A similar coherence is apparent if we look to the other end of ch. xlix. 1-9. Here it is evident that Jehovah's commission to the Servant concludes with ver. 9_a_; but then its closing words, _Say to the bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves_, start fresh thoughts about the redeemed on their way back (vv. 9_b_-13); and these thoughts naturally lead on to a picture of Jerusalem imagining herself forsaken, and amazed by the appearance of so many of her children before her (vv. 14-21). Promises to her and to them follow in due sequence down to ch. l. 3, when the Servant resumes his soliloquy about himself, but abruptly, and in no apparent connection with what immediately precedes. His soliloquy ceases in ver. 9, and another voice, probably that of God Himself, urges obedience to the Servant (ver. 10), and judgement to the sinners in Israel (ver. 11); and ch. li. is an address to the spiritual Israel, and to Jerusalem, with thoughts much the same as those uttered in xlix. 14-l. 3.
In face of these facts, and taking into consideration the dramatic form in which the whole prophecy is cast, we find ourselves unable to say that there is anything which is incompatible with a single authorship, or which makes it impossible for the two passages on the Servant to have originally sprung, each at the place at which it now stands, from the progress of the prophet's thoughts.[187]
Babylon is left behind, and the way of the Lord is prepared in the desert. Israel have once more the title-deeds to their own land, and Zion looms in sight. Yet with their face to home, and their heart upon freedom, the voice of this people, or at least of the better half of this people, rises first upon the conscience of their duty to the rest of mankind.
_Hearken, O Isles, unto Me;_ _And listen, O Peoples, from far!_ _From the womb Jehovah hath called me,_ _From my mother's midst mentioned my name._[188] _And He set my mouth like a sharp sword,_ _In the shadow of His hand did He hide me;_ _Yea, He made me a pointed arrow,_ _In His quiver He laid me in store,_ _And said to me, My Servant art thou,_ _Israel, in whom I shall break into glory. And I--I said, In vain have I laboured,_ _For waste and for wind my strength have I spent!_ _Surely my right's with Jehovah,_ _And the meed of my work with my God!_