Introduction: If we think that we understand God completely we are fools! We may know Him on a personal basis not that we see Him, but He can certainly make His way plain to us by a variety of methods. Through His Son who lived on earth – we have His example and His teaching; through prophets and poets and historians – primarily centred in the Bible; By conscience, dreams, advice of His servants etc. Do you think that He could ’empower’ a pagan king? Read on…..
1 Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus,
whose right hand I have grasped,
to subdue nations before him
and to loose the belts of kings,
to open doors before him
that gates may not be closed:
2 “I will go before you
and level the exalted places,
I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
and cut through the bars of iron,
3 I will give you the treasures of darkness
and the hoards in secret places,
that you may know that it is I, the LORD,
the God of Israel, who call you by your name.
4 For the sake of my servant Jacob,
and Israel my chosen,
I call you by your name,
I name you, though you do not know me.
5 I am the LORD, and there is no other,
besides me there is no God;
I equip you, though you do not know me,
6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, that there is none besides me;
I am the LORD, and there is no other.
7 I form light and create darkness;
I make well-being and create calamity;
I am the LORD, who does all these things.
Comment: This passage is a very great blessing to me personally. I look at what is happening in the world and am tempted to say, ‘Where O God are you?’ And this reminds me that although what is happening distresses me God has not lost control! Was Cyrus held responsible for some of the things he did when God was holding his hand? God says ‘whose right hand I have grasped.’ It says that God was involved in, even supervising the actions of Cyrus. “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron,
I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places.”
I find it interesting that God makes the point of pointing out to Cyrus that He knew Cyrus even though Cyrus didn’t know Jehovah God. He then reminds Cyrus as to Who He is! People in those days weren’t ignorant. Cyrus would have known about Jehovah, whom he would have known that the Jews worshipped. Knowing about isn’t the same as knowing someone!
So who, Cyrus or God, was responsible for the invasion, subjugation and the rapes, butchery and unnecessary barbary which the army under Cyrus’ authority performed?
Christians for many years and some even today claim that Jews are ‘Christ killers’. But who is responsible for Jesus’ suffering and death on the Cross? – The Jews for their jealousy, hatred and death plans? Pilate for his chosen cowardice and self preservation by handing Jesus over to death in spite of his declaration ‘I find no fault in Him’? Or the Sovereign who rules the world?
1 Peter 1: 18-21… knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers…..with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world (Jesus life and death were in God’s plan before Creation!) but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Prayer: I do not understand but I thank You that You are Sovereign and in control Father, All-knowing, God.