We have learned from Isaiah’s message of hope and comfort, his assurance that God draws near to those in the dry places and rough terrain, and that God is ever creating, doing new things in our lives. The story of Cyrus reminds us that God often uses human leaders to accomplish his purposes, to be that source of help.
The historical context is one of exile for the people. They had been conquered and driven from their homes, communities, and place of worship. They were exiles in a foreign land, oppressed and powerless. To the specific context of these terrible circumstances, the prophet Jeremiah expressed one of the most well known words of encouragement in the Bible .. “I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”
The specific plans that God had for the people at that time were to bring them back to their home. Cyrus, a human leader with vast political power, was the human instrument that God used to make this happen. Cyrus was not a Hebrew / Israelite worshipper of Yahweh, as far as we know, but God appointed him to have mercy on these people and make it possible for them to return to their homes. (Ref: Ezra 1:1-4, Jeremiah 29:10-14)
Isaiah 45 points out specific qualities that Cyrus had or attributes that God endowed him with in order to bring this about. He was anointed by God, and God “took him by the hand.” He was appointed to shatter doors and cut through iron bars, and make rough places smooth, to gain freedom for the exiles and build God’s city. He was called by God, given a title of honor, aroused in righteousness, and given strength. God promised to make his way smooth, yet Cyrus was not motivated by payment or reward, but by a righteous concern.
Whether we are in need of help, or in a position to help others, God wants to be involved in the process. Take note of the progression of this theme. The prophet states .. “let the rough ground become a plain, the rugged terrain a broad valley.” (40:4) Then God promises that he himself will be the source of help .. “I will make darkness into light .. rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, I will not leave them undone.” (42:16) Then the role of the leader used by God .. “I will go before you (Cyrus) and make the rough places smooth.” (45:2)
For these people, it was a path to return home. For us, the needs may be different, but within the purposes of God, we also can have hope.
Background
Kings Saul, David, Solomon (1050-930); Divided Kingdom: Israel and Judah (930); Fall of Israel / Northern Kingdom: (722), exile to Assyria; Fall of Judah / Southern Kingdom: (587-586) (fall of Jerusalem); EXILE; Edict of Cyrus – (538).
Cyrus, a Persian King who ruled over most of the Middle East at that time – Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, Palestine, and later his son also ruled Egypt.
Jeremiah 29:10-14 “For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’”
Ezra 1:1-4 “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem. And every survivor, at whatever place he may live, let the men of that place support him with silver and gold, with goods and cattle, together with a freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.’”
The historical context is one of exile for the people. They had been conquered and driven from their homes, communities, and place of worship. They were exiles in a foreign land, oppressed and powerless. To the specific context of these terrible circumstances, the prophet Jeremiah expressed one of the most well known words of encouragement in the Bible .. “I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”
The specific plans that God had for the people at that time were to bring them back to their home. Cyrus, a human leader with vast political power, was the human instrument that God used to make this happen. Cyrus was not a Hebrew / Israelite worshipper of Yahweh, as far as we know, but God appointed him to have mercy on these people and make it possible for them to return to their homes. (Ref: Ezra 1:1-4, Jeremiah 29:10-14)
Isaiah 45 points out specific qualities that Cyrus had or attributes that God endowed him with in order to bring this about. He was anointed by God, and God “took him by the hand.” He was appointed to shatter doors and cut through iron bars, and make rough places smooth, to gain freedom for the exiles and build God’s city. He was called by God, given a title of honor, aroused in righteousness, and given strength. God promised to make his way smooth, yet Cyrus was not motivated by payment or reward, but by a righteous concern.
Whether we are in need of help, or in a position to help others, God wants to be involved in the process. Take note of the progression of this theme. The prophet states .. “let the rough ground become a plain, the rugged terrain a broad valley.” (40:4) Then God promises that he himself will be the source of help .. “I will make darkness into light .. rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, I will not leave them undone.” (42:16) Then the role of the leader used by God .. “I will go before you (Cyrus) and make the rough places smooth.” (45:2)
For these people, it was a path to return home. For us, the needs may be different, but within the purposes of God, we also can have hope.
Background
Kings Saul, David, Solomon (1050-930); Divided Kingdom: Israel and Judah (930); Fall of Israel / Northern Kingdom: (722), exile to Assyria; Fall of Judah / Southern Kingdom: (587-586) (fall of Jerusalem); EXILE; Edict of Cyrus – (538).
Cyrus, a Persian King who ruled over most of the Middle East at that time – Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, Palestine, and later his son also ruled Egypt.
Jeremiah 29:10-14 “For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’”
Ezra 1:1-4 “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem. And every survivor, at whatever place he may live, let the men of that place support him with silver and gold, with goods and cattle, together with a freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.’”