Proper 24: Old Testament, Isaiah 45:1-7                                

Isaiah 45:1-7

“Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped …” Isaiah 45:1a). In a section of the Old Testament which displays the true God and His nature as the only true and living God, He speaks to one of His servants. In fact, God refers to this servant by name. He calls him “his anointed,” so one might expect to hear a name from the ranks of Israel. But in this case that would be a mistake. His anointed, His “christ” in this instance is the king of Persia. But not the ruler of those lands when this was uttered. But God calls by personal name one who will not even rule for another two centuries. How can that be? Scholars have tussled and wrangled over this issue for years. Those who don’t believe in the supernatural character of the Bible dismiss this as a later addition to the text or they say it must refer to someone the author knew of at the time. Sorry, but none of those explanations fit as well as a simple reading and applying the text to real space-time history. This is King Cyrus of Persia. Hand picked by the Lord of history, not because of his faith or lack thereof. The Lord of history knows how to run “the show.” He will use whomever He will whenever there is a need. King Cyrus was used for purposes of great chastisement and difficulty. But God, the LORD knew just who to choose for the task then and He knows now.

God has chosen you to be His own. His choices are always on point. He never, ever misses the mark. Remember that today as you are His chosen to bear His name in your world. God be praised!