There is None Else Is. 45:1-25 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

This chapter is written to Israel and to all nations that they may know that God is “the LORD, and there is none else.”  He demonstrates his uniqueness in a variety of ways in this chapter.  He is the ONE who:

Raises up Kings – Is 45:1-5 – He raised up Cyrus and even called him by name nearly 200 years before his reign.  He used him to subdue nations [v.1], he gave him a supernatural advantage over other nations [v.2] and he gave him the treasures of darkness and the hidden riches of secret places [v.3; Jer 50:35-37; 51:11-13 in the defeat of Babylon (Hitler had vast riches hidden in Berchtesgaden)].  He did this for Israel’s sake [v.4, 13, Ezra 1] and for the sake of all nations [v.6] that they might know “I am the LORD, and there is none else.”  Notice: Cyrus didn’t know the Lord at first [v.4, 5 – like Pharaoh in Ex 5:2] but he came to know him [Ezra 1:2-3].

Forms light, creates darkness, makes peace and creates evil – Is 45:7 – light [Gen 1:3; 1 Jn 1:5]; darkness [not the absence of light Job 38:19; Is 60:2; Ex 10:21-23; Joel 2:2; Rev 16:10] – peace [Is 9:6-7; Rom 5:1]; evil [Prov 16:4; Jer 25:9; Is 36:10; Rom 9:17] this is why you are not to revile the ruler of thy people; the Lord may have put him there.

Regenerates and restores everything – Is 45:8-12 – he created it all [v.12, 18] – and he will regenerate it in righteousness and salvation [v.8; Rom 8:18-23] – therefore, woe unto him that striveth with his Maker [v.9-10] – trust him and let him do with you what he knows best.

Performs his work with Israel – Is 45:11, 13-14, 17, 25 – He rebuilds Jerusalem [v.13] under Cyrus and under Jesus in the millennium – he frees the captives [v.13] under Cyrus and under Jesus – he exalts Israel [v.14] under Jesus because God is in them [Ezek 48:35; Zech 8:20-23] – he saves Israel [v.17] under Jesus [Rom 11:25-26] – he justifies and glorifies Israel [v.25; Rom 8:29-30].

Declares his work beforehand – Is 45:18-21 – hence when it comes to pass everyone will know that it was he.  Right now “they” question the authorship and authenticity of the prophecies [i.e. they say that the ‘prophecies’ were written after the fulfillment].  But when he fulfills 500 more prophecies at the Second Advent there will be no more doubt!!

Conclusion: in addition to all of these, he hides [Is 45:15-16] unlike idols, so that we’ll seek him and be saved [Is 45:22-24; Acts 17:27-28].