a light for the nations

Isaiah 49:6-12, ESV

God’s purposes for Israel—light to the Gentiles!

He says:

“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
      to raise up the tribes of Jacob
      and to bring back the preserved of Israel;

I will make you as a light for the nations,
      that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Thus says the LORD,
      the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One,

to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation,
      the servant of rulers:

“Kings shall see and arise;
      princes, and they shall prostrate themselves;

because of the LORD, who is faithful,
      the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

Thus says the Lord:

“In a time of favor I have answered you;
      in a day of salvation I have helped you;

I will keep you and give you
      as a covenant to the people,

to establish the land,
      to apportion the desolate heritages,

saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’
      to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’

They shall feed along the ways;
      on all bare heights shall be their pasture;

they shall not hunger or thirst,
      neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them,

for he who has pity on them will lead them,
      and by springs of water will guide them.

And I will make all my mountains a road,
      and my highways shall be raised up.

Behold, these shall come from afar,
      and behold, these from the north and from the west,
      and these from the land of Syene.”