“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…” Isaiah 45:1
We do not know exactly what led up to Joshua, the son of Nun, becoming a servant to Moses. However, that which we do discover, as he grew and ministered to Moses, was that he became primarily a worshipper of God, of Christ. How so? Being in such close proximity to Moses, he had first-hand knowledge of how Moses lived, and how God met him, revealing Himself to Moses. Such was the case when Moses would go up the tabernacle to worship God. The testimony of the relationship, and communion of Moses with God, can be summed up to some extent by what Moses wrote in Exodus 33:11, “…And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.” Joshua saw this, and certainly heard Moses pray many times, seeing the Lord to work with and through him. As this occurred, something changed in the heart of Joshua. He became firmly persuaded of something that was primary, if not the greatest essential element contributing to faith, and service to God. It was the personal, individual pursuit of God in prayer and worship. This is borne out in Moses’ words, “…And he (Moses) turned again into the camp; but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.” (Ex. 33:11) Joshua had become persuaded that if he was to know God, then he must come God’s way, as seen in His dealings with Moses. Moses was the man of God’s own choosing to deliver Israel from Egypt. But he would never have become such, and finished successfully his race, without becoming a worshipper of God. It was there, in the quiet place, alone with God, that God revealed Himself to his heart. Joshua would follow in his steps, becoming first and foremost a worshipper of God. This choice, and attitude of mind, and practical exercise, would be the greatest preparation for his successful service to God. For there he would learn of the holy character of God, and His ways, which He would not change for any man or creature, and yet, by the true knowledge of God and His ways, Joshua would come to believe God, learning by experience that He would do exactly as He had promised. He learned also that the God who sees all things visible and invisible, alone has the wisdom and power to deal with spiritual enemies and provide for His people all that they need to glorify Him.
It is very interesting that Cyrus, King of Persian, designated by God as His shepherd, even His anointed, would also be the one who would make a proclamation that the Lord’s house in Jerusalem, the temple, would be rebuilt. But how is it that this Persian king, who in a very real sense, conquered the then known world, respond and be the accomplishment of a prophecy written at least one hundred and fifty years before by the words of Isaiah? It would be because he was God-fearing, though how much of his knowledge of the Creator we do not know. It is very possible that Daniel the prophet, along with others who had access to Isaiah’s writings, would show to Cyrus the prophecies concerning the will of God. In any event, it is certain that God had his hand upon Cyrus, declaring in the writings of Isaiah what God would do, so that Cyrus would KNOW that He was God. How did God accomplish this?
God intervened, stirring up the spirit of Cyrus, moving him to seek, and worship Him. The result was the revelation by God of His truth concerning Cyrus, proclaimed in his own words: “All the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord God of heaven given unto me; and He hath charged me to build Him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.” (2 Chr. 36:22,23)
Dear Father, Make us true worshippers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.