Isaiah 45

Isaiah 45:1

Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall be not shut.

Thus saith the Lord, concerning Cyrus, who is yet unborn, whom I have ordained to be the king of Persia; whom I have decreed to prosper in all his designs, and to make him victorious over all nations, and to subdue mighty kings, so as they shall be glad to open unto him their most defenced cities.

Isaiah 45:3

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places.

I will give thee those treasures, which have been long laid up in the secret storehouses of kings.

Isaiah 45:5

I girded thee, though thou hast not known me.

I have girded thee with honour and power, though thou hast not considered whence these favours have come; neither hast thou, O Cyrus, so well known me, as to abdicate thine idolatry, and to worship me aright.

Isaiah 45:8

Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together: I the LORD have created it.

Let all my creatures, saith the Lord, conspire together to the furtherance of the restored happiness of my people: let the heavens, and the clouds, and the earth contribute all the blessings, which are committed unto them, to their enlargement and prosperity; and convey unto them the just performance of all the merciful promises, they have had from me.

Isaiah 45:9

Or thy work, He hath no hands?

Shall the work rise up and controul the workman, and say, He hath no skill?

Isaiah 45:13

I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways; he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.

I, who am the faithful Guardian of my Church, have raised up Cyrus; who, in future times, shall come, and prosper in his great enterprizes; and he shall build up the walls of Jerusalem; and shall send back the captive Jews into their country, not being hired thereto by any price or reward, but by my immediate instigation. See Ezra, chap. i.

Isaiah 45:14

Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, &c.

The Egyptians, and the Ethiopians, and Sabeans shall be tributary to Cyrus; and the benefit of their labour and merchandise shall by him be improved to the building of Jerusalem: so as the great enemies of God’s Church shall voluntarily submit themselves thereunto, and shall acknowledge that God’s presence is in her, and his power for her.

Isaiah 45:15

Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.

All this shall be done for thy people; but, in the mean time, they shall have need of patience: for thou wilt, for a long while,