Listen to Me, O islands, And pay attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called Me from the womb; From the body of My mother He named Me. (Isaiah 49:1)

from the womb . . . the body of my mother. The whole world, including Gentiles (“coastlands,” “peoples from afar”) are called to recognize two significant points: 1) the Messiah/Servant will be a human being, born as others are of a woman, yet virgin born, and 2) he will be an individual as distinct from a personified group such as the nation of Israel, which has also been called the Lord’s servant. (John MacArthur)

This is directed to the isles (that is, the Gentiles, for they are called the isles of the Gentiles, (Genesis 10:5) and to the people from far, that were strangers to the commonwealth of Israel, and afar off. Let these listen as to a thing at a distance, which yet they are to hear with desire and attention. Note, 1. The tidings of a Redeemer are sent to the Gentiles, and to those that lie most remote; and they are concerned to listen to them. 2. The Gentiles listened to the gospel when the Jews were deaf to it. (Matthew Henry)