Isaiah 49:3

“And said unto me, &c.] Both in the everlasting council, and when he made a covenant with him in eternity; when he found him and anointed him, and laid help on him; and also when he brought him, his first begotten, into the world, at his incarnation: thou art my servant; of his choosing, appointing, calling, sending, bringing forth, and supporting; so he was as Mediator, especially in his estate of humiliation, when he appeared in the form of a servant, and came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and give his life a ransom for many; thereby to obtain redemption, which was the great work and service he was appointed to; which he readily undertook, and willingly and cheerfully engaged…”

“Israel--applied to Messiah, according to the true import of the name, the Prince who had power with God in wrestling in behalf of man, and who prevails (Gen 32:28; Hos 12:3-4). He is also the ideal Israel, the representative man of the nation (compare Mat 2:15 with Hos 11:1). in whom . . . glorified-- (Joh 14:13; Joh 17:1-5).”

“And said unto me - That is, as I suppose, to the Messiah. God said to him that he was his servant; he by whom he would be particularly glorified and honored. Thou art my servant, O Israel - There has been great variety, as was intimated in the analysis of the chapter, in the interpretation of this verse. The question of difficulty is, to whom does the word ‘Israel’ refer? And if it refer to the Messiah, why is this name given to him? There is no variety in the ancient versions, or in the MSS. The opinions which have been maintained have been referred to in the analysis, and are briefly these: 1. The most obvious interpretation of the verse, if it stood alone, would be to refer it to the Jews…”

“O Israel - As the name of David is sometimes given to his successors, so here the name of Israel may not unfitly be given to Christ, not only because he descended from his loins; but also because he was the true and the great Israel, who, in a more eminent manner, prevailed with God, as that name signifies, of whom Jacob, who was first called Israel, was but a type. Isaiah 49:4”

“49:3 The suffering servant would come out of Israel (see 41:8) and would himself be the true Israel. He would serve as both king (42:1) and prophet (49:1), anointed with the Spirit of God (61:1) and commissioned (48:16) as a faithful witness to God’s purposes (43:12; 48:20). In his mission toward both Israel and the other nations (49:6), he would suffer rejection and disgrace while being faithful, unlike the nation of Israel (see 50:4-9). His suffering would be on behalf of God’s chosen people. Jesus became the ultimate fulfillment of the suffering servant (see study note on 52:13–53:12).”

“Isa 42:1, Isa 43:21, Isa 44:23, Isa 52:13, Isa 53:10; Zac 3:8; Mat 17:5; Luk 2:10-14; Joh 12:28, Joh 13:31, Joh 13:32, Joh 15:8, Joh 17:1, Joh 17:4; Eph 1:6; Phi 2:6-11; Pe1 2:9 Isaiah 49:4”