Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. Whom does the Lord address in Isaiah 45:1 (printed below?) What promises does the Lord make to him? See Isaiah 45:2-3a (printed below)
This is what Jehovah says to his anointed one, to Cyrus, the one whose right hand I hold in order to subdue nations before him—indeed, I will strip kings of their armor—and open doors before him—indeed, the gates shall not be shut (Isaiah 45:1)
I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. (3) I will give you the treasures hidden in darkness and riches stored in secret places (Isaiah 45:2-3a)
In verse 1 the Lord addresses His servant, Cyrus, the Persian king. The Lord pledges to him His own all-powerful support and pledges to make him a victorious conqueror. In verses 2-3, speaking directly to Cyrus, the Lord declares, “I will go before you and will level the mountains;” the Lord will remove all obstacles that stand in the way of the Persian’s conquests. “I will give you the treasures hidden in darkness;” the Lord will grant Cyrus to take for himself the closely guarded treasures of the nations.
2. What is one reason why the Lord will do all this for Cyrus? See Isaiah 45:4 (printed below)
For my servant Jacob’s sake and for the sake of Israel my chosen one, I have summoned you by name; I have bestowed upon you a title of honor, even though you do not know me. (Isaiah 45:4)
The Lord announces to Cyrus that He, the Lord, has raised him up for the sake of His people, Israel. Although Cyrus was not consciously acting as the Lord’s servant at the time of his conquests, the Lord had in fact called him to be His servant in order to accomplish His divine purpose of bringing about the release of His people Israel from their Babylonian captivity.
3. What word of caution does the Lord speak in Isaiah 45:9-10 (printed below?) What imagery does He use in these verses and to whom does it refer?
Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker!—he who is nothing more than a potsherd among the potsherds scattered on the ground! Will the clay say to the potter, What are you making? or will the thing you are making say, He has no hands? (10) Woe to him who says to his father, What have you begotten? or who says to his mother, To what have you given birth? (Isaiah 45:9-10)
Verses 9-10 contain a word of caution, a word of warning, to those who would criticize God and forget with whom they are dealing. It appears that the children of Israel had become fearful and confused, they did not understand what God was doing and they did not like what was happening to them. In their hearts and with their voices they raised their objections and their criticisms. In these verses the Lord describes Himself as our Maker, our Potter and our Father. God’s people, and, indeed, all of mankind, are identified as “potsherds” and “clay” and children who are the offspring of God. These verses are intended to remind us of God’s sovereign rights over us and the fact that His ways are far beyond our ability to fully comprehend. Consequently, we are in no position to criticize Him for His dealings with us.
4. When Isaiah is permitted a look into the future and is given a glimpse of the final outcome of all things, what is his reaction? See Isaiah 45:15 (printed below) What does Isaiah see that causes him to make such an exclamation? See Isaiah 45:14 (printed below)
Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, our Savior. (Isaiah 45:15)
This is what Jehovah says, The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Ethiopia will be given to you, and the tall Sabeans will come over to you and will be yours—they will trudge behind you, coming over to you in chains. They will bow down before you and plead with you for mercy, confessing, Surely God is with you, and there is none other; there is no other God. (Isaiah 45:14)
When Isaiah is permitted a look into the future and is given a glimpse of the final outcome of things (verse 14), he exclaims, “Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, our Savior” (verse 15). That is to say, the Lord is a God who is mysterious, wonderful, and awesome. What did Isaiah see that caused him to make such an exclamation? He witnessed the fact that the Lord’s people shall inherit the wealth of the world: “This is what Jehovah says, The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Ethiopia will be given to you” (verse 14a). Furthermore, the Lord’s people shall share in the Lord’s dominion: “the tall Sabeans will come over to you and will be yours—they will trudge behind you, coming over to you in chains” (verse 14b). Finally, the Lord’s people shall witness the nations acknowledging that the Lord is God: “They will bow down before you and plead with you for mercy, confessing, Surely God is with you, and there is none other; there is no other God” (verse 14c).
5. Of what divine attribute does the Lord remind His people in Isaiah 45:19 (printed below?)
I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness. I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, Seek me in vain. I, Jehovah, speak the truth; I declare things that are right. (Isaiah 45:19)
The Lord declares, “I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness. I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, Seek me in vain” (verse 19a). A better rendering of verse 19a would be, “I did not say, Seek me in a desert.” That is to say, the Lord will not lead us into a desert or wilderness to die; on the contrary, the Lord’s desire is to lead us into a land flowing with milk and honey, although the road may pass through a wilderness. The Lord goes on to declare, “I, Jehovah, speak the truth; I declare things that are right” (verse 19b). The Lord is the God of integrity; He is faithful to fulfill His Word (note Numbers 23:19).
