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)
This passage is God’s promise that Egypt and the Sabeans (Arabs from Seba in Southern Arabia) shall fall down and acknowledge that Jehovah is the only God (v. 14). Though at times it may seem as if the Lord is hiding, He really is the Savior of Israel (v. 15). The people who persist in idol worship will be ashamed, but the believing Israelites will never be ashamed for they will enjoy God’s salvation forever (vv. 16-17). God’s purpose for creation was a place for mankind to live and for the salvation of mankind (vv. 18-19). God calls His people to assemble themselves from among the nations (Gentiles) and return to Him v. 20). He is not only superior to the idols of wood, but He is the one who can predict the future with the accuracy that only the true and living God can do (v. 21). His invitation is to all the people of the earth (v. 22). God’s promise is that everyone will bow down and worship Him (v. 23). Everyone who is angry at Him will be terribly ashamed and turn to Him (v. 24). This chapter ends with the statement; “In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified” (vv. 25). Israel was to be the means through which the whole world would come to know God. However, God makes it clear that his people include all those who follow Him.
Application
God rules over both light and darkness, over peace and calamity. Both experiences are needed for me to grow spiritually. When good times come, I need to thank God, and when bad times come, I must not resist them but seek to learn what I can from these refining experiences.
Isaiah 45:1–25 (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.
14 This is what the Lord says: “The profit of Egypt and the revenue of Ethiopia, along with the Sabeans, those tall men, will be brought to you and become yours. They will walk behind you, coming along in chains. They will bow down to you and pray to you: ‘Truly God is with you; he has no peer; there is no other God!’”
15 Yes, you are a God who keeps hidden, O God of Israel, deliverer!
16 They will all be ashamed and embarrassed; those who fashion idols will all be humiliated.
17 Israel will be delivered once and for all by the Lord; you will never again be ashamed or humiliated.
18 For this is what the Lord says, the one who created the sky— he is the true God, the one who formed the earth and made it; he established it, he did not create it without order, he formed it to be inhabited: “I am the Lord, I have no peer.
19 I have not spoken in secret, in some hidden place. I did not tell Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain!’ I am the Lord, the one who speaks honestly, who makes reliable announcements.
20 Gather together and come! Approach together, you refugees from the nations. Those who carry wooden idols know nothing, those who pray to a god that cannot deliver.
21 Tell me! Present the evidence! Let them consult with one another. Who predicted this in the past? Who announced it beforehand? Was it not I, the Lord? I have no peer, there is no God but me, a God who vindicates and delivers; there is none but me.
22 Turn to me so you can be delivered, all you who live in the earth’s remote regions! For I am God, and I have no peer.
23 I solemnly make this oath — what I say is true and reliable: ‘Surely every knee will bow to me, every tongue will solemnly affirm;
24 they will say about me, “Yes, the Lord is a powerful deliverer.”’” All who are angry at him will cower before him.
25 All the descendants of Israel will be vindicated by the Lord and will boast in him.
The Most Deadly Instrument is Not a Gun
The second most deadly instrument is a loaded gun. The first is the human tongue. The gun merely kills bodies. The tongue kills reputations and oftentimes ruins character. (Source Unknown – Lou Nicholes, Missionary/Author).