The Purpose of the Mission- Worship of the Nations

(7)  Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. 

(Isaiah 49:7)

Explanation:

The Lord is revealing a threefold purpose to His mission.  In verse 6 we learned that the restoration of Israel, and the salvation of the nations were part of the purpose of God’s mission.  We see a third purpose in today’s verse.

3.  The Worship of God.

The message of God and of His Servant, the Holy One, is this.  There will be those who see what God has accomplished in sending His Servant on this mission and it will cause them to stand and to worship.  Those that are said to do this in this text are “kings” and “princes”.  It is safe to say, in context, that this would be gentile nobility.  Ultimately the notable of the earth and their followers will recognize God’s mission and worship Him for sending the Servant.  Isaiah mentions this same kind of an idea about the servant in Isaiah 52.

So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. 

(Isaiah 52:15)

The New Testament points to this ultimate reality as well.

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  (11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

(Philippians 2:10-11)

Application:

The end of this mission is the worship of God.  God’s desire is for every person to be saved, and every saved person to worship Him.  The Worship of God by the nations is the ultimate end of the mission to which we are sent. 

Response:

Is the worship of God by your life a priority in your life?