Journal Through the Bible: Week 64 Tuesday

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This is a prophecy about King Cyrus sending Jews back to Jerusalem to rebuild it. At the time of this prophecy the people had yet to go into captivity and Cyrus had not even been born. They were in Babylonian captivity for 70 years and then the Babylonians were themselves conquered. Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, all men who reigned many years before the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.

Isaiah chapter 45

Does God issue any commands?

• God issues commands to Cyrus to subdue nations. 
• God commands men from all over the earth, the idolaters, to come to Him.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised to go before Cyrus to make the crooked places straight, to break the gates of brass, cut the bars of iron, and to give him treasures and riches so that he would know that the LORD, the God of Israel, called him to the task of rebuilding Jerusalem.
• Problems will come to those who fight with their Maker.
• Captives from Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Sabeans would come over Israel asking about Israel's God.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the LORD, the God of Israel.
• Jesus is the creator of light, men, earth, and heaven.
• Jesus is the Holy One.
• Jesus is the Savior.
• Every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear to Jesus.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• God said Israel would be saved forever, world without end.
• In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. (v. 25) See Galatians 3:7-9, 28-29