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.
Isaiah 45 is a chapter of profound theological and historical significance. It is nestled within the book of Isaiah, a prophetic book in the Old Testament of the Bible, traditionally attributed to the prophet Isaiah. This chapter is one of the most significant in the entire book, as it outlines God's sovereignty, His purpose, and His plan for His people. The chapter also provides a unique perspective on God's relationship with Cyrus, the Persian king, who is surprisingly addressed as a 'messiah' or 'anointed one'.
The chapter commences with the Lord speaking to Cyrus, whom He has anointed for a specific purpose. The notion of a non-Israelite king being anointed was groundbreaking, demonstrating God's universal sovereignty and His ability to utilize anyone to accomplish His divine objectives. The text reads, "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;" (Isaiah 45:1, KJV).
The use of Cyrus, a Gentile king, as an instrument of God's purpose, underscores the theme of God's sovereignty. God's sovereignty is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, but it is particularly salient in Isaiah 45. The chapter portrays God as the supreme ruler of the universe, who can raise up and bring down kings and nations at His will. This theme is encapsulated in verse 7, where God declares: "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things." (Isaiah 45:7, KJV)
The implication here is that nothing happens outside of God's control. He is the author of all things, both good and bad, and His will cannot be thwarted. This theme of God's sovereignty is juxtaposed with the theme of human instrumentality. God uses Cyrus, a human agent, to accomplish His divine purposes. This demonstrates that while God is ultimately in control, He often works through human agents to fulfill His plans.
Another significant theme in Isaiah 45 is the purpose and plan of God. The chapter reveals that God has a specific plan for His people and that He is actively working to bring this plan to fruition. God's purpose for Cyrus is to enable the Israelites' return from exile and the reconstruction of Jerusalem, including the temple. God's plan is not just for Cyrus and the Israelites but for all nations. The chapter concludes with a promise of salvation for all nations: "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:22, KJV)
This universal call to salvation underscores the inclusivity of God's plan. It suggests that God's purpose extends beyond the confines of Israel to encompass all nations. This theme of the universal scope of God's plan is a critical component of the biblical narrative, culminating in the New Testament with the proclamation of the gospel to all nations.
Isaiah 45 also emphasizes the uniqueness of God. This chapter includes one of the most unequivocal assertions of monotheism in the Old Testament. God declares, "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me." (Isaiah 45:5, KJV) This statement not only underscores God's uniqueness but also highlights the ignorance of those who fail to recognize Him.
The theme of God's uniqueness permeates the entire chapter. It is reflected in God's sovereignty over the world, His purpose for His people, and His plan for all nations. The chapter concludes with the affirmation of God's uniqueness, declaring that every knee will bow and every tongue will swear allegiance to Him.
In conclusion, Isaiah 45 is a rich and profound chapter that explores several significant themes. It presents a comprehensive picture of God's sovereignty, His purpose, His plan for His people, and His uniqueness. The chapter's historical and theological insights provide a valuable lens through which to understand the broader biblical narrative.
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