This is a chapter that talks not only about Cyrus, the king who would free Israel from Babylonian captivity, it is also prophecy about Jesus. Cyrus was a foretelling of Jesus. We are His children, made in His image. Immediately this chapter lets us know that it isn’t only Israel being addressed and therefore there is more to the description of deliverance than Israel’s release from Babylon. Verse one calls attention to the coastlands and the people far off to listen. Verses 1-2 read,
“Listen to me, O coastlands,
and give attention, you peoples from afar.
The Lord called me from the womb,
from the body of my mother he named my name.
2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver he hid me away.”
God’s awesome power is often revealed in His words. He spoke the Universe into existence. Jesus is The Word of God, and Revelation 19:15 describes the sharp sword that comes from His mouth. When Jesus was tempted in the desert, He used scripture to overcome the enemy. When Jesus taught, He spoke truth, often quoting scripture, and always speaking with power. His words are powerful. We in turn have that same power. We have access to the same scripture, to all Jesus’ teaching as well as the scripture of the New Testament. We have the Spirit of God in us. We have the ability to hear Him and listen to Him and speak His truth to the world.
The power of God’s awesome Word made Jesus an arrow to those whom He convicted with the truth. That same power works in us. God’s words can go like an arrow straight to the heart of another. We are for God and by God. We are His weapons, equipped by Him to be used by Him. He holds us and protects us.
Verse 6 reads,
“he says:
“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to bring back the preserved of Israel;
I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Jesus is a light to the nations. His salvation is for everyone who wants it. And like Jesus is a light, He made you and I lights as well. In Matthew 5:14 Jesus calls you “The light of the world.” Your light is not meant to be hidden, it is meant to shine as a beacon and call people to the redemption of Jesus.
Jesus was despised when He was here. He still is. But that didn’t stop His love. He still loved people in very tangible ways. He ate with people that no one respectable would. He healed. He spoke truth. He loved even while people hated Him. He died for people who tortured Him and spit on Him. Do you imagine you should not be hated for being His servant? Are you going to waste your time being offended when people hate you and call you a hater?
Instead of squandering your time defending yourself, be like Jesus and love them through their hate. Keep pressing on. Know that the Lord God is with you and He is holding you and preserving you. He chose you, formed you, and equipped you. He won’t leave you alone to do the job. He will continue to provide your every need. Verses 8-10 read,
“Thus says the Lord:
“In a time of favor I have answered you;
in a day of salvation I have helped you;
I will keep you and give you
as a covenant to the people,
to establish the land,
to apportion the desolate heritages,
9 saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’
to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’
They shall feed along the ways;
on all bare heights shall be their pasture;
10 they shall not hunger or thirst,
neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them,
for he who has pity on them will lead them,
and by springs of water will guide them.”
Jesus, the Word of God, the Light of the world will beckon people to Salvation. He may use us, He may not. He is the one who does it. And they will come. Many people from every corner of the globe will come to the Kingdom of God.
He is the King of kings and though many people refuse to acknowledge His sovereignty, one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. (Romans 14:11, Isaiah 45:23). His Salvation not only brings us out of slavery but it makes us royalty. We who have nothing to offer are nurtured and given everything we need and more than we could ever imagine deserving. Verse 23- reads,
“Kings shall be your foster fathers,
and their queens your nursing mothers.
With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you,
and lick the dust of your feet.
Then you will know that I am the Lord;
those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.”
One day every soul will acknowledge that Jesus is The Redeemer ad Holy One of Israel (Verse 26).