John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 49:3

"and he said unto me, Thou art my servant; Israel, in whom I will be glorified." — Isaiah 49:3 (ASV)

Thou art my servant, O Israel. It is of great importance to connect this verse with the preceding one, because this shows that the Prophet now speaks not only of a single man, but of the whole nation—a point that has not been properly considered by commentators. This passage must not be limited to the person of Christ, and should not be referred to Israel alone; but here we should consider the customary language of Scripture. When the whole body of the Church is spoken of, Christ is brought forward prominently so as to include all the children of God. We hear what Paul says:

“The promises were given to Abraham and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ” (Galatians 3:16).

He does not include the whole multitude of children who were descended from Abraham himself according to the flesh, since all were not partakers of the blessing. Ishmael was rejected, Esau was a reprobate, and many others were cut off. When the people were rescued from Babylon, only a small remnant came out, since most of them rejected God’s astonishing kindness. Where then was “the seed?” In Christ, who is the Head, and contains in himself the rest of the members; for in him all the seed is joined and bound by an indissoluble bond.

Likewise, under the name Israel, by which he means Christ, Isaiah includes the whole body of the people, as members under the Head. This should not be thought strange, for Paul also, when he speaks of the union, employs the metaphor of the human body, and then adds, “So also is Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12). In that passage, the name of Christ is given to Israel, that is, to the whole body of believers, who are joined to Christ, as members to the Head.

In short, the Lord honors the Church by this name, which is the spouse of Christ, just as the wife is honored by bearing the name and title of her husband. He calls “Israel his servant,” that is, he calls the Church his handmaid, because she is “the pillar and foundation of truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), for he has committed his word to the care of the Church, that by her ministry it may be published throughout the whole world.

In thee I will be glorified. Finally, in the conclusion of the verse, he shows what is the purpose of these ministries, and for what purpose those who preach the Gospel are called by God: namely, that they may zealously display his glory and also promote it among others, which Christ also teaches us in the Gospel:

“Father, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee” (John 17:1).

This is a very high honor conferred on poor, feeble men, when the Lord appoints them, though corrupt and depraved, to promote his glory; and therefore we should be the more encouraged to render to him our service and obedience. Yet God intends to express something more: that, notwithstanding the efforts of Satan and all wicked men, the power of God will be victorious, so that Christ will triumph gloriously, and the majesty of God will shine forth in his Gospel.