John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 49:9

"saying to them that are bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture." — Isaiah 49:9 (ASV)

That thou mayest say to them that are bound. These words describe the change that took place at the coming of Christ. Yet the Prophet unquestionably intends to offer comfort to the Jews in their extreme distress, so that they may not think it incredible that they will be restored to a better condition, because they see that they are almost devoted to destruction.

Still, he shows in general what the nature of Christ’s office is and explains what is meant by restoring desolate heritages. For, before the coming of Christ, we are “bound” under a miserable yoke and plunged in darkness. By these metaphors it is meant that as long as we are without Christ, we are overwhelmed by a load of all evils; for by darkness he excludes everything that relates to the kingdom of Christ—faith, righteousness, truth, innocence, and everything of that nature. We are therefore in “darkness” until Christ says, Shew yourselves. We are “bound” until he says, Come forth.

The word לאמר (lemor), “that thou mayest say,” is highly emphatic, for it shows that the preaching of the Gospel is the means by which we are delivered. Therefore, if we desire liberty, if we desire the light of the kingdom of God, let us listen to Christ when he speaks; otherwise we will be oppressed by the unceasing tyranny of Satan.

Where then is the liberty of our will? Whoever claims for himself light, or reason, or understanding can have no share in this deliverance of Christ. For liberty is not promised to any except those who acknowledge that they are captives, and light and salvation are not promised to any except those who acknowledge that they are plunged in darkness.

On the ways they shall feed. When he promises that pastures will be accessible to the children of God and will be on the tops of the mountains, by these metaphors he declares that all who are under the protection of Christ will dwell safely. For he is a careful and attentive Shepherd who supplies his flock with everything necessary, so that they lack nothing that is requisite for the highest happiness (John 10:11).

This instruction was highly necessary at the time when the Jews were about to make a journey through dry and barren countries, on their return to a land that lay waste and desolate. The Prophet therefore says that God has abundant resources for supplying their needs, though earthly means should fail. Accordingly, in accordance with the ordinary custom of Scripture, he compares believers to sheep, so that, being aware of their weakness, they may entrust themselves entirely to the care of the Shepherd.

Yet it is probable that indirectly he warns believers not to desire excessive luxury, because they will never have such a great abundance as not to be accompanied by many difficulties; and likewise not to become soft or weak, because they will be beset by dangers. For we know that “the ways” are exposed to the attacks of enemies and robbers, and that the tops of mountains are for the most part barren.

The Church is governed by Christ in such a way as not to be free from the attacks and insults of men, and is fed in such a way as frequently to inhabit barren and frightening regions. But though enemies are near, God protects us from their violence and oppression. If we are thirsty or hungry, he is abundantly able to supply everything necessary for food and sustenance; and amidst perils and difficulties of this nature we perceive his care and concern more clearly than if we were placed beyond the reach of all danger.