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The Scriptorium

Cyrus, Anointed One

Cyrus will be God's anointed shepherd.

The Coming Servant Part 2: Isaiah 44, 45 (4)

Pray Psalm 33.1-5.
Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
Praise the LORD with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
For the word of the LORD is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

Read Isaiah 45.1-7.

Reflect.
1. Why does God call Cyrus His anointed? For what was he anointed? 

2. How is the sovereignty of God expressed in these verses? 

Meditate.
Cyrus – who has not yet been born – will not know the Lord when He calls him (vv. 4, 5). No matter. God has anointed him, raised and appointed him for a particular purpose, and in fulfilling that purpose, Cyrus will come to know Him and His great power (v. 3), after he has seen God’s great work through him.

The word anointed is the same word used for Messiah. In some ways, Cyrus would be a messiah for God’s people; in even larger ways, he portends the Messiah to come, the true Shepherd of Israel, Whom – like Cyrus – Isaiah is identifying in various ways in this section, long years before the Messiah comes. 

God promises to grease the skids for Cyrus, so that he can accomplish God’s purpose with a minimum of resistance (vv. 2, 3). Cyrus’ work of returning the Jews to their homeland will make the Name of the Lord famous throughout the earth (v. 6). When God accomplishes a great salvation, His people benefit greatly (v. 4) and He is greatly glorified. This sets the stage for more people to flow to the mountain of the Lord’s house, precisely as God had promised (Is. 2).

God Who is sovereign over day and night, Who brings peace and calamity to nations (v. 7), is certainly able to deliver His people according to His promise. And naming Cyrus well in advance of the event lends increasing credibility to His Word and promise.

Prepare.
1. Can you think of some ways that you see the sovereign hand of God at work in nations today?

2. God’s sovereignty is ultimately directed to two simultaneous ends. Can you explain each of them?  

3. Meditate on Romans 13.1-4. Is this true of all governments? How should this passage, and the sovereignty of God, guide us in praying for our own rulers?

By all that is about to be said, he has taught that he has invested Cyrus as king, he has given him the necessary sovereignty to direct his empire with good will and so that the disposition of difficult matters is mitigated and facilitated. Theodoret of Cyr (393-466 AD), Commentary on Isaiah 14.45.2

Lord, straighten my path today, and provide all I need so that I…

Pray Psalm 33.

Celebrate the sovereignty of God as you see it in this psalm, by asking the Lord to exercise His rule for the blessing of His people and His own glory in all the nations of the earth.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 33 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns)
Sing with rejoicing in the Lord, for praise becomes His righteous ones!
With harps and songs raise grateful words, and let new songs of praise be sung!

Joyfully shout! His Word is true; He does His work in faithfulness.
His love prevails the whole world through; the Lord loves truth and righteousness.

God spoke and heaven came to be, and all its hosts His Spirit wrought.
He heaps the waters of the sea; the deeps their dwelling place are taught.

Let all below now fear the Lord; let all in awe of Him abide!
The worlds exist by Jesus’ Word; let all on earth in Him confide.

He nullifies the nations’ plans; forever stands His sov’reign Word.
All they are blessed who with Him stand – the chosen people of the Lord.

God from His throne looks down on men; He knows our works and made our hearts.
Let not Your Church, let none depend on strength or skill or human arts.

God watches those who fear His Name, who hope upon His grace and love; 
He keeps their souls from death and shame who trust in Him Who reigns above.

God is our Helper and our Shield; upon us let Your grace descend!
We hope in You; to You we yield; we trust in Jesus to the end.

T. M. Moore

Where do the prophets fit with the rest of Scripture? How can I be a better student of God’s Word? Our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, can help you gain a better approach to and understanding of the Scriptures. Watch this brief preview video, then register at The Ailbe Seminary and enroll in this free online course.

Forward today’s lesson to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on Isaiah. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link for the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Isaiah’s important message.


If you value Scriptorium as a free resource for your walk with the Lord, please consider supporting our work with your gifts and offerings. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button  at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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