DAY 281- BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE EXILE
Reading: Isaiah 45: 1-6
Yesterday we learned that God had named Cyrus as the one who would return Israel to the land 150 years before Cyrus was born or Israel even lost the land. Why did God choose to use predictive prophecy in this case? A closer examination of our text for today will reveal why.
Thus says the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus - whose right hand I have held - to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut:
[45.2] I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron.
[45.3] I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, Reason 1. so that you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.
[45.4] Reason 2. For Jacob My servant's sake, and Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.
[45.5] I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me,
[45.6] Reason 3. that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other
God chose to work this way so that 3 lots of people would know that He is who He says He is – the absolute authority over all. He worked this way so that Cyrus, the greatest king of Earth, would know that there is a greater king; so that His people would know He is still with them and so that the whole world would know God and who He is.
Prayer
Lord, I worship You today. You are truly King of kings and Lord of lords.
FOR THE FAMILY
Watch this video
Then explain what the Bible says about Cyrus