Q6. Cyrus the Persian Deliverer

[RebeccaL]

On 8/2/2013 at 6:17 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q6. (Isaiah 45:1-4) How can Cyrus be called by name more than a century before he was born? In what sense is Cyrus “anointed” by God? How can an unbeliever accomplish God’s purposes? What does this tell us about God? About being humble in our judgments of others?

 

It is astonishing that Isaiah predicts unbelieving Cyrus’ existence, and much more that he enables the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple there! Of course, it isn’t Isaiah’s prediction, but God-breathed prophecy. Cyrus was anointed by God but being described in Isaiah 43, and told of as being used by God to help return the people of Isarael to God. God can use anything for His glory, even an unbeliever. This tells us that God is all-powerful and there is nothing, not even unbelief, who can prevent God from accomplishing whatever it is He wants to accomplish. Because God uses all kinds of people to accomplish His work, we mustn’t judge a book by its cover, so to speak. You never know when God is actually at work through someone, even if they seem to be doing or intending wrong or evil.

[Krissi]

This is God's sovereignty. He is over all, a fact I find intensely comforting. He uses secular people to accomplish His will just as He uses believers. In a sense, we are pawns in His hands -- we don't know when and how we are being used, or for what higher purpose.

Cyrus, like all secular leaders as well as leaders of other faiths, has been chosen by God to do his part in the rebuilding of Judah even though he "did not acknowledge (God)".