Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it.
Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?
Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts.
Thus saith the Lord, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.
Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.
They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.
But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.
I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
Isaiah 45 reveals God's sovereign control over history and His surprising use of unlikely instruments to accomplish His purposes. This chapter, rich in theological significance and practical application, speaks of God's power, His promise to Israel, and His ultimate plan for the salvation of all nations. It's a powerful reminder that God is at work, even when we don't understand His methods.
God's Anointing of Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1-8)
The prophecy regarding Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1) stands as a testament to God's foreknowledge and power. God identifies Cyrus, a pagan king who reigned centuries later, as His anointed one, chosen to liberate Israel from Babylonian captivity. God declares that He will go before Cyrus, leveling mountains and breaking down gates of bronze (Isaiah 45:2). This vividly illustrates God's providential hand guiding Cyrus's conquests and ensuring his success. Even though Cyrus does not know God (Isaiah 45:4-5), he will be instrumental in fulfilling God's plan for His people. This surprising choice underscores that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or beliefs, to achieve His purposes. The ultimate aim is that the world, from east to west, will recognize that there is no God besides the LORD (Isaiah 45:6).
The Potter and the Clay (Isaiah 45:9-13)
This section addresses the human tendency to question God's actions. God rebukes those who would argue with their Maker (Isaiah 45:9), using the analogy of a potter and the clay. Just as the clay cannot question the potter's design, so too, humans should not presume to understand or challenge God's sovereign will. God is the Creator of all things (Isaiah 45:12), and He has the right to determine the course of history. Who are we to criticize our parents for giving us birth (Isaiah 45:9-10)? Therefore, Israel should not question God's decision to use Cyrus, an unrighteous king, to accomplish His righteous purposes (Isaiah 45:13). God is the author of the story, and we are His creation; He gets to decide how the game is played.
The Salvation of the Gentiles (Isaiah 45:14-19)
God's plan extends beyond Israel to include the Gentile nations. Isaiah prophesies of a time when these nations will acknowledge the God of Israel, declaring, "God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God" (Isaiah 45:14). Some believe this refers to the millennial reign of Christ, when He will return in glory and power. Israel will be purged of her unbelief and acknowledge Him as Messiah and Savior. This will mark Israel’s true golden age, a time when the nation will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation and will not be put to shame (Isaiah 45:17). Furthermore, God reaffirms His role as the Creator of the heavens and the earth (Isaiah 45:18), emphasizing His unique power and authority.
A Universal Call to Salvation (Isaiah 45:20-25)
The chapter concludes with a powerful invitation to all nations to turn to the Lord for salvation. God urges them to abandon their idols and recognize Him as the only true God (Isaiah 45:20-21). The invitation is clear: "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other" (Isaiah 45:22). Resistance is futile, for one day, "every knee will bow" and "every tongue will swear allegiance" to Him (Isaiah 45:23). The Apostle Paul applies this passage to Jesus Christ in Philippians 2:10-11, demonstrating Christ's deity and the universality of His Lordship. Therefore, all people face a choice: to bow willingly in faith and confess Jesus Christ as the only Savior, or to be broken by His wrath and forced to bow in judgment. This chapter highlights the inclusive nature of God's salvation, extending to all who call upon His name.
Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else.
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it.
Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?
Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts.
Thus saith the Lord, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.
Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.
They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.
But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.
I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
Isaiah 45 reveals God's sovereign control over history and His surprising use of unlikely instruments to accomplish His purposes. This chapter, rich in theological significance and practical application, speaks of God's power, His promise to Israel, and His ultimate plan for the salvation of all nations. It's a powerful reminder that God is at work, even when we don't understand His methods.
God's Anointing of Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1-8)
The prophecy regarding Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1) stands as a testament to God's foreknowledge and power. God identifies Cyrus, a pagan king who reigned centuries later, as His anointed one, chosen to liberate Israel from Babylonian captivity. God declares that He will go before Cyrus, leveling mountains and breaking down gates of bronze (Isaiah 45:2). This vividly illustrates God's providential hand guiding Cyrus's conquests and ensuring his success. Even though Cyrus does not know God (Isaiah 45:4-5), he will be instrumental in fulfilling God's plan for His people. This surprising choice underscores that God can use anyone, regardless of their background or beliefs, to achieve His purposes. The ultimate aim is that the world, from east to west, will recognize that there is no God besides the LORD (Isaiah 45:6).
The Potter and the Clay (Isaiah 45:9-13)
This section addresses the human tendency to question God's actions. God rebukes those who would argue with their Maker (Isaiah 45:9), using the analogy of a potter and the clay. Just as the clay cannot question the potter's design, so too, humans should not presume to understand or challenge God's sovereign will. God is the Creator of all things (Isaiah 45:12), and He has the right to determine the course of history. Who are we to criticize our parents for giving us birth (Isaiah 45:9-10)? Therefore, Israel should not question God's decision to use Cyrus, an unrighteous king, to accomplish His righteous purposes (Isaiah 45:13). God is the author of the story, and we are His creation; He gets to decide how the game is played.
The Salvation of the Gentiles (Isaiah 45:14-19)
God's plan extends beyond Israel to include the Gentile nations. Isaiah prophesies of a time when these nations will acknowledge the God of Israel, declaring, "God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God" (Isaiah 45:14). Some believe this refers to the millennial reign of Christ, when He will return in glory and power. Israel will be purged of her unbelief and acknowledge Him as Messiah and Savior. This will mark Israel’s true golden age, a time when the nation will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation and will not be put to shame (Isaiah 45:17). Furthermore, God reaffirms His role as the Creator of the heavens and the earth (Isaiah 45:18), emphasizing His unique power and authority.
A Universal Call to Salvation (Isaiah 45:20-25)
The chapter concludes with a powerful invitation to all nations to turn to the Lord for salvation. God urges them to abandon their idols and recognize Him as the only true God (Isaiah 45:20-21). The invitation is clear: "Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other" (Isaiah 45:22). Resistance is futile, for one day, "every knee will bow" and "every tongue will swear allegiance" to Him (Isaiah 45:23). The Apostle Paul applies this passage to Jesus Christ in Philippians 2:10-11, demonstrating Christ's deity and the universality of His Lordship. Therefore, all people face a choice: to bow willingly in faith and confess Jesus Christ as the only Savior, or to be broken by His wrath and forced to bow in judgment. This chapter highlights the inclusive nature of God's salvation, extending to all who call upon His name.