• Vv. 1-13 It is through king Cyrus that God, King of all creation, will show his sovereignty. It is through this vessel that God will be able to grow both righteousness and salvation. Isaiah provides a warning to those of creation who question the actions of this God over all. 

  • V. 1 In a sense, God is making the right hand of Cyrus’ his own, meaning none will be able to turn it away. Uses the term “anointed” in reference to Cyrus, used in reference to holy things or people. 

  • Vv. 5-6 God is using a people that do not even know him that the entire world may come to recognize the Lord as God. 

  • Vv. 9-10 These verses describe a creation without recognition of a creator, critiquing the very one granting the created thing meaning. 

• Vv.14-25 We are given a picture of a salvation that is being extended far beyond Israel. Rather, this message of salvation will be spread to all people. In order to be a part of this grand plan is to renounce all idols and worship the one true God. 

  • V. 14 Foreigners and enemies of the Lord will come in response to the mighty work done by the Lord and worship him. 

  • V. 19 This Gospel message was and is intended for all people to know and understand. This is not about attaining a secret knowledge, but rather coming to recognize the revelation of the Lord in our lives and the lives around us. 

  • V. 21 No counsel of wooden gods can speak of the future, not can you see them at work in the past. Only the God of Israel has been proven true throughout history. 

  • V. 25 Justification and glory are found only in a personal relationship with the Lord. It is not lineage nor good works, but rather recognizing him as the one and only. 

If God is using Cyrus, a king that is not of Israelite lineage and someone from outside the biblical narrative, what does it say of how God works in our world today?

The Lord is our creator and also the provider of purpose. In what ways in your own life do you see yourself, or other people, missing what the creator is doing, critiquing rather than accepting in faith?

Are we as a church, broadly speaking, still displaying the mighty work that God has done that was to bring many nations to worship him? When people see us are they amazed at what God is doing? If not, how can we capture what God is speaking about through Isaiah as seen in v. 14 for example?