◄ Isaiah 49:23 ►
Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame."
Study Bible
Kings will be your foster fathers,

This phrase indicates a reversal of roles where the powerful and influential, represented by kings, will serve and support God's people. Historically, this reflects the period of the Babylonian exile and the subsequent return under Persian rule, where foreign kings like Cyrus played a role in the restoration of Israel (Ezra 1:1-4). It also foreshadows the future Messianic kingdom where earthly rulers will acknowledge the sovereignty of God and His people.

Isa 60:10 Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings…
Psa 72:10-11 May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute;…
Rev 21:24 By its light the nations will walk, and into it…

and their queens your nursing mothers.

Queens, often seen as figures of nurturing and care, will provide sustenance and support. This imagery suggests a complete transformation in the relationship between Israel and the nations, where those who were once oppressors become caretakers. It highlights the nurturing role of Gentile nations in the restoration and growth of Israel, as seen in the support given by Persian queens like Esther.

Isa 60:16 You will drink the milk of nations and nurse…
Isa 66:11-12 so that you may nurse and be satisfied…
1Th 2:7 On the contrary, we were gentle among you…

They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet.

This phrase signifies total submission and reverence. In ancient Near Eastern culture, bowing facedown and licking the dust were acts of deep humility and acknowledgment of superiority. This imagery is echoed in other scriptures, such as Psalm 72:9 and Micah 7:17, where nations submit to God's chosen people. It points to the ultimate victory and vindication of God's people in the eschatological future.

Isa 60:14 The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you;…
Psa 72:9 May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies…
Mic 7:17 They will lick the dust like a snake, like reptiles…

Then you will know that I am the LORD;

This statement emphasizes the recognition of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Throughout the Bible, knowing the LORD is associated with experiencing His power and deliverance (Exodus 6:7). This knowledge comes through witnessing God's promises fulfilled, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Exo 6:7 I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God.…
Ezk 36:23 I will show the holiness of My great name,…
Ezk 37:13 Then you, My people, will know that I am the LORD,…

those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.”

This assurance is a recurring theme in scripture, affirming that trust in God leads to vindication and honor (Psalm 25:3, Romans 10:11). It contrasts the temporary shame of exile with the eternal honor of restoration. This promise is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who embodies the hope and salvation of God's people, ensuring that those who trust in Him will not be disappointed.

Psa 25:3 Surely none who wait for You will be put to shame;…
Rom 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out…
Rom 10:11 It is just as the Scripture says: “Anyone who believes…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Kings and Queens
Symbolic of powerful leaders and nations who will serve and honor God's people, indicating a reversal of roles where the mighty serve the humble.

2. Israel
The primary audience of Isaiah's prophecy, representing God's chosen people who will be vindicated and honored.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who promises deliverance and honor to His people.

4. Servitude and Honor
The event of kings and queens serving Israel signifies the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom and the fulfillment of His promises.

5. Hope and Shame
The assurance that those who place their hope in the LORD will not be disappointed, highlighting God's faithfulness.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God can turn the hearts of kings and rulers to serve His purposes and honor His people.

Reversal of Fortunes
God's justice will ultimately prevail, and those who have been oppressed will be lifted up.

Hope in God's Promises
Trusting in God assures us that we will not be put to shame, as He is faithful to fulfill His promises.

Humility and Honor
True honor comes from God, and even the mightiest will acknowledge His chosen ones.

Endurance in Faith
Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their hope, knowing that God's timing and plans are perfect.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the promise of kings and queens serving Israel reflect God's sovereignty and justice?

2. In what ways can we see the fulfillment of Isaiah 49:23 in the New Testament, particularly in the life and ministry of Jesus?

3. How can the assurance that "those who hope in Me will never be put to shame" encourage us in our daily walk with God?

4. What are some modern-day examples of God using unexpected people or circumstances to honor His people?

5. How can we apply the principle of humility and honor in our relationships with others, knowing that true honor comes from God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 25:3
This verse echoes the promise that those who hope in the LORD will not be put to shame, reinforcing the theme of trust in God's faithfulness.

Revelation 3:9
This passage speaks of those who will acknowledge the love and favor God has for His people, similar to the honor described in Isaiah 49:23.

Philippians 2:10-11
The imagery of bowing down parallels the ultimate recognition of Christ's lordship, where every knee will bow.
Sermons
No Shame in Waiting for GodR. Tuck Isaiah 49:23
Princes and Rulers Should Promote the Will of GodR. Shittier.Isaiah 49:23
WaitR. Vaughan, D. D.Isaiah 49:23
Waiting Upon GodT. Blackley, M. A.Isaiah 49:23
Promise of Christ to His PeopleE. Cooper.Isaiah 49:10-26
The Love that Will not Let Us GoF. B. Meyer, B. A.Isaiah 49:10-26
Despondency ComfortedE. Johnson Isaiah 49:14-26
Promises for the ChurchC. Simeon, M. A.Isaiah 49:18-23
The Fear Which May be Fearless, EtcW. Clarkson Isaiah 49:23, 25
People
Isaiah, Jacob
Places
Babylon, Syene, Zion
Topics
Ashamed, Bow, Care, Disappointed, Dust, Expecting, Face, Faces, Fathers, Foster, Foster-fathers, Ground, Guardians, Hast, Hope, Hopefully, Kings, Kissing, Lick, Milk, Mothers, Nurses, Nursing, Nursing-fathers, Nursing-mothers, Princesses, Queens, Shame, Shamed, Towards, Wait
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Isaiah 49:23

