Bible Studies

Gods Righteousness Displayed

by Henry Jaegers
08/05/25
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Isaiah Chapter 45

God’s Righteousness Displayed

By Henry Jaegers

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l8uiPaQ1kKJ__oP6kMF4NwePGE5GJMlh/view?usp=sharing

 A Message to Cyrus (Verses 1 through 6)

  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; 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: 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. 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. I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 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.

In considering the history of Israel and Judah, we have before us an instance of the ways that God works in behalf of his people. There are three occasions related to the Captivity of both the northern and southern Kingdom of Israel where God uses a heathen king as his servant.

In the northern kingdom, during the reign of Hezekiah, God used the Assyrian empire to discipline and punish Israel. Then in the book of Jeremiah, we see King Nebuchadnezzar spoken of by God as being His servant. He was raised up by God for this purpose, and God calls him " my servant." " " "

In Isaiah chapter 45, there is given to us another king being raised by God to accomplish another purpose. Significantly, Cyrus, is announced and the service to which he is called takes place close to 200 years before it happened. The purpose of the two prior kings was to bring Israel into captivity. But now the purpose for Cyrus is to release them back into the land from which they were delivered, for the purpose of going forth to rebuild the temple of God. There is something about these verses that brings glory to GodBecause while they are now spoken as a prophetic event, we have a historical record of their taking place exactly as God promised.

There are many questions that enter into our minds as to why it was necessary for God to use a heathen king to accomplish His purposes. It appears that the children of Israel became so settled in their captivity while in Babylon that, when the time arrived after 70 years, it took the edict of a heathen king to force them to leave against their will.

The edict worked, and a sufficient number of Israelis went forth to begin the building of the temple. As it was being accomplished, the way that He chose to do so was also perfect, and the timing was exact. And there is no doubt that this was truly a work of God, and history gives credence to the fact of its fulfillment. The invisible God is able to do as He has promised. And now, before us, we see a message of God to Cyrus, given as he himself received it.

So, what does God have to say to Cyrus? First, he is addressed as God's anointed. That means that he is specifically called and prepared for the service that lies ahead. When it refers to the anointing, it has some relationship to the work of the Holy Spirit. It also refers to the fact that God chose him for this task. The timing of this call was also important because it was given after the completion of those seventy years, prophesied by God in the book of Jeremiah. It took place when Israel was treated more kindly than they had been by the Babylonian lords.

He was told to subdue the nations. As Israel went forth into the Promised Land, there were many enemies along the way, seeking to distract them from accomplishing God's purposes. Cyrus was given the power to destroy anyone who opposed them. God endowed Cyrus with authority and provided protection for Israel. His address included the commands to the kings of the surrounding countries to allow free passage through their lands as they journeyed.

God also promised to make the crooked places straight.

In the past, when leaving Egypt, God led His people to a circuitous route to confuse the enemies that followed. But now, in contrast to that, there will be no enemies following after, and their path will be unhindered as they journey to the Promised Land.

God also promised to give Cyrus the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places. What does that mean? We need to take time to explain.

I think it refers to hearing God speak and discovering things about God that are not usually apparent to those who are not seeking to hear Him. We might describe it as having special insights into what God has to say about Himself and receiving directions compatible with His purposes. We might say it has something to do with his being anointed by God, and being so, he has access to treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

. I think this is the way to understand this. And because he is God, he also can choose who will be his servants and endow them with special skills and understanding to accomplish His purposes.

If you are used to hearing God speak through meditation on the Scriptures, you will understand what this means. When we are in a quiet place, our hearts are susceptible to hearing God speak. At these times, we discover truths that are new and refreshing to our thinking. Perhaps Cyrus, in his mission as God's servant, was given access to these "hidden things." "

Finally, he would be called Cyrus by name. That means that there would be no doubt that this is the work of God because his name would be specifically mentioned beforehand. And when the time of his arrival occurred, there would be no doubt that this was, indeed, the hand of God. The result would be that Cyrus would know of his call, that it was from God, and that the actions of his people would bring glory to God.

God’s Sovereignty declared.   ( Verses 7 and 8)

  I form the light and create darkness: I make peace, and create calamity; I the Lord, do all these things. 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.

Besides calling and anointing Cyrus as the deliverer of His people, there are other things about the God of which we need to be reminded. These people have been in Captivity for 70 years and have not had access to the law of God. Perhaps God has been absent from their thinking without any fault of their own. They have been deprived of the knowledge of God, and now, the gracious God reminds them of who is in control and who is making the promises to them. Such knowledge will enhance their hope and desire to trust Him. What is it that these verses declare?

First, light and darkness are in God's control.

 When they journeyed from Egypt, God provided a fire to lighten the darkness. He also sent darkness to protect them from the pursuing armies of Egypt. He controls where and when they might need them. Light and darkness are in God's control, and He assigns them when needed.

Next, He declares that He makes peace and creates calamity.

