“Now Yahweh says
That he formed me
From the womb
To be his servant.
I was to bring Jacob
Back to him.
Thus Israel might be gathered to him.
I am honored
In the sight of Yahweh.
My God has become my strength.
Yahweh says.
‘It is too light a thing
That you should be my servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob,
To restore the survivors of Israel.
I will give you
As a light to the nations.
Thus my salvation may reach
To the ends of the earth.’”
Second Isaiah explains why this servant was formed from the womb. He was to bring back Jacob and gather Israel. This servant would be honored in the sight of Yahweh and become his strength. It was not enough that that he would raise up the tribes of Jacob or restore the survivors of Israel. He would now become the light to all the nations. Thus Yahweh would save everyone, even those at the ends of the earth.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 