17 October 2000

Isaiah 44:26-45:25

PROPHECY CONCERNING CYRUS THE PERSIAN KING
1. Prophecy declared by Isaiah Isa 44:28
2. The actual name "Cyrus" was stated Isa 44:28
3. This prophetic utterance was made 150 years before Cyrus was born
4. Persia was not a powerful state at the time of prophecy
5. Assyria was then an ascending power
6. Babylon was prophesied as the power after Assyria Isa 13-14
7. Persia was prophesied as the third power that God would raise up

SPECIAL TASK FOR CYRUS TO PERFORM
1. He will be God's "shepherd" Isa 44:28
2. He will perform all that God will order him to do Isa 44:28
3. He will help Israel to build a new Temple at Jerusalem (post exilic) Isa 44:28; Ez 1:1-5

CYRUS IN GOD'S APPOINTMENT
1. He is called God's "anointed" (The same word for "Messiah") Isa 45:1
2. He is going to be upheld by God Himself Isa 45:1
3. He will "subdue nations..." Isa 45:1
4. God will "go before him" Isa 45:2
5. God will "give him treasures... hidden riches" Isa 45:3
6. God has "called" Cyrus to perform this task, even though he does not know Him Isa 45:4
7. God will "gird him" even though Cyrus does not know Him
8. God will direct all his ways, and he shall build His city Isa 45:13
9. However, God will make sure that Cyrus acknowledges that the One who is sovereign over all is none other than the LORD, the God of Israel Isa 45:3, 5, 6-8
a) There is no other God besides the LORD Isa 45:5, 6
b) He is the Creator Isa 45:7-8

"FOR MY SERVANT'S SAKE" Isa 45:4
1. God has plans for the whole earth
2. God has a special plan for Israel simply because of a Master-servant relationship
3. God will move even mighty nations to fulfill all that He has planned for His servant

ISRAEL'S FOOLISH BENT TOWARDS FINDING FAULT WITH GOD
1. Israel has always striven with God Isa 45:9
a) Imagery of the clay with the Potter
b) Imagery of a child to his parents

2. God has to pronounce a sad "Woe" to Israel for its folly

ENCOURAGEMENT TO SEEK GOD IN PRAYER INSTEAD
1. "Ask Me of things concerning My sons" Isa 45:11
2. "Concerning the work of My hands, command Me" Isa 45:11
3. Compare John 14:13-14, "Whatever you ask in My Name..."

LOOKING BEYOND THE POST-EXILIC RESTORATION PROGRAMME
1. God will cause Persia to serve Israel's interest Isa 45:13
2. He will do more than that in the Messianic period Isa 45:14
a) He will cause other nations to serve Israel Isa 45:14
b) They will acknowledge God's Presence in the midst of Israel Isa 45:14
c) They will also acknowledge that there is no other God Isa 45:14

ISAIAH'S APPRECIATION OF GOD
1. He is a God who "hides Himself"
a) His wisdom is hidden
b) His plans are hidden
c) His power is hidden
d) His glory is hidden
e) Nevertheless He is still the "God of Israel, the Saviour"

2. The Lord will save Israel with an eternal salvation Isa 45:17
3. The God of Israel is the Creator Isa 45:18
4. He has given many wonderful promises to Israel and no one who turns to Him will "seek Him in vain" Isa 45:19
5. He is the One and only God who can make true prophetic statements and fulfil them Isa 45:21 (Cf. Isa 41:22)

A STERN WORD OF REBUKE TO THOSE WHO TURN TO IDOLS
1. Those who turn to idols will one day be ashamed that they did
Isa 45:16
2. They pray to a god (idols) that cannot save Isa 45:20

AN INVITATION TO LOOK TO GOD AND BE SAVED
1. To turn to God and Him alone Isa 45:22
2. To believe His Word spoken in righteousness Isa 45:23
3. One day every knee shall bow before God Isa 45:23
a) There will be those who will bow the knee in worship and adoration and declare that they have found "righteousness and strength" Isa 45:24
b) There will be those who will be ashamed that they were incensed against God (but they too will have to bow the knee to God) Isa 45:24
c) Those who turn to the Lord will "be justified and shall glory"
Isa 45:25