Isaiah 45 (v15-19)

Isa. 45 begins with Cyrus, God’s anointed and ends with a call to all the nations to be saved.  The chapter is in two parts, the first dealing with Israel’s upcoming problem with the Babylonians; the latter concerning eternal salvation for Israel and the world.

·        v1-13 God speaks to Cyrus (v1-7) and about Cyrus (v8-13)

·        v14-25 God promises Israel eternal salvation (v14-19) and calls the nations to Him for salvation (v20-25).

The Cyrus Prophecy is amazing.  In 44:28 God spoke of “Cyrus, My shepherd” who would bring about the rebuilding of Jerusalem, including the temple.  In 45:1 God refers to Cyrus as “His anointed”, the only time the term for Messiah is used of a pagan king (this term is otherwise reserved for priests, the Davidic King and supremely, the Messiah).  Cyrus is here mentioned by name over 150 years before he was on the scene as King of the Medo-Persian empire that would unseat the Babylonians as the reigning world power.  He would be God’s instrument to deliver Israel (v4): made successful (v2), strengthened (v5), and directed (v13) by “the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker” (v11).

God’s use of Cyrus is not the end of Israel’s story however.  The stage is now set for God to announce through Isaiah a future and far greater deliverance for Israel.  “Israel shall be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation” (v17).  He is, after all, the “God of Israel, the Savior” (v15).  As God saved or delivered Israel from the Babylonians by God’s anointed one Cyrus, so He will provide eternal salvation through His Anointed One, the Messiah.  Verses 18-19 are important in this promise as it reminds us of Who it is that stands behind this promise.  It is the Creator, the ONLY Lord.  What hopeful words are found in v19: “I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain.’”  Israel may think, as some do today, that her sin has caused God to give up on her.  God is faithful to keep His word!  When Israel seeks Him He will answer.

And graciously, the same is true for people in every nation.  Though they have prayed to a god that cannot save (v20) God calls them to look to Him and be saved (v22).  He is not only Israel’s Savior; to the nations He is a “just God and a Savior” (v21).  God’s plan is bigger than Israel, though it involves Israel.  He says, “to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath” (v23).  These words are repeated in Philippians 2:5-11 where it speaks of Jesus the Messiah who is the Lord, the Savior, who left the glories of heaven for earth.  There He died as the sacrifice and atonement for the sins of the world.

Whatever your nationality, God calls today as He did in Isaiah’s day: “Look to Me, and be saved”.  Today will you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead?  God’s promise is, YOU WILL BE SAVED! (Romans 10:9-10).