God’s Message to Cyrus King of Persia
God said of Cyrus: “He is my shepherd and shall perform all my pleasure.” Isaiah 44:28.
God sends a message to King Cyrus of Persia by the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 45:1-8.
The Message sent near the end of the 70 year captivity of Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel.
The Babylonian Captivity began 598 B.C. and ended 538 B.C. after the Persian King Cyrus conquered Babylon.
God’s statements in the message sent to Cyrus. Isaiah 45:1-8.
God declares Cyrus “his anointed whose right hand I have holden….” Vs 1.
“ I will go before thee…that thou Mayest know that I, which called thee by name, am the God of lsrael, though thou hast not known me.” Vs 3-4.
“There is no God beside me…I girded thee, though thou hast not known me” vs. 5.
“I form the light and create darkness…let the righteous spring up together; I the Lord have created it.” Vs. 7-8.
God’s plan for Israel. Isaiah 45:13-17.
“I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness: I will make all his way straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward, says the Lord Almighty.” vs. 13.
Israel’s former enemies will bow down to them: Egyptians, Ethiopians and Sabeans. vs. 14.
They shall be ashamed and confounded that are makers of idols. vs.16.
“Israel shall be saved in the Lord, with an everlasting salvation…” vs.17.
Israel’s restoration from the Babylonian captivity. Ezra Chapter 1.
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia…the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus…and charged him to build Him a house in Jerusalem. vs. 1.
King Cyrus’s response: “The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem…” vs. 2.
King Cyrus sends the captives to Jerusalem to build the house of the Lord of Israel. vs. 3-5.
Cyrus brings forth the vessels of the house of the Lord that Nebuchdnezzer had taken from the house of the Lord in Jerusalem when Judah was taken into captivity. vs. 7-11.
Rebuilding the Lord’s house in Jerusalem. Ezra 3:10-11.
The builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord.
The Priests and the Levites sang together praising and giving thanks the Lord because “He is good, for His mercy endureth for ever toward Israel…”
God using King Cyrus to restore Israel’s captivity to the land which God promised to Abraham was necessary to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ who would fulfill God’s promise to Abraham that in his seed all families of the earth would be blessed. Genesis 12:1-3.
Below is the message audio.
Below is the link to the typed notes pdf