Isaiah 45:1-7
The Lord alone directs rulers and reality.
1 Yahweh says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and strip kings of their armor; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut:
2 “I will go before you and make the rough places smooth. I will break the doors of bronze in pieces and cut apart the bars of iron.
3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, who call you by your name, even the God of Israel.
4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called you by your name. I have given you a title, though you have not known me.
5 I am Yahweh, and there is no one else. Besides me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known me,
6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is no one besides me. I am Yahweh, and there is no one else.
7 I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create calamity. I am Yahweh, who does all these things.
The LORD alone directs rulers and reality.
To declare the LORD’s anointing of Cyrus as his instrument and to affirm his absolute sovereignty over history and creation.
The prophecy anticipates the rise of Cyrus, who would conquer Babylon and enable Israel’s return from exile.
Cyrus the LORD’s Anointed and the God Who Saves to the Ends of the Earth
The LORD alone is God, Creator, King, and Savior, and He proves His sovereignty by appointing Cyrus for Israel’s restoration, shaming idols, saving Israel with everlasting salvation, and summoning all the ends of the earth to turn to Him and be saved.