The Coming Servant Part 2: Isaiah 44, 45 (6)

Pray Psalm 116.1, 2.
I love the LORD, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

Read Isaiah 45.14-25.

Reflect.
1. This passage seems to be looking beyond Cyrus and his service to God. How can you tell that? 

2. How would you describe the salvation God promises here?

Meditate.
While this passage seems to begin with God talking to Cyrus, His anointed (v. 14), it quickly goes beyond that day to a greater day of salvation. In that day all who worship vain idols will be brought to shame, as the people of God receive His great salvation in their sight (v. 15). The salvation of God, and everything that goes with it, is so great and glorious that it puts to shame every false religion and worldview.

Again, God declares that He is not speaking vain things (vv. 18, 19). He declares the truth, and because He has power to create out of nothing, He can bring to pass everything He has declared, though it seems impossible to those who hear Him.

God calls His people to a great assembly before Him, to hear Him denounce the folly of idols and declare Himself the only and sovereign Savior of the world (vv. 20, 21; cf. Heb. 12.22-24). The Word of salvation goes out to the whole world: “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!” (v. 22) The Word of God brings with it the righteousness we need to draw near to Him (v. 23), and it calls us to submit to Him in worship and obedience. The salvation God brings to His people includes righteousness and strength, justification and glory (vv. 24, 25), and a life of confidence without shame in the presence of the Lord (v. 24).

This is the gift God is bringing to His people “in that day.” Cyrus, and the work he will do in bringing the people of Israel back to Jerusalem, is a powerful token and sign that, as God raised him up according to His Word, so He will fulfill all His promise of salvation in a day not long hence.

But that still leaves us with the question, “How?” How will God bring us to righteousness? How will He take away our shame? How will He justify and bring us to His glory? How will He renew the earth itself, and draw all the nations into His assembly? Isaiah is moving in the direction of an answer for all these questions.

Prepare.
1. How would you explain to an unbelieving friend what you have received in the gift of salvation?

2. How does tise salvation put to shame every false religion and worldview? What is our role in that?

3. How does the Word of God bring the righteousness we need to be saved?

The coming of our Savior Jesus Christ fulfilled the goal of this prophecy, after which, in his church, all people, who have been brought together from throughout the world, have been taught to bend their knee to God in prayer. Eusebius of Caesarea (260-340 AD), Commentary on Isaiah 2.29

Help me to grow in my salvation today, O Lord, as I bow my knees to You, receive Your righteous Word, and…

Pray Psalm 116.
Why should you love the Lord? Let this psalm lead you to express your love for Him, your gratitude for His mercy, and your determination to live for His glory.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 116 (Mit Freuden Zart: All Praise to God Who Reigns Above)
I love the Lord because He hears my cries and pleas for mercy.
Because He bends to me His ears, my prayers shall ever thus be.
The snares of death encompassed me; hell’s grip could not unloosened be;
Distress and anguish pressed me.

I called to God, “O Lord, I pray, my soul redeem with favor!”
The Lord is gracious in His way, and righteous is our Savior.
His mercy to the simple flies; He lifted me up to the skies –
I rest in Him forever!

Full well the Lord has dealt with me; my soul from death He delivered.
My weeping eyes, my stumbling feet, He has redeemed forever.
Forever I before His face shall walk with those who know His grace,
And dwell with them forever.

Afflicted, I believe His Word, though lying men would undo me.
What shall I render to the Lord for all His blessings to me?
Salvation’s cup I lift above and call upon the God of love
And pay my vows most truly.

How sweet to Him when saints depart – save me, Your servant, Savior!
From sin You loosed my wand’ring heart; I praise Your Name forever!
On You I call, my vows to pay; here in Your presence I would stay
Your praise to offer ever.

T. M. Moore

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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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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).