For I will not contend forever

Isaiah 57:15-19, ESV

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
"I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
For I will not contend forever,
nor will I always be angry;
for the spirit would grow faint before me,
and the breath of life that I made.
Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry,
I struck him; I hid my face and was angry,
but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart.
I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,
creating the fruit of the lips.
Peace, peace, to the far and to the near," says the LORD,
"and I will heal him.

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.”