Isaiah occupies the most prominent role in the gospels because it talks about the birth of the Messiah and his mission. Nowadays, most scholars agree thatIsaiah authored the first 39 chapters. The rest were written by his disciple or disciples. So, there was a Second Isaiah and some scholars even propose a Third Isaiah. Therefore, when we read of the name Cyrus, the Persian king who set the Jews free from Babylonian Captivity, it might not be a prophecy of the future, but a telling of history by the disciples of Isaiah. Prophetic books are really difficult to read.
According to Isaiah, Cyrus was the Anointed One, the Messiah.
Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1a)
Therefore, the title Messiah, has not been exclusively reserved for Jesus. The Persian king also shares this title.
Historically, Cyrus was literally the liberator of the Jews. No wonder the book of Isaiah calls this liberator, this Persian king, the Messiah. Lest people misunderstood THEIR liberator, God made it clear that
It was He who called Cyrus into service and fought battles for him (Isaiah 45:2-3). No matter how outstanding Cyrus seems to be, God actually did all the jobs through him. Cyrus was only an instrument of God who alone made heaven and earth and everything on it.
I made the earth, and created man upon it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host (Isaiah 45:12).
However, God is not easily discernable. Throughout the ages, very few people have been granted the privilege to enjoy a mystic union with Him. For the rest of us, the ordinary folks, we can share the sentiment of the following verse.
Truly, thou art a God who hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior (Isaiah 45:15).
We are not playing a hide-and-seek game with God in which God hides and we seek. No! In reality, both sides are seeking each other. For many times, we are impatient. We seek immediate gratification. Idolatry becomes an ineffective substitute. Therefore, the criticism of the Marxists is correct to a certain extent. Man did make some gods to numb himself. But such action was ineffective.
They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save (Isaiah 45:20b).
God will not give us up. He seeks us and guides our hands home.
Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other (Isaiah 45:22).
To answer the Marxists, it is true that we make gods, but not God. If God is not willing to reveal Himself to us, we cannot fathom His mystery, His existence and His being. We cannot make a God like the God of Abraham and the God of Jacob.
Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed, all who were incensed against him.
In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall triumph and glory (Isaiah 45:24-25)
This God is a God of compassion and morality. He demands us to keep the laws and to behave ethically.
Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1a)
Therefore, the title Messiah, has not been exclusively reserved for Jesus. The Persian king also shares this title.
Historically, Cyrus was literally the liberator of the Jews. No wonder the book of Isaiah calls this liberator, this Persian king, the Messiah. Lest people misunderstood THEIR liberator, God made it clear that
It was He who called Cyrus into service and fought battles for him (Isaiah 45:2-3). No matter how outstanding Cyrus seems to be, God actually did all the jobs through him. Cyrus was only an instrument of God who alone made heaven and earth and everything on it.
I made the earth, and created man upon it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host (Isaiah 45:12).
However, God is not easily discernable. Throughout the ages, very few people have been granted the privilege to enjoy a mystic union with Him. For the rest of us, the ordinary folks, we can share the sentiment of the following verse.
Truly, thou art a God who hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Savior (Isaiah 45:15).
We are not playing a hide-and-seek game with God in which God hides and we seek. No! In reality, both sides are seeking each other. For many times, we are impatient. We seek immediate gratification. Idolatry becomes an ineffective substitute. Therefore, the criticism of the Marxists is correct to a certain extent. Man did make some gods to numb himself. But such action was ineffective.
They have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save (Isaiah 45:20b).
God will not give us up. He seeks us and guides our hands home.
Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other (Isaiah 45:22).
To answer the Marxists, it is true that we make gods, but not God. If God is not willing to reveal Himself to us, we cannot fathom His mystery, His existence and His being. We cannot make a God like the God of Abraham and the God of Jacob.
Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed, all who were incensed against him.
In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall triumph and glory (Isaiah 45:24-25)
This God is a God of compassion and morality. He demands us to keep the laws and to behave ethically.
Dear Lord, May Your name be glorified and may we benefit from serving You. Amen.
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