The servant of the Lord is commissioned to gather the dispersed people of Israel. However, as important as this might be, it is really too narrow a responsibility. Therefore, the mission of the servant will be expanded to include all of the nations. A mission that originally focused on the rebirth of one nation is broken open to include the salvation of all. It is noteworthy that a people struggling with its own survival after its defeat at the hands of a more powerful nation should envision its God as concerned with the salvation of all, presumably even the nation at whose hands it suffered. Yet this is precisely what “light to the nations” suggests.
Paul provides a brief summary of some of the stages in the unfolding of God’s plan of salvation. It began with David, who, though originally overlooked, eventually established the royal dynasty from which came the Messiah. God continued to ready the world for the advent of this messiah through the preaching of John the Baptist. Paul’s purpose in reminding his hearers of the roles played by David and John was to place his own preaching squarely within this tradition. Here Paul is speaking to people who would have appreciated his references to David and who might even have had some acquaintance with John the Baptist.
In Israelite society, circumcision was the boy’s initiation into the community of the people of God. Here circumcision and naming have been combined. It is clear that this was truly a chosen child, for his father Zechariah was given back his speech when he confirmed that the child was to be named John. John had indeed been set apart by God for a mission to the people of Israel. In preparation for this, he spent his days in the wilderness, the place that was traditionally considered a testing ground. It was there that he was strengthened in spirit for the task before him.