“For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me.”Isaiah 45:4 ESV
Reflection: who fulfills the purpose of the Lord?
In the end of Isaiah chapter 44, we are introduced to an interesting historical figure, “God’s shepherd”, as the Lord Himself calls this man, who will fulfill God’s purpose, including the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and even reestablish the temple. Let’s read “who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”” Isaiah 44:28 ESV. The Lord continues to talk about this man Cyrus in chapter 45, even calling him God’s “anointed”. Let’s read a bit more about him “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:5-6 ESV. Cyrus will even cause people to know the Lord. So who in the world is this anointed one that the Lord has chosen?
We may naturally think here that God chose someone from within His own people, like a king David or a king Hezekiah. Especially as this man was to rebuild Jerusalem and reestablish the temple after the exile of God’s people in Babylon. But God chose a man, a king, who didn’t even “know” Him. He was not even part of God’s people. Cyrus the great was the king of Persia around 550 BC, modern day Iran and beyond. The king of Persia to free God’s people in exile? To rebuild Jerusalem? To reestablish the temple? We read a detailed account of this in the book of Ezra, as well as in Nehemiah. Let’s read just a bit,
“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.”” Ezra 1:1-4 ESV
What is so amazing to think about here, is that God chose this man Cyrus, this king, to do his will, to fulfill God’s purpose. While he didn’t “know” the Lord in the beginning, he did what the Lord “whispered” to him. He was obedient, freed and blessed God’s people, told them to return to their land. And, notice that Cyrus also gave them back all the temple riches that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from them. And, in addition to all this, notice the result of Cyrus obedience to God, who proclaims
“I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.” Isaiah 45:5-7 ESV. Did you notice the result?
“that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me;”
Amazing. Because of Cyrus, people across the world, from the east to the west, “may know” God! Talk about impact this king had on the world! And, the Lord greatly blessed this king for his obedience, “I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.” Isaiah 45:3 ESV. So, as we think about our current time and world, is there a message here for us? Probably several, but here are a few to consider.
To begin with, we see clearly that the Lord is in control of the “big picture”. And, He will choose, anoint and equip those He will, who He knows will fulfill His purpose, as an instrument for God. And, such a person might come from an unlikely place, as was the case of king Cyrus. Sadly, we see that it is not always God’s people who fulfills His purpose, so we need to all do some self reflection here. Are we willing to be an instrument used by the Lord? We are quick to judge people based on many things, but God sees to the heart. To those who are willing to do His work, to fulfill His purpose.
