Another “mind-blowing” prophecy from God through Isaiah. God names the man who will conquer the kingdom that will conquer the kingdom in place now. Yes, that’s right…two kingdoms from now, by name. And it happened, just like God said. When Isaiah spoke this name, the man hadn’t been born yet.
That’s the crazy kind of stuff you find in Isaiah. He names “Cyrus” as the man who will defeat the Babylonians, 100 years in advance of it happening. At the time, the Assyrians are in charge, and the Babylonians serve them. Cyrus hasn’t even been heard of, and his people aren’t even on the radar. That’s why God says in this passage “I am going to tell you something that you cannot say you have heard before, or thought of yourself” (my paraphrase of Ch 45 and 48:4-8)
I confess to being confused as I read Isaiah in previous years. The terms “Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian” didn’t mean anything to me. But after refreshing my memory on ancient history I can now appreciate what Isaiah is saying. When he began his prophecy Judah was at a high point in culture and social standing. Commerce was plentiful and profitable, and by all metrics (except God’s) times were good. People were going to church in Isaiah’s day, they offered sacrifices, worship at the temple was in full swing….the people professed to know God and serve Him.
So Isaiah’s words cut like a knife. He says the sacrifices are worthless, because the people don’t back up their words with actions. And then, in this passage he speaks of the fall of Jerusalem at the hands of the Assyrians, then the fall of the Assyrians at the hands of the Babylonians, and then….the fall of the Babylonians at the hands of the Medes and Persians (Cyrus became their king). In Chapter 46 the gods of the Babylonians are being carried away on ox carts after the city has fallen. That would have been unthinkable at the time. Not only because no one envisions their gods coming up short, but because they weren’t even a power at the time! They hadn’t become famous yet, and God has already foretold of their downfall. All of that while speaking of events that haven’t taken place yet. Wow.
Severa thoughts rattle around in my head today: I wonder what good God has promised to do for us, or what harm was prophesied to befall us 100 years ago. We forget our past too quickly. Was the faith of our forefathers responsible for the blessing we now enjoy? Will a future generation be blessed because we were faithful to God 100 years before they were born? 100 years would my great-great grandchildren….whom I will not meet on earth. That’s incredible. As I think about the consequences of my actions into the distant future, the temptation to sin becomes weaker in me. I love that.
Did you know that Isaiah uses the name for God “Lord of hosts” or “Lord of Heaven’s Armies” 62 times in his book? He uses the phrase “Holy of of Israel” 25 times. In the entire Bible outside of Isaiah it’s found only 6 other times. That’s how rich Isaiah is.
I read today in 45:7 that God brings both good times and bad. He makes both light and darkness, and He uses people to accomplish His will that don’t even know Him. Cyrus is identified as a man who hasn’t heard of God, and yet He will do God’s bidding and return His people to Jerusalem. That’s exactly what happens in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king. King Cyrus of Persia.
I often give praise and credit to God for good times, light and blessing and guiding those who love and serve Him. But I don’t know if I have been aware much of God’s hand controlling all other events in human history as well. If this is to be taken at face value, God allowed ISIS to rise to power. Not only that, but He could have summoned them. And it isn’t hard to imagine that He would, if the people have been worshipping false gods.
More times than I can count Isaiah mentions “I am God and there is no other”. It seems clear to me that the key thing God is looking for from His people is recognition. He wants credit for what He has done, and He has done EVERYTHING. Creation, world powers, making ground fertile,drying up rivers, allowing people to have children….all of it comes from God.
“Lord you are worthy to be praised for all that you have done. The things you have done are good, even when we don’t understand them”.
I also note today in 46:3 that God “carried us before we were born”. God’s provision doesn’t begin with our birth, it begins some time before that. If God carries us prior to birth, it would seem to me that those who perish at or prior to being born would go to heaven to be with Him. God knows us before we are born. Just like He knew Cyrus, years before he was ever born.
Faithfully,
PR