Isaiah 45: God is in Control

 Isaiah 45: God is in Control

v1-7, 13: Cyrus, God's Servant

Cyrus the Great (Cyrus II) was the Persian king who overthrew the ruling Median Empire in 550 BC. In 538 BC, he attacked and conquered Babylon. Cyrus's empire was the largest and covered 5.5 million square kilometers, from Eastern Europe to Indus valley in the East. The empire was known as Achaemenid Empire (named after the first Persian King.)

The prophecy of Cyrus in Isaiah was an amazing miracle in terms of it's precision and timing. Since Isaiah died in 681 BC, Cyrus name was mentioned over 140 years before he was born. This is the reason why critiques believe that chapters 40-55 were written only after the exile, by another person called "Deutoro-Isaiah" (Second Isaiah). However, nothing is impossible for God to do.

In verse 3, God said he will reveal Himself to Cyrus so "that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name."  In verse 13, God said Cyrus will set the exiles free and will re-build His city (Jerusalem).  

It is amazing that Cyrus, a pagan king, actually did that. This edict was written in 539 BC by Cyrus:

‘Thus says King Cyrus of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah.  Any of those among you who are of his people—may their God be with them!—are now permitted to go up to Jerusalem in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem; 4and let all survivors, in whatever place they reside, be assisted by the people of their place with silver and gold, with goods and with animals, besides freewill-offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.’ (Ezra 1:2)

God named Cyrus in the scripture even before he was born, so that when the time comes, the Israelites will know that God had fulfilled his promises. "That people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other" (v6)

Even today, God calls us to be his servant by our personal names, even before we were born, even though we are all sinners saved by grace. "I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me." (v4) It is a wonderful privilege to be part of "His-story" that God is building for His kingdom.

v8-12: God's Sovereignty

During the exile to Babylon, many people would have been disappointed with God. They may have questioned Him or totally disbelief that there is an almighty God. But God's ultimate objective is to create salvation and righteousness. It's interesting that salvation does not depend on our righteousness, but that both will happen together: "salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; ... I the Lord have created it" (v8). 

We do not deserve any credit, for "Lord have created it", referring to the sacrificial work on the cross and the righteousness of Jesus Christ. "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Cor 5:21)

God addresses those who doubted him, by asking "Does the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' or 'Your work has no handles?'. (v9).  Each of us are different in physical and in mental capabilities, but each of us are also special so that we can play our part on Earth for His purpose. 

v14-24: God the Savior

At the end, all nations will realise that God is the only God and savior, and that there are no other. They will recognize that He was the creator of the earth and filled it with life. He invited everyone to believe him and be saved.

"Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance." (v22,23).