Definition: And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this incredibly important verse from Isaiah 49:6. It’s a really rich statement about God’s plan and relationship with humanity. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Core Idea: This verse speaks about God’s intention to use Jesus Christ – who is revealed as the Messiah – to be Israel's protector and guide for all of humankind. Essentially, God wants to bring people all over the world to know and benefit from Jesus. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Isaiah 49:6” : This is a specific passage in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). It's a part of a larger prophecy about the future. “And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob…” – This means God is saying, “I want you to serve me.” Specifically, He wants to use Jesus as a tool to rebuild and strengthen the people of Israel (represented by the tribe of Jacob). “…and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.” – This is where it gets really powerful. “Preserved” means protected or saved. “The Gentiles” refers to all people outside of Judaism - including Jews and other groups. “A light to the Gentiles” means God wants to bring awareness of Jesus to everyone, everywhere. "My salvation unto the end of the earth" means that He intends to save humanity as a whole, extending beyond just Israel. In simpler terms: God is saying: “I want to use Jesus Christ to be the primary way people find and benefit from God’s love and grace for all of humanity.” He wants to use him to protect and guide people around the world, eventually bringing them all into a relationship with Him. Important Context (Briefly): This verse is part of a larger prophecy about God’s plan to bring about a new era – an age of peace and redemption for all nations. It speaks of Jesus’ coming back as King of the Universe. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Compare this verse to another biblical passage?