     5138   bowing
     5140   breasts
     5151   feet
     5174   prostration
     5185   stomach
     8105   assurance, basis of
     8214   confidence, basis of
     9615   hope, results of

Isaiah 49:8-26

     6659   freedom, acts in OT

Isaiah 49:22-26

     6722   redemption, OT

Library
September 20. "They Shall not be Ashamed that Wait" (Isa. Xlix. 23).
"They shall not be ashamed that wait" (Isa. xlix. 23). Often He calls us aside from our work for a season and bids us be still and learn ere we go forth again to minister. Especially is this so when there has been some serious break, some sudden failure and some radical defect in our work. There is no time lost in such waiting hours. Fleeing from his enemies the ancient knight found that his horse needed to be reshod. Prudence seemed to urge him without delay, but higher wisdom taught him to halt …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Mountain Road
And I will make all My mountains a way, and My highways shall be exalted.'--ISAIAH xlix. 11. This grand prophecy is far too wide to be exhausted by the return of the exiles. There gleamed through it the wider redemption and the true return of the real captives. The previous promises all find their fulfilment in the experiences of the soul on its journey back to God. Here we have two characteristics of that journey. I. The Path through the mountains. 'My mountains.' That is the claim that all …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Writing on God's Hands
'Behold! I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands; thy walls are continually before Me.'--ISAIAH xlix. 16. In the preceding context we have the infinitely tender and beautiful words: 'Zion hath said, The Lord hath forsaken me. Can a woman forget her sucking child? ... yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.' There is more than a mother's love in the Father's heart. But wonderful in their revelation of God, and mighty to strengthen, calm, and comfort, as these transcendent words are, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Feeding in the Ways
'They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.' ISAIAH xlix. 9. This is part of the prophet's glowing description of the return of the Captives, under the figure of a flock fed by a strong shepherd. We have often seen, I suppose, a flock of sheep driven along a road, some of them hastily trying to snatch a mouthful from the dusty grass by the wayside. Little can they get there; they have to wait until they reach some green pasture in which they can be folded. This …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
(Revelation, Chapters vi.-viii.) "God Almighty! King of nations! earth Thy footstool, heaven Thy throne! Thine the greatness, power, and glory, Thine the kingdom, Lord, alone! Life and death are in Thy keeping, and Thy will ordaineth all: From the armies of Thy heavens to an unseen insect's fall. "Reigning, guiding, all-commanding, ruling myriad worlds of light; Now exalting, now abasing, none can stay Thy hand of might! Working all things by Thy power, by the counsel of Thy will. Thou art God! …
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

Christ in the Covenant
First, we shall examine this property; secondly, we shall notice the purpose for which it was conveyed to us; and thirdly, we shall give one precept, which may well be affixed upon so great a blessing as this, and is indeed an inference from it. I. In the first place, then, here is a GREAT POSSESSION--Jesus Christ by the covenant is the property of every believer. By this we must understand Jesus Christ in many different senses; and we will begin, first of all, by declaring that Jesus Christ is ours, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

Twentieth Day for God's Spirit on the Heathen
WHAT TO PRAY.--For God's Spirit on the Heathen "Behold, these shall come from far; and these from the land of Sinim."--ISA. xlix. 12. "Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall haste to stretch out her hands to God."--PS. lxviii. 31. "I the Lord will hasten it in His time."--ISA. lx. 22. Pray for the heathen, who are yet without the word. Think of China, with her three hundred millions--a million a month dying without Christ. Think of Dark Africa, with its two hundred millions. Think …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Sixteenth Day for the Power of the Holy Spirit in Our Sabbath Schools
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Power of the Holy Spirit in our Sabbath Schools "Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children."--ISA. xlix. 25. Every part of the work of God's Church is His work. He must do it. Prayer is the confession that He will, the surrender of ourselves into His hands to let Him, work in us and through us. Pray for the hundreds …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

"Sing, O Heavens; and be Joyful, O Earth; for the Lord Hath Comforted his People. " -- Isaiah 49:13.
"For the Lord shall comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody." -- Isaiah 51:3. "Sing, O Heavens; and be joyful, O Earth; for the Lord hath comforted his people." -- Isaiah 49:13. A living, loving, lasting word, My listening ear believing heard, While bending down in prayer; Like a sweet breeze that none can stay, It passed …
Miss A. L. Waring—Hymns and Meditations

