Isaiah 49:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

96:1). This joy emerged when Christ reigned in the heavenly realm, subjugating all under His sovereignty and defeating the powers of darkness. The prophet’s reference to islands signifies the Churches of the Gentiles, further clarified when he declares, "Hearken unto me, ye islands," immediately followed by "Hear ye Gentiles." He then proclaims, "The Lord will stand for many times," signaling the anticipated coming of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, revealing His divine nature and His engagement with earthly beings akin to us. This notion of prophecy indicates a future time rather than an immediate act, as reflected in the awaited realization of God’s plan. The very essence of the Saviour is alluded to when it is said, "From my mother's womb shall my name be called." Here, a profound mystery is unveiled, needing divine wisdom for its comprehension—a truth revealed to the holy Peter (Matt. 16:17). The Word was, is, and will always be God, of the same essence as the Father, co-existing and co-eternal with Him. Before the Incarnation, His names reflected His divine nature: God, Wisdom, Light, Life, and Power, along with others found throughout sacred writings. Yet, once He embraced humanity, taking the form of a servant and being made like us (Phil. 2:7), He bore the common name of Christ and Jesus, implying “Savior,” indicating His role alongside us. Thus, it is foretold: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive in her womb and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel" (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:23). The angel Gabriel, unveiling the mystery to the Blessed Virgin, declares: "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God: and behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you will call His name Jesus" (Luke 1:30, 31)... "For He will save His people from their sins" (Mt. 1:21).

Do the angel and the prophet convey contradictory messages? Absolutely not. The divine Prophet, inspired by the Spirit, prophesied of God becoming one with us, naming Him in accordance with His divine nature and His union with flesh. In contrast, the angel assigned the name based on His mission—saving His people; hence, He is rightfully called the Saviour. Even the angelic hosts heralded His incarnation with joy, proclaiming to the shepherds, "Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David" (Luke 2:10, 11). Hence, Immanuel stands for the God who inherently became man, and Jesus signifies His mission to redeem those in the heavens and on earth through His divine and human nature. Upon His birth from the Virgin, He was named, revealing that the title of Christ only applies post-Incarnation since prior to His anointment, He could not be called Christ.

His voice is likened to a sharp sword, a truth supported by the prophet Isaiah, who notes: "And He shall be girded with truth about His loins, and the Spirit of His mouth shall slay the wicked" (Isa 11:4). The preaching of Christ, termed the gospel, serves as a powerful sword against the forces of evil, dismantling the hold of darkness and revealing the illuminating truth of God to the world. He transforms lives, fills the faithful with the Holy Spirit, and fosters a community of God’s children equipped with the spiritual sword, the Word of God (Eph. 6:17), enabling them to resist former oppressors and rise to the highest calling without restraint.

The instruction and mystery of Christ dismantle the dominion of evil for earthly dwellers, as articulated by Isaiah: "In that day the Lord will bring a great, holy sword against the dragon, the crooked serpent, and He will slay the dragon" (Isaiah 27:1). He also promises that under the cover of His mighty hand, He will conceal me. Though spoken in human terms, it’s clear to the discerning that the Son remains inseparable from God the Father, existing as man. The right hand of power indicates His divine essence is unchangeable, despite His incarnation in human form; for no one can overpower the omnipotent hand. The Word, begotten of the Father, also serves as the Lord of Hosts; yet, having taken on humanity, the Father entrusts Him with the task of building in such a way that the mystery's essence remains intact. He conveys through the psalmist: "The enemy shall not outwit him; the son of wickedness shall not afflict him" (Psalm 88:23, 24). It is evident that even through the prophet’s voice, He speaks in a way that resonates with our human experience, claiming, "Hide me under the shadow of His hand," indicating His protective presence.

He also states: "Continue as a chosen arrow; hide me in His quiver." Numerous arrows have been reserved in God’s foreknowledge, fitted for divine purposes and dispatched at the appropriate times. Christ is uniquely appointed as the foremost arrow, having been foreknown before the world's foundation (1 Pet. 1:20) and brought forth when the time was right to address the chaotic world, corrupted through idolatry and entangled in sin. This chosen arrow strikes at Satan and his allies and confronts adversaries of the truth. It also strikes in a different, benevolent manner, as expressed in the Song of Solomon: "I am wounded by love" (Song of Songs 2:5).

