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Chapter 45 - Do Not Question The LORD's Choice The LORD desired to be proclaimed by His chosen people - the Jews, they refused to believe and could not be established as his witnesses. The LORD chose Cyrus to be His witness. In 45:28 The LORD states that He is the One who told Cyrus what to do. Cyrus was a sign to the unbelieving Jews. [The sign - When Cyrus conquers the world the desolation will soon end].
45:1- Cyrus was anointed - How was he anointed - [45:14] Surely God is in thee - The nation would know there was something different about Cyrus - they would look at Cyrus and know God was in him (in the midst of all he did, true, but could Cyrus been a Gentile that The LORD indwelled him with His Spirit to perform the task before him? 45:2 - Cyrus was raised in righteousness (41:2) you can not serve the LORD until you are declared righteous (Isaiah 6 is Isaiah's preparation - (Isaiah 6:7) 45:2 - Cyrus holden - Why to subdue nations 45:4 - Cyrus was called for Jacobs sake 45:5-6 - Cyrus was girded for HIS (the LORD's) glory It's about him but it is really about HIM
Why the woes of verses 45:9 & 45:10? In verses 7 & 8 The LORD declares Himself as the sovereign creator. He alone can cause righteousness to be declared, He is in control of light and darkness, He alone controls peace and evil. In verse 13 He declares the He alone controls what will happen to His people. Verse 14 The LORD declares that the great nations would bring all of their splendor before Cyrus and he would be given it all. Those who come before his throne will be confounded and ashamed (Verse 16); I believe not because of the man Cyrus but because Cyrus knows and acknowledges that The LORD God of Israel, He alone is God. The greatness does not lie in the man Cyrus, but in his message.
*Judah would question The LORD's use of Cyrus and they did when He would use any Gentile nation - {they knew they were His chosen people and felt He was the God of Israel only} See Note #1 - Woe to anyone who strives with their Maker or questions what He is doing or how He chooses to receive the glory do His name - Judah if you will not serve and honor ME I will honor a Gentile who will glorify Me. and don't you question my actions - I made you. Woe to those who questions my choice - I your Maker commanded this to come about. We have seen that this is a picture of Christ setting upon his throne and those brought before His judgment. Verse 17-25 point out something Cyrus can not be a picture of - The One who will bring everlasting salvation to Israel. Cyrus only bring temporary comfort. Isaiah 45:25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. That Day will come.
This is the Old Testament's message: Believe the Lord, The Holy One Of Israel that He is GOD and be established. We have see Cyrus as a type of John The Baptist, as Jesus Christ setting upon the throne in righteous judgment. Could he also be a type of the church? Jesus Christ ministry was to the Jew first. He offered the blessing of delivering the Gospel to the world to the Jew first. As a nation they rejected Him as their Messiah and Savior. Romans is the 45th book of the Bible - This begins the epistles to the churches, mainly gentile churches. It is Romans the set forth the road to salvation and his teaching on church order and the Jews hated his ministry to the gentiles. John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. They called him devil possessed and sent him to the cross - They could not except the idea of the gentiles being saved and taking the Gospel to other Gentiles and Jews. Woe to him hat strives with His maker and questions how He has chosen to receive the glory due his name.
New Testament message; Believe the Lord, The Holy One Of Israel that He is GOD and be established. But with a kicker - Ye must be born again to be established
Isaiah 26:13 O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. Malachi 3:14, Malachi 2:17 Lamentations 5: all, Zephaniah 1:12 Matthew 13:53-58 |