1 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;
2 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:
3 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.
4 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.
5 I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
6 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.
7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].
8 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.
9 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?
10 Woe unto him that saith unto [his] father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?
11 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.
12 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.
13 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.
14 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.
15 Verily thou [art] a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.
16 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together [that are] makers of idols.
17 [But] Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
18 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.
19 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.
20 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.
21 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.
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else.
23 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.
24 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.
25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
Overview of Isaiah Chapter 45
Isaiah Chapter 45 is a significant passage in the Book of Isaiah, where the prophet conveys a message from God regarding the sovereignty of the Lord and the role of Cyrus, the Persian king, in God’s divine plan. This chapter emphasizes themes of divine authority, the uniqueness of God, and the eventual recognition of God’s power by all nations.
Key Themes
- Divine Sovereignty: The chapter highlights God’s control over history and His ability to use even foreign rulers to fulfill His purposes.
- God’s Uniqueness: It asserts that there is no other god besides the Lord, emphasizing His singularity and power.
- Restoration and Redemption: The promise of restoration for Israel is a central focus, indicating God’s commitment to His people.
- Universal Recognition: The chapter foretells a time when all nations will acknowledge the Lord as the only true God.
Structure of the Chapter
- Verses 1-7: God’s Anointing of Cyrus
- Verses 8-13: The Call for Righteousness and Justice
- Verses 14-17: The Recognition of God by Nations
- Verses 18-25: The Assurance of Salvation and Righteousness
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-7: God’s Anointing of Cyrus
In these opening verses, God declares His anointing of Cyrus, referring to him as His “shepherd” and “anointed one.” This is significant as it illustrates God’s ability to use a non-Israelite leader to accomplish His will. God promises to go before Cyrus, making the paths straight and breaking down barriers.
- Verse 1: God calls Cyrus by name, indicating a personal relationship and purpose.
- Verse 2: The imagery of breaking gates and iron bars symbolizes the removal of obstacles for Israel’s return from exile.
- Verse 3: God promises treasures hidden in darkness, representing the wealth and resources that will be made available to Israel through Cyrus.
- Verse 5-7: God emphasizes His uniqueness, declaring that there is no other god, reinforcing His sovereignty over all creation.
Verses 8-13: The Call for Righteousness and Justice
These verses transition to a call for righteousness and justice, urging the heavens to rejoice and the earth to be fruitful. God expresses His desire for a world characterized by righteousness, which is aligned with His nature.
- Verse 8: The imagery of righteousness and salvation coming down from heaven signifies divine intervention in human affairs.
- Verse 9-10: A warning against questioning God’s plans, illustrating the futility of human arrogance.
- Verse 11-13: God asserts His authority to raise up leaders and accomplish His purposes, reiterating His control over history.
Verses 14-17: The Recognition of God by Nations
In this section, the chapter shifts to the acknowledgment of God by the nations. It predicts that even those who are not part of Israel will come to recognize and worship the Lord.
- Verse 14: Nations will come to Israel, acknowledging the God of Israel as the true God.
- Verse 15: Acknowledges God’s hiddenness and the mystery of His ways, suggesting that His actions may not always be understood.
- Verse 16-17: Contrasts the fate of those who reject God with the salvation of Israel, emphasizing the ultimate triumph of God’s people.
Verses 18-25: The Assurance of Salvation and Righteousness
The final verses of the chapter provide assurance of salvation and the righteousness that comes from God. It emphasizes that God is the creator and that He has a plan for His people.
- Verse 18: God is portrayed as the creator who formed the earth with a purpose, highlighting His intentionality.
- Verse 19: God speaks truthfully and openly, contrasting the deceptive nature of idols.
- Verse 20-22: A call to turn to God for salvation, emphasizing His accessibility and willingness to save.
- Verse 23-25: The chapter concludes with a declaration that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess the Lord, affirming the universal recognition of God’s sovereignty.
Conclusion
Isaiah Chapter 45 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty and His ability to use anyone, even those outside His covenant community, to fulfill His divine purposes. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing God’s authority and the promise of eventual restoration and salvation for His people. The chapter calls for a response of faith and acknowledgment of the one true God, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative of redemption in the biblical text.
