Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Isaiah 49:7 (NIV)
“This is what the Lord says—the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
Isaiah 49:7 (MSG)
“God, Redeemer of Israel, The Holy of Israel, says to the despised one, kicked around by the nations, slave labor to the ruling class: “Kings will see, get to their feet—the princes, too—and then fall on their faces in homage because of God, who has faithfully kept his word, the Holy of Israel, who has chosen you.”
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“This is what the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, Israel’s Holy One says, to the thoroughly despised One, to the One hated by the nation to the Servant of rulers, “Kings will see and arise, Princes shall also bow down, because of the Lord who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel who has chosen You.” -AMPLIFIED
“The LORD speaks to His Messiah and reveals that He will be One whom man despises, and whom His own nation abhors. This is an important – yet lightly noted – prophecy of the rejection of the Messiah, by mankind in general and by Israel specifically. Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship: Yet in the end, the Messiah will not be despised or abhorred. He will receive the worship and honor He deserves, because He is the chosen of the LORD.” ~David Guzik
In yesterday’s passage we learned how the Messiah was The Light of salvation. Isaiah recorded this Message for us:
“And now, the Lord Yahweh—who shaped me in the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob’s tribes back to him that Israel would be gathered back to himself,
for I am honored in the sight of Yahweh. I find the source of all my strength in my God— who says:
“Is it too small a thing for you, my servant, to restore greatness to Jacob’s tribes and the survivors of Israel? I will make you to be a light to the nations and to bring the light of my salvation to the ends of the earth!” -Isaiah 49:5-6 (The Passion Translation)
We also learned that Jesus was the fulfillment of this passage, for He declared Himself the Light of the World. Jesus said, “I Am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” -John 8:12
In today’s text we learn that the Chosen One will receive all glory, honor, and praise that is due to Him.
“This is what the Eternal One, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, told to the one who is despised and loathed by the nation, To the servant of national leaders. Eternal One: At the sight of you, kings will rise and princes will bow down, for I, the Eternal, faithful and true, the Holy One of Israel, have chosen you.” -(VOICE)
This verse can be divided into two parts. In first part focuses on who it is that is delivering this Message, and to whom the Message is for. We are told that the speaker is: Adonai, the Redeemer of Israel. He speaks to: his Holy One, to the one despised, whom the nations detest. This is the same One who would be repulsed by rulers.
The second part of the verse contains the prophecy from God, His promise to the Chosen One. This promise tells us that the One who had been despised and rejected of men, would one day receive the respect that is due Him.
“When kings see you, they will stand up;
princes too will prostrate themselves,
because of Adonai, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Isra’el, who has chosen you.” -Isaiah 49:7 (Complete Jewish Bible)
“The Lord, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, says to the One who is despised, rejected by mankind, and kept beneath the heel of the world’s rulers: “Kings shall stand at attention when you pass by; princes shall bow low because the Lord has chosen you; he, the faithful Lord, the Holy One of Israel, chooses you.” -(TLB)
“If you had a thousand crowns you should put them all on the head of Christ! And if you had a thousand tongues they should all sing his praise, for he is worthy!” ~William Tiptaft
In the New Testament we find Paul telling us that because of the Messiah’s humble obedience to the Father, one day, every knee will bow before Him. Remember, Jesus Christ is the Messiah. Paul wrote:
“Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility], who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid of losing it]; but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man]. After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.” -Philippians 2:5-11 (AMP)
To the Colossian church Paul wrote about the Messiah being the Head of the body. Paul teaches us that in all things Christ must have preeminence. He must be the focal point, and the very essence of our lives. Paul writes:
“He is the Head of his body, which is the church. And since he is the beginning and the firstborn heir in resurrection, he is the most exalted One, holding first place in everything.” -Colossians 1:18 (The Passion Translation)
“And now—all glory to him who alone is God, who saves us through Jesus Christ our Lord; yes, splendor and majesty, all power and authority are his from the beginning; his they are and his they evermore shall be. And he is able to keep you from slipping and falling away, and to bring you, sinless and perfect, into his glorious presence with mighty shouts of everlasting joy. Amen.” ~Jude (Jude 1:24-25 TLB)
My friend, one day Jesus, the Messiah, will receive the honor and respect that is due Him. One day, every knee will bow before the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. Those who despised and rejected Him will have to acknowledge that He is the Chosen One, the One and Only, the Most High God. At that time, He will finally receive the respect He always deserved.
“Watch! He will come in the clouds. Every one will see him. Those who stuck a spear in him will also see him. All the tribes on earth will cry when they see him. That is the way it will be. Yes it will!” ~John (Revelation 1:7 Worldwide English New Testament)
My Prayer:
Adonai–Tzva’ot, God Almighty, I realize that I have a choice. I can choose to humbly bow my knee before your Chosen One now, or I can, in pride, refuse to do so, and one day be constrained to do so. I choose to humbly bow before my Lord and King now. Jesus Christ is the Chosen One, my Salvation, my Deliverer. I confess that He is my Lord, and Savior and I am not ashamed of this declaration. I believe that one day, and it will be very soon, everyone will bow before Jesus, the Messiah, and acknowledge that He is God, Most High, Lord over all. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Growing with God 