belief. Opportunities such as camp meetings are to be used to give the desired information.

Applied to those connected with God's appointed institutions, the verse presents them as brought into channels where God's light shines and entrusted with sacred responsibilities and special service. Such a trust calls for a strong sense of responsibility and devotion, with service treated as weighty and conduct worthy of the trust. Applied to ministers of God's word, the verse shows a demanding work and special trust, not a light responsibility, calling them to serve Christ with devotion and to seek to offer perfect service.

The image of a polished shaft or instrument applies to yielded people whom God makes ready for His use and glory. So yielded, a life is made powerful, earnest, simple, and useful in His hands for saving souls for whom Christ died. The keeping of the servant as an arrow in the quiver is illustrated when Wycliffe's words, empowered by the Holy Spirit, pierced hearers' hearts like arrows from the Lord's quiver. This was seen even in the council, where truth overcame accusations and exposed the persecutors' errors.