724_All earth will see the Lord’s salvation (Isaiah 45-46)
Isaiah 45:22-25 “Turn to me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.
23 By myself I have sworn;
from my mouth has gone out in righteousness
a word that shall not return:
‘To me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall swear allegiance.’
24 “Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me,
are righteousness and strength;
to him shall come and be ashamed
all who were incensed against him.
25 In the Lord all the offspring of Israel
shall be justified and shall glory.”
46:12-13 “Listen to me, you stubborn of heart,
you who are far from righteousness:
13 I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off,
and my salvation will not delay;
I will put salvation in Zion,
for Israel my glory.”
One of the remarkable features of modern GPS navigation is that it knows the best route to the destination long before we understand its choices. As we drive, we may encounter unexpected turns, roadblocks, or detours. More than once, a driver has looked at the screen and thought, “This can’t be the right way.” Yet the navigation system saw the entire route while we could only see the next few meters ahead.
In our life with God, there are seasons when His ways seem surprising. Life turns out very different from what we expected. He works through unexpected people and circumstances, at the time that he has chosen.
In those moments, we are reminded that unlike us, God sees the whole picture. Isaiah 45 and 46 lift our eyes above the here and now, to see God whose sovereign plan leads steadfastly to one glorious destination: His salvation for all the earth. The Lord declares, “I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory” (Isaiah 45:13, ESV).
These prophecies were made long before the exile, when Jerusalem would lie in ruins. To the Jews in Babylon, the promises of God might have seemed distant. Yet the Lord announced the coming deliverance, and He also reveals his instrument for that deliverance: Cyrus, the future king of Persia.
Cyrus was not an Israelite. He did not worship the God of Israel. The Lord repeatedly says of him, “though you do not know me” (Isaiah 45:4-5). Like most rulers, Cyrus would likely have attributed his success to military skill, political wisdom, or the favor of his own gods. Yet behind the scenes, God was directing history.
The Israelites would hear these words of prophecy with amazement. They would have expected their deliverer to be a prophet, a priest, or a descendant of David. Instead, God chose a pagan ruler. He is not limited by human expectations as he accomplishes his purposes.
Scripture declares: “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God” (Isaiah 45:5). Throughout these chapters, that statement echoes again and again.
In Cyrus’s world, many believed that opposing forces controlled the universe, with rival powers battling for dominance. Against such ideas, the Lord boldly declares, “I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things” (Isaiah 45:7). Blessing and judgment, prosperity and adversity, victory and defeat are not governed by competing gods.
God wants His people—and all nations—to understand that He alone rules history. Needless to say, God does not cause moral evil, for he is good, compassionate, and just. Rather, in these words he highlights his sovereign authority over all events and all things. Babylon had not defeated God. Persia would not save Israel – Israel’s God would save her.
Isaiah describes God’s salvation: “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit” (Isaiah 45:8). It comes not from meaningless pity but from God’s righteousness. It comes from above, like the rain, to water and refresh the earth.
Humanity cannot manufacture righteousness. We cannot save ourselves from our sinful tendencies, whether through our own efforts, our religion, or our achievement. In the coming of Jesus Christ, God’s righteousness came down from heaven. Through His life, death, and resurrection is salvation for all who trust in Him. The rescue of Israel was only part of a much larger story that would embrace the entire world.
God’s people often struggle to understand His methods. Some question His choice of method. Others may have wondered why God allowed the exile in the first place. The Lord’s response is: “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him” (Isaiah 45:9).
The clay cannot understand the potter’s design. The child does not always know why the parents do things in certain ways. We may bring our questions to God, searching for understanding and crying out in our grief and perplexity. But Isaiah reminds us that there is a difference between questioning God and trusting Him, because he sees the whole that we cannot.
We may struggle with circumstances that make little sense. A delayed answer to prayer. A disappointing setback. An unexpected detour. Isaiah invites us to trust that the God who formed us knows exactly what He is doing. His purposes are never random, even if they are hidden from us.
Isaiah 45 shows us clearly that God’s purpose is not focused only on Israel. The Lord declares, “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22). The salvation promised to Zion is now offered to every nation. The God of Israel is the Savior of the world.
There is salvation for sinners only in God. Not in any idol, any philosophy, any human system. Paul echoes these words in Philippians 2:10-11, where he sees this majestic only God as Jesus Christ the Lord. Before him, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord. The revelation is for all people everywhere.
Chapter 46 strengthens this message by contrasting the living God with the idols of Babylon, Bel and Nebo. With powerful irony, these gods are pictured being loaded onto animals and carts as the empire collapses. These gods, worshiped as mighty protectors, cannot even move to save themselves, but must be carried.
In contrast, God says to His people, “I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save” (Isaiah 46:4). Unlike the idols, which must be carried, he carries his people throughout their journey, from youth to gray hair, from strength to weakness. False gods become burdens. The true God bears our burdens, for all who belong to Him.
And so, God is the only One. “I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:9-10). Before Cyrus was born, God named him. Before Babylon fell, God predicted its fall. Before Israel returned, God announced its restoration.
He declares, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose” (Isaiah 46:10).
Human plans fail. Human promises are broken. Human kingdoms fade. But not so with God: “I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it” (Isaiah 46:11).
That is why His salvation is secure. The God who saves is also the God who rules history. His sovereignty guarantees the fulfillment of His promises.
As we close today, remember the great message of Isaiah 45 and 46. God alone is sovereign. God alone is Savior. And His salvation is meant for all the earth. The God who carried Israel through exile, who raised up Cyrus, who declared the end from the beginning, and who sent His Son into the world is carrying out his plan even today.
When life feels confusing, remember that the One directing history is also carrying you. When circumstances seem uncertain, remember that His counsel still stands. And when you wonder whether God’s promises will be fulfilled, remember His words: “My salvation will not delay.”
The day is coming when every knee will bow before Jesus Christ and all the earth will acknowledge the salvation of the Lord. Until then, may we trust His sovereign hand, rest in His saving grace, and gladly obey him: “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth.” God bless.