Vindication of the Lord
October 6, 2021
Commentary
This chapter deals with the overthrow of Babylon. Just as prophets, priests and kings were anointed by God to perform His special service, so Cyrus was anointed by God to perform his special service for Israel’s sake. The word “anointed” is the same term used to describe the relationship of Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David, had with God. Since Israel in exile had no king, Cyrus functioned, in a sense, as her king (vv. 1-3). Like the Messiah who would come after him, the mission of Cyrus was to free the people and to bring God’s judgment on unbelievers. Even though Cyrus enjoyed a special relationship with God and was honored by Him, he still was not a believer because he did not acknowledge the Lord as the true God (v. 4).
In Cyrus day the Lord was not universally acknowledged but eventually He will be (vv. 5-7). When the millennial kingdom is established on the earth the heavens will rain down righteousness (figuratively speaking) and God’s standards will be followed (v. 8).When someone who is created voices disapproval to the creator’s work he risks receiving impending doom (vv. 9-13)
Cyrus was merely a tool used by God to accomplish His purpose. He was the human instrument for the conquest, but it was God who gave the victories. He served as God’s instrument for turning the direction of history at that time. Anyone who opposed Cyrus was actually arguing with God, and that was like the clay telling the potter what to do. When someone who is created voices disapproval of the creator’s work, he risks receiving a pronouncement of impending doom. God raised up Cyrus to do His specific will (v. 13), and nothing would prevent him from succeeding.
Application
God rules over both light and darkness, over peace and calamity. Both of these experiences are needed for me to grow spiritually. When good times come I need to thank God and when bad times come, don’t resist them but seek what I can learn from this refining experience to make me a better servant of God.
Isaiah 45:1– 13 (NET)
1 “This is what the Lord says to his chosen one, to Cyrus, whose right hand I hold in order to subdue nations before him, and disarm kings, to open doors before him, so gates remain unclosed:
2 ‘I will go before you and level mountains. Bronze doors I will shatter and iron bars I will hack through.
3 I will give you hidden treasures, riches stashed away in secret places, so you may recognize that I am the Lord, the one who calls you by name, the God of Israel.
4 For the sake of my servant Jacob, Israel, my chosen one, I call you by name and give you a title of respect, even though you do not submit to me.
5 I am the Lord, I have no peer, there is no God but me. I arm you for battle, even though you do not recognize me.
6 I do this so people will recognize from east to west that there is no God but me; I am the Lord, I have no peer.
7 I am the one who forms light and creates darkness; the one who brings about peace and creates calamity. I am the Lord, who accomplishes all these things.
8 O sky, rain down from above! Let the clouds send down showers of deliverance! Let the earth absorb it so salvation may grow, and deliverance may sprout up along with it. I, the Lord, create it.’”
9 One who argues with his Creator is in grave danger, one who is like a mere shard among the other shards on the ground! The clay should not say to the potter, “What in the world are you doing? Your work lacks skill!”
10 Danger awaits one who says to his father, “What in the world are you fathering?” and to his mother, “What in the world are you bringing forth?”
11 This is what the Lord says, the Holy One of Israel, the one who formed him, concerning things to come: “How dare you question me about my children! How dare you tell me what to do with the work of my own hands!
12 I made the earth; I created the people who live on it. It was me—my hands stretched out the sky. I give orders to all the heavenly lights.
13 It is me—I stir him up and commission him; I will make all his ways level. He will rebuild my city; he will send my exiled people home, but not for a price or a bribe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.