Isaiah Chapter 45
Isaiah 45, Look to Me and Be Saved
Isaiah 45 continues the prophecy concerning Cyrus, whom the Lord names before his birth as the ruler He would use to overthrow Babylon and release His people. The chapter emphasizes God’s sovereign control over history, His authority over pagan kings, His uniqueness as the only God, His role as Creator, and His power to save. It also contains one of the clearest gospel invitations in the Old Testament, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.” The notes provided cover Isaiah 45:1-25, including Cyrus as the Lord’s anointed instrument, the purpose of Cyrus’s victories, the foolishness of striving with the Creator, the future submission of nations, the shame of idol makers, the Lord as both just God and Savior, and the universal summons to look to the Lord for salvation.
Isaiah 45:1-3
Isaiah 45:1-3, KJV, “Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose loins of kings, to open before him two leaved gates; and gates shall not shut; I will go before thee, and make crooked places straight: I will break in pieces gates of brass, and cut in sunder bars of iron: And I will give thee treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, LORD, which call thee by thy name, am God of Israel.”
The Lord speaks directly concerning Cyrus, calling him “his anointed.” This is remarkable because Cyrus was a pagan Persian king, not a king of Israel and not a covenant son of David. Yet God sovereignly appointed him for a specific task. The word anointed does not mean Cyrus was spiritually regenerate or equal to Messiah. It means God set him apart for a providential mission. The Lord may use whom He wills, even rulers who do not yet know Him, to accomplish His purposes.
God says He held Cyrus’s right hand. This means Cyrus’s success was not ultimately because of Cyrus’s brilliance, military power, or political skill. The Lord strengthened him, guided him, and opened the way before him. Cyrus may have thought his victories came from his own wisdom and strength, but God reveals that His hand was behind the rise of Cyrus.
The Lord’s purpose was “to subdue nations before him.” Historically, Cyrus conquered great powers and became the ruler of a vast empire. Yet the point in Isaiah is theological, not merely historical. God rules over kings and empires. He raises up one and brings down another.
Daniel 2:21, KJV, “And he changeth times and seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.”
Cyrus’s rise proves that the Lord governs history.
The Lord also says He will “loose the loins of kings.” This pictures kings losing strength, courage, and readiness before Cyrus. The Lord would open before him the “two leaved gates,” and the gates would not be shut. This points to the fall of Babylon, where the city that seemed nearly impossible to conquer was opened before Cyrus.
Daniel 5 records the night Babylon fell. Belshazzar was feasting in pride while judgment approached.
Daniel 5:30-31, KJV, “In that night was Belshazzar king of Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.”
Babylon fell suddenly, just as God had declared. The gates and defenses that seemed secure did not stop God’s appointed instrument.
The Lord says, “I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight.” Cyrus did not make his own path alone. God went before him. The Lord broke gates of brass and cut bars of iron. No obstacle could stand when God opened the way.
The Lord also promised Cyrus “treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places.” Babylon’s wealth would be given into his hand. But the deeper purpose is stated at the end of verse 3, “that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.” God named Cyrus ahead of time so Cyrus would recognize that the God of Israel was the true God.
This prophecy also demonstrates the reliability of God’s Word. The Lord named the deliverer before the deliverance came. This is not guesswork. It is divine foreknowledge and sovereign rule.
Isaiah 46:9-10, KJV, “Remember former things of old: for I God, and there none else; I God, and there none like me, Declaring end from beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.”
The Lord declares the end from the beginning because His counsel will stand.
Isaiah 45:4-7
Isaiah 45:4-7, KJV, “For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. I LORD, and none else, there no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from rising of sun, and from west, that there none beside me. I LORD, and none else. I form light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I LORD do all these things.”
The Lord explains why He called Cyrus, “For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect.” Cyrus may have thought the empire existed for his own glory, but God raised him up for the sake of His covenant people. The great movements of history often have God’s people in view. The Lord raises kings, redirects empires, opens doors, and overturns powers for His own purposes.
This is one of the ironies of providence. A mighty Persian ruler is raised up so that a small, conquered people might be released from exile. God’s concern for His people stands behind events that look purely political on the surface.
The Lord says, “I have even called thee by thy name.” Cyrus was named by God before he knew God. The Lord adds, “I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.” Cyrus did not begin as a worshipper of the Lord, yet God used him. This should humble rulers and encourage believers. God is not limited to visible servants. He can direct those who do not know Him.
Proverbs 21:1, KJV, “The king's heart in hand of LORD, as rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”
God can turn the heart of a king according to His will.
The repeated declaration is, “I am the LORD, and none else, there is no God beside me.” This chapter strongly rejects all dualism, polytheism, idolatry, and the idea of rival divine powers. There is one God, the Lord, and no other.
The purpose is global, “That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me.” God’s dealings with Cyrus, Babylon, and Israel were meant to reveal His uniqueness from east to west.
Cyrus’s decree later acknowledged the Lord’s hand.
Ezra 1:1-3, KJV, “Now in first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that word of LORD by mouth of Jeremiah might fulfilled, LORD stirred up spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, LORD God of heaven hath given me all kingdoms of earth; and he hath charged me to build him house at Jerusalem, which in Judah. Who there among you of all his people? his God with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which in Judah, and build house of LORD God of Israel, he God, which in Jerusalem.”
The Lord stirred Cyrus’s spirit and caused him to proclaim the rebuilding of the house of God.
Verse 7 says, “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil.” The word evil here should be understood as calamity, disaster, or judgment, not moral evil in the sense that God sins or authors wickedness. Scripture is clear that God is holy and does not tempt anyone with evil.