 How may we understand the significance of these?

During outward turmoil, His people may experience inward peace. When God says, "Fear not," our hearts can rest as we place our anxieties upon Him. Sometimes He creates calamity upon His children as a means of discipline. But the comforting thought is that God acts in a righteous manner toward His enemies. In the book of Psalms, we find David calling upon God to exercise His righteousness upon evil men. Maybe this gives us some clarity on what that means. God does not exercise evil upon those He has promised to protect and deliver.

Then we are told: "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."""

Salvation and righteousness are His chief purposes in view. Salvation refers to the initial act from without that will result in their deliverance. But righteousness is an inward matter and involves surrendering the will to God. It is righteousness produced from within by the Spirit of God that causes real and permanent change to happen and thus brings forth fruit from within that brings glory to God.

Avoid Questioning God's Authority (Verses 9 and 10)

  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, hath he no hands? Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?

Sometimes, we do not like the way that God does things. I recall a time in Jeremiah's life when he strove against God. It was a serious matter that called forth repentance on the part of Jeremiah before he could continue his ministry. The fact that "Woe" is pronounced is a reminder that somehow, we have crossed the line.

It is not only dangerous but foolish as well. It is compared to the clay telling the potter what to do or the child complaining to his parents over how he was born.

We might wonder why this warning was given. Some in Israel might have been complainers. After all, Israel has a history of that. But now, Israel is facing a time of deliverance, and trusting God for the outcome instead of complaining about things not turning out as we wish is necessary. This is not the time for complaining but a time for trusting.

God’s Authority over things Created (Verses 11 and 12)

 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. 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.

In our previous lesson, things were mentioned that did not need to be asked. But now, in this portion, God commands us to ask the question. In the previous study, we were questioning what God has the authority and right to do, but in the portion before us, God is telling us to ask for something that he wants to deliver to us. So, what kind of question can we ask and receive an answer?

First, he wants us to ask about what he has in store for those who love him. Those who love him do not ask skeptical questions. They receive his promises by faith and rest in them. With this, God is well pleased.

The next thing he calls us to ask is about his ability to do the things he promised.

To further confirm the reality of His promise, we merely need to consider the things that He has made. The wonders of his creation are the visible signs, but they also confirm the reality of His promises.

 God’s Plan for Cyrus (Verse 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.We opened the chapter with the prophecy concerning Cyrus, whom God was going to raise up as a deliverer for Israel. But now, before us, God presents another important perspective. There may be questions in the mind of Israel that God can use a heathen king to perform His will, but He does. He is there to perform a work that will bring God the glory. But God, the righteous God, claims that He is the one who gave him a purpose to do those things in accordance with God's will. In our limited way of understanding God, we may think that He could not do such a thing by raising a heathen king to do His will.

But there is a reason why God called Cyrus. God needed a strong human arm because of Israel's stubborn ways.

 As we have mentioned previously, it appears that 70 years later, Israel became quite settled in the land of Babylon, and God needed someone like Cyrus to issue a decree forcing them to leave. God, being our righteous God, is able to perform righteous deeds using unrighteous men.

What else do these verses tell us about Cyrus? The next thing God said was that He would direct Cyrus's ways. In a sense, Cyrus will have no will of his own concerning fulfilling God's command. God will be sovereign in Israel's deliverance, even though He chooses to use Cyrus.

The next thing He says is that he will build my city. When Cyrus gave his decree, he knew full well that when he released Israel, what the purpose was. He issued in his decree that they were to go to Jerusalem and begin building the temple. Cyrus was chosen to fulfill God's purposes. Cyrus could perform God's will without any distractions from Israel's enemies through God's authority.

The final thing God said is that he would do this without expecting a financial gain. He would not force Israelis to pay him for his services, which were directed by God and empowered by God.

Cyrus was fully under God's control and, in a sense, he had no will of his own. This speaks also of his submission to God, whom he himself had not acknowledged beforehand.

Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, who is inwardly transformed by God, we do not see that taking place in Cyrus's life. The righteousness he exemplified was outward, in obedience to God's command. God was also able to make Cyrus a willing captive for a time, revealing his will and purpose for the nation of Israel.

Israeli's Victory Established (Verses 14 through 16)

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. Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. They shall be ashamed and confounded, all of them: they shall go into confusion together as they are makers of idols.

The tables have been turned, and the enslavers have now become the enslaved. We see a similar promise given to the Church at Philadelphia, where those who were once the church's antagonists have become worshippers at the feet of these faithful servants of God.

Not only will they become enslaved, but they will confess that God is the true God and will forsake their idols.

To others who choose to remain in their idolatry, there will be confusion and shame.

Again, from the perspective of Israelites held in captivity, it would become another great wonder that God promised the church in Philadelphia as well.

 But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. 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. 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.

An Invitation to All (Verses 20 through 25)

 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. 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. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.  I have sworn by myself, the word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. 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. In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.