The Father professes, "You are My servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified." The depths of God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge are unsearchable, as detailed in the Scriptures (Rom. 11:33). The Son, freely begotten from the essence that governs all, still acknowledges His role as a servant. Therefore, though free by nature, He took on servitude through the flesh, underscoring His temporal incarnation. He is named 'Israel' for coming from Israel's lineage, yet says, "In you, I will be glorified." God was glorified through the holy prophets, but uniquely glorified in Christ—through Him, not merely through them. Thus, when Christ is exalted, so too is the Father honored in Him. We witness the Father’s glory shining through the Son’s divine attributes, abilities, and sanctity, revealing the Godhead to humanity. Hence, Christ teaches, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). The wise Paul also declares that in Christ, the Father is glorified (Rom. 15:9). In you, then, it is affirmed, "I will be glorified," for it is written that every knee shall bow before the Son, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is the manifestation of God's glory (Phil. 1:10, 11).

Hence, I present both versions of the message, with the intention that what might be confusing in one could be illuminated by the other.

After addressing the remnant of Israel and dismissing those still in disbelief, He transitions to the churches formed by the Gentiles, referring to them as islands. They face the schemes of persecutors, akin to the relentless waves of the sea, yet although they are often struck, they remain unshaken. To counter any notion that our interpretation may be overly forced, and to clarify that these words pertain to the Gentiles rather than the synagogues of the Jewish people, it is stated: “Take heed, you nations or tribes far away,” meaning from the farthest reaches of the earth. As the Septuagint translates: “after many occurrences shall take place.” The Lord proclaimed through the prophet, “He has called me from the womb; from my mother’s womb, my name was recalled.” This may appear obscure now, but it shall be revealed to all nations when Gabriel addresses Joseph regarding the one born of the Virgin, stating, “And you shall call His name Jesus; He will save His people.” He fashioned His mouth like a sharp sword to vanquish the wicked with the breath of His mouth. He Himself spoke of this sword in the Gospel: “I did not come to bring peace to the earth, but a sword, to set apart the wicked from the righteous, to separate a man from his father, a daughter from her mother, and a bride from her mother-in-law.” The shadow of His hand encompassed me, signifying that the fragility of the flesh is enveloped by divine power, as the angel proclaimed to the Virgin, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” He rendered Me as a chosen arrow, hidden in His quiver. This description indicates that while God possesses many arrows, the chosen arrow represents Christ alone, the only begotten Son. He concealed Him within His quiver, that is, in human form, enabling the fullness of deity to dwell in Him. Yet, He is rarely received with faith, as previously expressed, “You are a hidden God, and we knew it not.”

After being struck by this arrow, the bride expresses in the Song of Songs, “I am wounded with love.” He proclaimed, “You are My servant, Israel; through you, I shall be glorified.” As the image of God, He willingly took on the form of a servant; and as Israel, He was born of the lineage of the Jews. To clarify that this pertains to no other servant, it is tied to, “For in You I will be glorified.” He also states in the Gospel, “Father, glorify Your name.” The Psalmist voices to the Son, “Rise up, My glory,” summoning forth the totality of all virtues. And when the Father conveyed to Me what I relayed, I responded, “How are You glorified in Me, Father? For I have labored in vain and could not draw most of the Jewish people to You.” All of this illustrates the freedom of human will. It is God's prerogative to call, while it is ours to believe. If we do not believe promptly, it is not that God lacks power; rather, He bestows His strength upon our will, rewarding us for aligning with the just. Because they were unwilling to believe through me, my cause is with You, since I completed all that I was tasked to do, as reported in the Gospel, “I glorified You on earth; I completed the work You entrusted to me,” and again, “I revealed Your name to men.” My labor, or my toil and sorrow, rests before You; for in the Gospel, He wept for Jerusalem, and in the Psalm, expressing His anguish over the multitude of unbelievers, He laments, “What benefit is there in my blood if I descend into the pit?” Hanging upon the cross, He exclaims in Hebrew, “Far from Me is the deliverance for which I cry.”

"And in You I will be glorified." Christ Himself affirms the realization of this prophecy through His ministry, as He prays to the Father, saying, "I will glorify Thee on earth, the work which Thou gavest Me to do" (John 17:4). In all that Christ accomplished on earth, the magnificence of God's immeasurable love for humanity is revealed, as He did not withhold His only begotten Son for our redemption. This also showcases the glory of God's justice, fulfilled through the immense sacrifice of the God-man on the cross, as well as the glory of God's wisdom, which harmonized mercy and truth through this atoning act.