Summary of Isaiah 45:1-13: Cyrus’s many victories, and the power and wealth he gained through them, were all planned by God. God was preparing the way so that Cyrus could conquer Babylon and release the Jews. Throughout these events, Cyrus did not know God and was unaware that God was using him to carry out his purposes for Israel (Isaiah 45:1-4).
To Cyrus, his release of the captive Jews was a relatively minor event in his long and glorious career, but in the eyes of God it was the purpose for which he had risen to international power. When people recognize this as God’s doing, they will praise him as the only true God (Isaiah 45:5-7). Israel, meanwhile, will enter a new era of divine blessing (Isaiah 45:8). Some Israelites may have questioned God’s wisdom in using a heathen king to bring about their restoration. God replies that they have no right to argue with him or question the way he deals with his children (Isaiah 45:9-11). God is the creator and controller of the universe. He has used Cyrus to give the Jews their freedom and the chance to rebuild Jerusalem, and the Jews have not needed to do anything. For this they should be thankful to God (Isaiah 45:12-13).
This Sunday we continue our Bible Study on Isaiah focusing on verses 9-13 and our sermon will come from the book of Obadiah.
Praying everyone has a blessed week,
In Christ,
Gary T.