Isaiah 49:5

“And now, saith the Lord, &c.] Jehovah the Father, in confirmation of the call, office, and work of Christ, which he hath declared, (<234901>Isaiah 49:1,3): that formed me from the womb to be his servant; who preordained him to this service before the world began, and prepared him for it from the womb of his mother Mary, by filling him with grace and wisdom and with the Spirit without measure; anointing him with the oil of gladness above his fellows, and so fitting him as man and Mediator for the preaching of the Gospel, and every other service he called him: to bring Jacob again, to him; the lost sheep of the house of Israel, God’s elect among the Jews, which were as straying sheep; or all…”

“The reason why He was confident that His work would be accepted and rewarded, namely, because He is "glorious in the eyes of Jehovah," &c. to bring Jacob again to him-- (Mat 15:24; Act 3:26). Though Israel be not gathered--metaphor from a scattered flock which the shepherd gathers together again; or a hen and her chickens (Mat 23:37). Instead of the text "not," the Keri has the similar Hebrew word, "to Him," which the parallelism favors: "And that Israel may be gathered to Him." yet--rather, parenthetically. "For I am glorious, &c., and My God is My strength." Then (Isa 49:6) resuming the words from the beginning of Isa 49:5, "He saith" (I repeat), &c. HORSLEY explains, "Notwithstanding the…”

“And now, saith the Lord that formed me - This verse contains the reason why he cherished the hope that his work would not be unaccepted. The reason is, that Yahweh had said to him that he should be glorious in his eyes, and that he would be his strength. He stood so high in his favor, and he had such assurances of that favor, that he could confidently commit himself to his care. That formed thee from the womb - Who appointed me before I was born to the office of a servant to accomplish important purposes (see the notes at Isaiah 49:1). To bring Jacob again to him - To recover the Jewish people again to the pure worship of Yahweh. To them the Messiah was first to be sent, and when they…”

“To bring - To convert the apostate Israelites to God. Not gathered - Not brought home to God by my ministry. Yet - God will not despise me for the unsuccessfulness of my labours, but will honour and glorify me. My strength - To support and strengthen me under this and all other discouragements. Isaiah 49:6”

“that formed: Isa 49:1 to bring: Isa 56:8; Mat 15:24; Act 10:36; Rom 15:8 Though: etc. or, That Israel may be gathered to him, and I may, etc Israel: Mat 21:37-41, Mat 23:37; Luk 19:42; Th1 2:15, Th1 2:16 yet: Psa 110:1-3; Mat 3:17, Mat 11:27, Mat 17:5, Mat 28:18; Joh 3:35, Joh 5:20-27; Eph 1:20-22; Pe1 3:22 Isaiah 49:6”

“The expression "and now" (ועתּה), which follows, evidently indicates a fresh turn in the official life of the person speaking here. At the same time, it is evident that it is the failure of his labours within his own people, which has forced out the lamentation in Isa 49:4. For his reason for addressing his summons in Isa 49:1 to the world of nations, is that Jehovah has not guaranteed to him, the undaunted one, success to his labours among his own people, but has assigned him a mission extending far beyond and reaching to all mankind. "And now, saith Jehovah, that formed me from the womb to be His servant, to bring back Jacob to Him, and that Israel may be gathered together to Him; and I am…”