Of Civil Government.
OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT. This chapter consists of two principal heads,--I. General discourse on the necessity, dignity, and use of Civil Government, in opposition to the frantic proceedings of the Anabaptists, sec. 1-3. II. A special exposition of the three leading parts of which Civil Government consists, sec. 4-32. The first part treats of the function of Magistrates, whose authority and calling is proved, sec. 4-7. Next, the three Forms of civil government are added, sec. 8. Thirdly, Consideration …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity the Careful Walk of the Christian.
Text: Ephesians 5, 15-21. 15 Look therefore carefully how ye walk [See then that ye walk circumspectly], not as unwise, but as wise; 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; 19 speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always for all things …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Exposition of the Doctrines of Grace
? Perseverance of the Saints--"The Final Perseverance of Believers in Christ Jesus," by William O'Neill (message 5). The Rev. C. H. SPURGEON took the chair at 3 o'clock. The proceedings were commenced by singing the 21st Hymn-- Saved from the damning power of sin, The law's tremendous curse, We'll now the sacred song begin Where God began with us. We'll sing the vast unmeasured grace Which, from the days of old, Did all his chosen sons embrace, As sheep within the fold. The basis of eternal love …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

Under his Shadow.
A BRIEF SACRAMENTAL DISCOURSE DELIVERED AT MENTONE TO ABOUT A SCORE BRETHREN."He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."--Psalm xci. 1. UNDER HIS SHADOW. I MUST confess of my short discourse, as the man did of the axe which fell into the stream, that it is borrowed. The outline of it is taken from one who will never complain of me, for to the great loss of the Church she has left these lower choirs to sing above. Miss Havergal, last and loveliest …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and the Spirit of Error Carrieth Many Away.
There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the question is, …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The First Thing Suggested at the Very Outset Is...
The first thing suggested at the very outset is, as we have already said (sec. 17-19), that all our prayers to God ought only to be presented in the name of Christ, as there is no other name which can recommend them. In calling God our Father, we certainly plead the name of Christ. For with what confidence could any man call God his Father? Who would have the presumption to arrogate to himself the honour of a son of God were we not gratuitously adopted as his sons in Christ? He being the true Son, …
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

Catalogue of his Works.
There is no absolutely complete edition of Eusebius' extant works. The only one which can lay claim even to relative completeness is that of Migne: Eusebii Pamphili, Cæsareæ Palestinæ Episcopi, Opera omnia quæ extant, curis variorum, nempe: Henrici Valesii, Francisci Vigeri, Bernardi Montfauconii, Card. Angelo Maii edita; collegit et denuo recognovit J. P. Migne. Par. 1857. 6 vols. (tom. XIX.-XXIV. of Migne's Patrologia Græca). This edition omits the works which are …
Eusebius Pamphilius—Church History

The Fifth Commandment
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.' Exod 20: 12. Having done with the first table, I am next to speak of the duties of the second table. The commandments may be likened to Jacob's ladder: the first table respects God, and is the top of the ladder that reaches to heaven; the second respects superiors and inferiors, and is the foot of the ladder that rests on the earth. By the first table, we walk religiously towards God; by …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

"But Ye have Received the Spirit of Adoption, Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. "
Rom. viii. 15.--"But ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God," 1 John iii. 1. It is a wonderful expression of love to advance his own creatures, not only infinitely below himself, but far below other creatures, to such a dignity. Lord, what is man that thou so magnified him! But it surpasseth wonder, that rebellious creatures, his enemies, should have, not only …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
OR, A PLAIN AND PROFITABLE DISCOURSE ON JOHN 6:37 SHOWING THE CAUSE, TRUTH, AND MANNER OF THE COMING OF A SINNER TO JESUS CHRIST; WITH HIS HAPPY RECEPTION AND BLESSED ENTERTAINMENT. WRITTEN BY JOHN BUNYAN, AUTHOR OF "THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS." "And they shall come which were ready to perish."--Isaiah 27:13. London, 1681. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "Come and welcome to Jesus Christ," is a subject peculiarly fitted to the deep and searching experience of John Bunyan. He knew all the wiles of sin and …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Thy Name: My Name
'I have called thee by thy name.'--ISAIAH xliii. 1. 'Every one that is called by My name.'--ISAIAH xliii. 7. Great stress is laid on names in Scripture. These two parallel and antithetic clauses bring out striking complementary relations between God and the collective Israel. But they are as applicable to each individual member of the true Israel of God. I. What does God's calling a man by his name imply? 1. Intimate knowledge. Adam naming the creatures. Christ naming His disciples. 2. Loving friendship. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Justifying or Sanctifying Grace
Sanctifying grace is defined by Deharbe as "an unmerited, supernatural gift, imparted to the soul by the Holy Ghost, by which we are made just, children of God, and heirs of Heaven." As it makes sinners just, sanctifying grace is also called justifying, though this appellation can not be applied to the sanctification of our first parents in Paradise or to that of the angels and the sinless soul of Christ. Justification, as we have shown, consists in the infusion of sanctifying grace, and hence it …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

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