Isaiah 45 GOD’S PROMISE TO DELIVER
History is really the story of God, although in that story, the God of all grace has included human beings in the unfolding of His purposes for eternity. We can only see a little dot of human history against the thousands of great volumes of divine plans. And yet, it is in this little speck of time, God chooses to call out a people for His name from all of the billions of humans that have existed and will yet exist. He chose an insignificant tribe of people from Abraham’s seed to be His earthly representatives down through the past centuries, and they still are going to fulfill what He has planned, although they have not been doing a very good job of it so far. There is one exception. Our Lord Jesus Christ was found in fashion as a man, and came from the tribe of Judah as the Messiah of Israel. They have rejected Him up until this time, but we know from prophecy that His plans will be fulfilled and the King of the Jews will be the recognized world ruler in the future.
There is another wonder in the plans of God. From all nations of the earth, there is being called out from all nations at this present time, a people for His name. The church of God is composed of Jews and Gentiles who individually have put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior. They have looked to Him and Him only for their salvation. Isaiah prophesied of this fact in this chapter. By His grace. He will save anyone who will look to Him in faith as their own personal Savior. In an act of grace, the Lord revealed through Isaiah one hundred and fifty years before it happened, that He had chosen a person yet to be born, identified him by name as Cyrus, and identified that he would be a Persian, one group of ancient people who believed in only one God. Most nations had a national idol, and some many idols. This man, Cyrus was chosen by God to be the deliverer of His people Israel from the bondage of Babylon, even before the captivity took place. He was God’s “anointed one” to fulfill the plans of God regarding His people at that time.
Most historical accounts are of little importance to people who live in the present. Few know much about the Hyksos, or the Sabeans. The Hittites and Jebusites are not even heard of by most people although they were famous people in the past. But one little group of people, the Hebrews (Jews), are the focal point of history when it comes to emphasizing the significance and purpose of mankind. The Jewish prophets thousands of years ago made predictions that have come to pass with one hundred percent accuracy. Out of all the chaos of human history that has failed to bring peace among the nations, and a consensus as to what human life is all about, there is still the on-going history of that God-chosen people that gives significance to our world today. Through them has come the Hope of all mankind, our Lord Jesus Christ.
God allows people to do things and make choices on their own volition, but He has given the direction to where righteousness and peace can be found. That is why the word of God is so important, and in this particular place, the prophecies that show us the course to follow in view of what is yet ahead. The sinful works of human beings have left a chaotic condition from which we are not able to break out of until we come personally to the Prince of Peace. Personal peace and a “quiet and peaceable life” are possible for those who know the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior.
God’s power is evident in all of human history even though many people will not admit that. Human limitation is also evident through history. God’s righteousness is demonstrated in history, and when a person or nation is willing to submit to, and live by God’s standards of life and conduct, there is peace. Cyrus is named as God’s servant to set His people free even though He didn’t know God nor God’s name, but God knew his – and named him. God stands in solitary majesty and glory above all intelligence and power in the universe. He created light and darkness. He controls the movement of earth so we have sunrise and sunset. He also “made peace through the blood of His cross” so that people who put their trust in Him can live in harmony and fellowship with the only true God, on a personal basis. God certainly does good, but he is also the Just One who will send “the wicked, and all nations that forget God,” to hell.
He offers salvation and imputes His righteousness to those who believe on Him, and allows bad to happen to those who reject Him and have to accept the consequences of the evil they commit. He is the Sovereign God, the only True God who knows and reveals secrets, so nothing is hid from Him. He did not create sin. However, He gave all intelligent created beings the option to choose to do right as a free moral person. He did not make humans meaningless creatures who can only respond to physical needs. To choose that which is good brings the results that bless us. To choose that which is bad, brings the consequences of punishment for sin.
God is the Maker of all things. Therefore, He can do as He wishes because He has “all power in heaven and in earth.” He can use a pagan leader like Cyrus to do His will if He so chooses, in order to get the desired result. We are His created creatures, and are in no position to tell God what to do, or whether what He has done is right or wrong. In His sovereign will He reveals Himself to people who want to sincerely know Him and who want to know and do the truth. To those, He offers salvation without any labor, and without any reservation. The simple act of a look of faith to Christ as the real living Savior is enough to know Him and believe on Him. Such persons are justified, cleared of all guilt and declared righteous by God Himself.
God’s salvation is offered on the easiest possible terms: “Look unto Me;” with the best possible results: “And be ye saved;” to the greatest possible number of people: “All the ends of the earth;” from the highest possible authority: “For I am God, and there is none else.” It is assured by divine guarantee. It is everlasting in its duration. It has been openly declared to all who seek the Lord. It has been offered to all mankind in all ages. It is guaranteed by the Lord.
Three times in this chapter God uses the phrase, “There is no other,” to emphasize His authority and His unique character. He has declared that the time will come when the nations will serve Israel. Anyone who seeks Him with all their heart will find Him. The power of divine truth will lead the nations to the south to see idolatry for what it is, and will compel them to acknowledge the God of Israel as the true God. History has vindicated that the truth the God of Israel has declared is right. Other philosophies and religious opinions come and go because they are limited to human ideas. They have no answers to the basic questions of life, of our existence, of the reasons for living, and no lasting goals for which we can seek to attain.
The only way the people of earth who have submitted to false gods, idols and man-made philosophies can find hope, is to “Look unto Me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is none else.” Every knee will bow to Him in faith and be brought down to the dust under His power. Those who have lived life based on a lie, will be damned. Those who have the spiritual seed of the word of God implanted in them, have eternal life. They experience a bit of what that means now, and the longer we live, we enjoy it more and find more of what that kind of life is. But presently we have only a little taste of what the reality of eternal life is. This much we know. We will live with God forever, and the kind of life He has for us, we will share with Him in perfect fellowship. We will never be deity, but the divine nature imparted to us will enable us to enjoy what God enjoys to whatever capacity He gives us.