The Coming Servant Part 2: Isaiah 44, 45 (5)

Pray Psalm 138.7, 8.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Read Isaiah 45.8-13.

Reflect.
1. What “day” is suggested in verse 8? About whom is God speaking in verse 13?

2. God seems to be justifying Himself in verses 9-12. Why? 

Meditate.

We are struck in these verses by the lack of any mention of Cyrus’ name. Having referred to him as the Lord’s anointed (messiah) in verse 1, God now proceeds to insist on His right to do what He pleases, and to explain the work of His anointed one. The avoidance of Cyrus’ name is deliberate, because God intends here to point to him, but also beyond him.

The term anointed was reserved in Isaiah’s day for the kings of Israel. To refer to Cyrus by that name might have created a stir, even an offense among some of Isaiah’s hearers. God warns them not to become cavalier (vv. 9, 10). He can do what He wants. And He wants Cyrus to build His city and return the exiles to it (v. 13). But He also intends that Cyrus should be a type of the Messiah yet to come, Who will fulfill all righteousness and do all the Lord’s will (v. 13).

Verse 8 and verse 13 are pointing to the time Isaiah has previously referred to as “that day” or “the latter days.” When Messiah comes to build God’s City and gather His exiles, then all creation will rejoice and abound. Righteousness will descend from the skies in the Person of Him Who fulfills all righteousness, and the earth will bring forth the salvation of God in the Son of Man Who accomplishes all God’s will. God has ordained it; God will fulfill it. They are presumptuous and unbelieving who question the wisdom of God or doubt the veracity of His Word.

God is Lord and we are not. The sooner we learn that, and the more consistently we keep it in mind, the more of God’s promised restoration we will realize.

Prepare.
1. In what ways is Cyrus a type of Christ? How does his work help us to understand the work of Jesus?

2. Do you ever find yourself striving with God? Explain. 

3. God can do whatever He wants, and whatever He does will be right and good. Does this mean that whatever God does will always make sense to us? Explain.

There is no doubt that human wills cannot resist the will of God, “who has done whatsoever he pleased in heaven and on earth,” and who has even “formed the things that are to come.” Nor can the human will prevent [God] from doing what he wills, seeing that even with human wills, he does what he wills, when he wills to do it. Augustine (354-430 AD), Admonition and Grace 14.45

Teach me Your will, O God, and help me to accept and submit to it, so that I…

Pray Psalm 138.
Pray that Jesus will build His Church all over the world, and that kings and peoples everywhere will worship and glorify Him.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 138 (Regent Square: Angels from the Realms of Glory)
I will give You thanks and praise You, God of gods, with all my heart. 
I will bow before Your temple, grateful praise to You impart. 
For Your Name and for Your glory, You have magnified Your Word! 

On the day I called You answered, made me bold within my soul; 
When I walk in troubled places, You revive and make me whole. 
For Your hand will gently shield me, and my fearsome foes control. 

All the kings of earth will praise You when Your words of truth they hear; 
Of Your ways, of Your great glory, gladly they will loudly cheer. 
For the proud shall not approach You, yet You hold the lowly dear. 

Your Right Hand will save and keep me; all I need You will supply. 
For Your love is everlasting, reaching from beyond the sky. 
You will not forsake or leave me; You will save me when I cry.

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.

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