Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 49:1-3

"Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye peoples, from far: Jehovah hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name: and he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me: and he hath made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he kept me close: and he said unto me, Thou art my servant; Israel, in whom I will be glorified." — Isaiah 49:1-3 (ASV)

Listen, O isles, to me, and listen, you people from afar; The LORD has called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother he has made mention of my name. And he has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand has he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver has he hid me; and said to me, You are my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

Our Lord became. By his incarnation—by his very birth, so marvelous and mysterious—he became that servant of Jehovah by whom God would be glorified. He was, as it were, hidden away—like a sword in its master's scabbard—and concealed and protected—like an arrow hidden in its owner's quiver—until the time came for God to use him, and then God did use him both as a sharp sword and as a polished shaft.