“I have even called thee by name:…I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me.” Isaiah 45:4,5
Dear Ones:
Why is it that God has written down in His word, by the hand of over forty authors, His words, truths, and all that pertains to their understanding? It is basically for one purpose, “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.” (Is.45:6) Why is this “knowledge of the truth of God” so very important? It is because of God’s intent and purpose, not only to save lost mankind, but to introduce him into a communion with the Divine, that he might be a partaker of Life eternal, and truly know God. This is so very clearly seen when He writes: “…for he that comes to God, must believe that He IS, and that He is the Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Believing WHO and WHAT God IS, is essential to approach Him, which is His desire and will. In other words, the revelation of God, the unveiling of the truth of God, is for the purpose, not only that we should be certain that He exists, but that with this knowledge, the sinner can come to KNOW Him, by the forgiveness of his sins, and the receiving of Christ’s saving Life, by the Spirit.
In Isaiah 45, we come face to face with the Persian King, Cyrus. Though this king was not Jewish, he was greatly used of God to rebuild the temple and Jerusalem, after the period of Israel’s captivity. The Lord has written down for us by the hand of Isaiah, an account of His relationship with Cyrus, and how He dealt with him. What is His purpose in doing so? It is so that we might understand certain truths concerning how He WILL deal with us. It is in learning His ways, that we come to know Him, and commune with Him.
The first thing we notice is that Cyrus has been chosen by God for a certain task or mission. With that calling comes an “anointing,” a certain capacity and resources by the Holy Spirit to accomplish this work. The Lord “holds his right hand.” Why the right hand? It has to do with the authority of God given to Cyrus. As the Centurion mentioned in the gospels was under the authority of his superior, and thus exercised the authority of his superior, so Cyrus will exercise to some extent, the authority given to Him by God. We see this practically applied in that God will “subdue nations” before him, “loosing the loins of kings,” depriving them of their own authority by overcoming them with His own. The result of this exercise of authority will be the opening of gates to cities that would normally resist God, and Cyrus. An open gate is an opportunity to take control of that which was under the control of another. We see the great example of this when Joshua led the people of Israel into Canaan, to conquer and possess it. It is to Cyrus that this word of victory is declared with regard to these gates, with the complimenting assurance that “…the gates shall not be shut,” for Christ has the authority to keep them open, and the opportunity alive. (Revelation 3:8)
The second thing we notice is that God promises to, “…go before thee, and make the crooked places straight.” (45:2) The God of the Previous, will go before and prepare a way, one that is clear and straightforward, not confusing. Where there is the obedience of faith, then “gates of brass” will be broken in pieces, and “bars of iron” will be cut in sunder. God’s blessing upon the endeavor, revealed by His sufficient, and sometimes abundant provision, both materially and spiritually, will be evident. His great purpose remains: “…that you may KNOW that I, the Lord, which call you by your name, AM the God of Israel.” (v.3)
Dear Father, Thou art God, the God of the promise. As we are declared to be, “…more than conquerors through Him that loved us,” strengthen us to live it, knowing Thee. in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad