Childs interprets the “You are Israel my servant” line in Isa 49:3 as an annunciation of not just a new servant, but also a new Israel.109 However, even if we do view the line as an annunciation of a new Israel, there is no reason to suggest that the old Israel has forfeited her role as servant. An individual taking up part (or even all) of her vocation does not take away her status as God’s chosen covenantal people, and his earlier announcements that she is his servant. She is still a very important
Page 28