Isaiah 45
-God speaks to Cyrus, the Gentile
King of the Kingdom of Persia, and calls him anointed for the work of subduing
nations and open doors. This is the only time in Scripture where a Gentile is
called anointed of God. He has a special work of bringing back the children of
Israel into the land to rebuild the Temple and return from their time of
captivity in Babylon. God’s power upon Cyrus is palpable with strength, honor,
and dignity. It is all for the sake of Jacob, His servant and chosen people.
Even though it is stated that Cyrus doesn’t even know the LORD, the LORD will
gird him for the purpose of men knowing from the rising to the setting of the
sun that there is none other besides the Living God, “the One forming light and
creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity (Isaiah 45:1-7).”
-God’s supreme power is further
extrapolated in the text in the context of the Gentile ruler. The clouds will
pour down righteousness and God’s salvation will bear fruit. God’s indwelling
will make people spring up with His righteousness that imparts salvation. He,
the LORD, has created it (Isaiah 45:8). He is the Potter, His creation has no
right to quarrel with their Maker. At His bidding, the great King Cyrus will be
aroused in righteousness and have smooth sailing as he builds back the LORD’s
city (Jerusalem) and lets His people, the exiles, go free without any payment
or reward (Isaiah 45:9-13). The products of Egypt, the merchandise of Cush
(Ethiopia), and the men of stature in Seba (the Sabeans were people in southern
Arabia) will come under King Cyrus’ authority bowing down to him and making
supplication to him. God is with this Gentile king, and there is none else, no
other God. Again, idol manufactures are derided by the prophetic Word for their
shame and humiliation, all of them. “Israel has been saved by the LORD with an
everlasting salvation” through His amazing grace, but those who trust in idols
will be shamed and humiliated for all eternity (Isaiah 45:14-17).
-The LORD has spoken these things
openly and in a straightforward fashion through His prophet Isaiah. He
reiterates His greatness in creation and calls all the nations to gather
themselves and come to Him in order to gain knowledge and belief in the true
God. They are described as fugitives (runaways, deserters) who have wondered
from the truth into the error of idolatry. There is none other beside God, He
is righteous and the only real Savior. The plea is to turn to Him and be saved,
all the ends of the earth. His Word has gone forth in righteousness from His
mouth and it will not turn back. To the LORD every knee will bow, and every
tongue will swear allegiance (Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10-11). “Only in the
LORD are righteousness and strength, men will come to Him, and all who are
angry at Him will be put to shame. In the LORD all the offspring of Israel (the
Israel of faith including Gentiles, Romans 9:20-11:27) will be justified and
will glory (Isaiah 45:18-25).” *Application* God so loves the world and is
working in it to draw all men unto His grace and truth for salvation. You may
not have been born a Jewish person, like myself, but God has a definite call on
your life to bring you into relationship with Him and to live out His purposes
on this earth. Call upon the Name of the LORD, there is no other name by which
man can be eternally saved (Acts 4:12).
Verses to Memorize: Isaiah 45:9, 19
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