Rsbc
March 10, 2002
Sunday Night
Subject: “God’s Promises To Cyrus”
Text: Isaiah 45:1-7
Intro: If you remember last week we talked to you about how GOD uses men, even men that didn’t know him. Cyrus was not yet born, it would be some 210 yrs later before this would come to pass.
In our scripture tonight we see how GOD makes certain promises to this man through prophecy that he would surely bring to pass. The truth of matter, that is the knowledge of GOD is know unto him at all times. That is it is present, it is never future with GOD, it never passed with GOD it is always present with him.
Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
I... “ GOD’S HELP...VS 1 “Right hand held by GOD”
What ever the Lord has chosen us to do in this life he will always be there to help us...
Asa cried unto GOD:
2 Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, [it is] nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou [art] our God; let not man prevail against thee.
Hezekiah ...
2 Chronicles 32:8 With him [is] an arm of flesh; but with us [is] the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
II... GOD’S OVERRULING POWER: VS 1 “Subdue nations”
We have no earthly idea when GOD is overruling on our behalf but he does.
Page # 2
The ancient Job said:
Job 12:21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
Whatever it took for GOD to break down someone or something to arrive at his purpose that what he did. He did on behalf of Cyrus King of Persian Empire to free his people from bondage.
III... “ GOD’S DIRECTION FOR CYRUS”...VS 2 “I WILL GO BEFORE THEE”
What a promise to make, and yet that is exactly what the LORD promises his people today. I will be with you.
The Spirit of the Lord came upon Azariah and here is what he said to Asa ...
2 Chronicles 15:2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD [is] with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
The song writer said it like this:
Some through the water, some through the flood, some through the fire but all through blood, some through great sorrow but GOD gives a song in the night seasons and all the day long...
IV...GOD’S GIFTS TO CYRUS: VS 3
1. The promise of wealth: “treasure of darkness riches of secret places”
Deuteronomy 8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for [it is] he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as [it is] this day.
We must never forget that GOD gives men and nations what he wants them to have in order that they may serve the purpose of GOD. So what ever you have gues where it came from. Whatever you don’t have remember it is the choice of GOD.
Page # 3
The Lord had two purposes in mind:
1st. So that Cyrus may know him...vs 3
200 plus years later Cyrus did just that He acknowledges the Lord...Ezra 1:2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Ezra 1:3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
The question is debatable wether this is a head knowledge of the Lord or wether this man came to know GOD in his heart. I don’t know but GOD does.
2nd. It was the for the sake of Jacob and Israel...vs 4
You must remember that GOD did all that he did for the King and for Israel to protect the seed of the woman which was the Lord Jesus Christ...
V... “ GOD’S CONFIRMATION OF HIMSELF”..VS 5-7
1st. I am the Lord: this speaks of his self-existence...vs 5
2nd. None beside me.. “Speaks of his solitariness” ..vs 5-6
Three times in this chapter the LORD makes this confirmation that he is the only GOD and there is none beside him.
3rd. I the LORD do all these things: speaks of his great and almighty power...vs 7
Psalm 62:11 God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power [belongeth] unto God.