Isaiah 49:7 - Exposition

His Holy One; i.e. "the Holy One of Israel." To him whom man despiseth ; literally, who is despised of souls. This is the first place in the prophecies of Isaiah where this note of the Messiah is brought forward. It is found earlier in the Psalms, as especially in Psalms 22:6 , et seq; "I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people;" and later on it is expanded into a chapter ( Psalms 53:1-6 .). Whom the nation abhorreth ; rather, whom mankind abhorreth. The term used is goi , which points to the Gentiles rather than to the Jews. Mankind at large dislikes a "Holy One," since he is a perpetual reproach to it (see Isaiah 30:11 ; and comp. Plut; 'Republ.,' 7.2, ad fin. ) . It is not the Jews only who exclaim in such a case, "Away with him! away with him!" ( John 19:15 ). There is such an antagonism between sin and holiness, that the ungodly everywhere and in all ages detest the godly and virtuous. A servant of rulers ; or, a slave of despots; treated as a slave, i.e. by such irresponsible rulers as Herod ( Luke 23:11 ) and Pontius Pilate ( John 19:1 , John 19:16 ). The "King of kings" bowed himself to a slave's death. Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship (comp. Psalms 72:10 , Psalms 72:11 ; Isaiah 52:15 ; Isaiah 50:3 , Isaiah 50:10 , Isaiah 50:11 , etc.). According to a tradition—which, however, cannot be traced back to any very ancient source—the Magi who came to worship our Lord at Bethlehem were "kings." The prophecy is, however, to be regarded as having its main fulfilment in the coming to Christ of so many kings and princes, since his ascension into heaven (comp Psalms 22:23 ). And the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee ; rather, the Holy One of Israel , that hath chosen thee. Kings will rise from their thrones, and prostrate themselves before Messiah, convinced that Jehovah is faithful in the performance of his promises, and has chosen the Son of Mary to be the Redeemer so long announced as about to appear on earth.