James 1:13, KJV, “Let no man say when he tempted, I tempted of God: for God cannot tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.”
God is not the author of sin. Yet He is sovereign over calamity, judgment, peace, darkness, light, prosperity, and disaster. Nothing stands outside His rule. Satan is not God’s opposite. Evil is not an eternal rival force. God alone is Lord.
This matters in suffering. When times are dark, God is still sovereign. When calamity comes, God is not dethroned. The same God who forms light also governs darkness. The same God who gives peace also rules over judgment.
Isaiah 45:8
Isaiah 45:8, KJV, “Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let skies pour down righteousness: let earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I LORD have created it.”
The Lord calls creation to participate in His saving purpose. The heavens are told to drop down from above, and the skies to pour down righteousness. The earth is told to open and bring forth salvation. Righteousness and salvation spring up together.
This verse shows that salvation and righteousness belong together. God does not save a man while leaving him content in unrighteousness. When the Lord brings salvation, He also brings righteousness. Justification and sanctification must be distinguished, but they must never be separated. The one whom God saves, God also begins to transform.
Titus 2:11-14, KJV, “For grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in present world; Looking for blessed hope, and glorious appearing of great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Grace brings salvation and teaches righteousness. Christ redeems from iniquity and purifies a people zealous of good works.
The verse ends, “I the LORD have created it.” The Lord creates both the physical order and the redemptive order. Salvation is not man’s invention. Righteousness is not man’s achievement. The Lord brings them forth.
Isaiah 45:9-10
Isaiah 45:9-10, KJV, “Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let potsherd strive with potsherds of earth. Shall clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? Woe unto him that saith unto father, What begettest thou? or to woman, What hast thou brought forth?”
The Lord now rebukes the foolishness of resisting the Creator. “Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker.” The creature has no right to contend arrogantly against the One who made him. A potsherd, a broken piece of pottery, may strive with other potsherds, but it is absurd for clay to argue against the potter.
The image is simple and humbling. The clay does not possess the wisdom, authority, or perspective of the potter. It cannot rightly accuse the potter by saying, “What makest thou?” The formed thing cannot judge the One who formed it.
Paul uses the same imagery when speaking of God’s sovereignty.
Romans 9:20-21, KJV, “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not potter power over clay, of same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?”
Man’s first posture before God must be humility. The Lord made us. He knows what He is doing. He has rights over us.
Isaiah then adds the image of a child questioning father and mother, “What begettest thou?” or “What hast thou brought forth?” The one begotten did not choose his own existence. He receives life. So man receives his life from God and must not accuse God for the way He has made him.
This does not mean believers cannot bring grief, confusion, and lament to God. Scripture is filled with godly lament. But lament must not become proud accusation against the Maker. The creature may plead, ask, mourn, and seek understanding, but he must not sit in judgment over God.
Job 40:1-5, KJV, “Moreover LORD answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. Then Job answered LORD, and said, Behold, I vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.”
The right response to God’s majesty is humility.
Isaiah 45:11-13
Isaiah 45:11-13, KJV, “Thus saith LORD, Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning work of my hands command ye me. I have made earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out heavens, and all their host have I commanded. 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 LORD of hosts.”
The Lord again identifies Himself as “the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker.” He is both holy and Creator. His holiness means His purposes are pure. His creatorship means His authority is absolute.
Verse 11 is best understood not as man being invited to command God arrogantly, but as God challenging His people to trust Him concerning the future of His sons and the work of His hands. The point is that God is able to declare and accomplish what is coming because He made all things.
The Lord says, “I have made the earth, and created man upon it.” The Creator is not merely the One who started the world and then withdrew. He made the earth, created man, stretched out the heavens, and commands their host. He actively rules what He created.
Nehemiah 9:6, KJV, “Thou, even thou, LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, heaven of heavens, with all their host, earth, and all things that therein, seas, and all that therein, and thou preservest them all; and host of heaven worshippeth thee.”
The Lord made all things and preserves all things.
Then He returns to Cyrus, “I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways.” God raised Cyrus according to His righteous purpose. Cyrus’s mission would be directed by the Lord.
The result is specific, “he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives.” Cyrus would allow the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. He would not do this for price or reward, but because the Lord moved him to do it.
This was fulfilled historically.
2 Chronicles 36:22-23, KJV, “Now in first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that word of LORD spoken by mouth of Jeremiah might accomplished, LORD stirred up spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made proclamation throughout all kingdom, and put also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All kingdoms of earth hath LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him house in Jerusalem, which in Judah. Who there among you of all his people? LORD his God with him, and let him go up.”
God’s Word stood. Cyrus did what God said he would do.
Isaiah 45:14-17
Isaiah 45:14-17, KJV, “Thus saith LORD, Labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God in thee; and there none else, there no God. Verily thou God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, Saviour. They shall ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that makers of idols. But Israel shall saved in LORD with everlasting salvation: ye shall not ashamed nor confounded world without end.”
The Lord now looks beyond Cyrus to the future honor of Israel among the nations. Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Sabeans are pictured coming over, bowing, and confessing, “Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.” The submission of the nations is ultimately not to Israel’s inherent greatness, but to the God who is with Israel.
This anticipates the future kingdom, when the nations will recognize the Lord and His covenant purposes for Israel.
Zechariah 8:22-23, KJV, “Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before LORD. Thus saith LORD of hosts; In those days ten men shall take hold out of all languages of nations, even shall take hold of skirt of him that Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God with you.”
The nations will one day acknowledge that God is with Israel.
Isaiah then says, “Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.” God is not hidden in the sense that a seeking sinner cannot find Him. Rather, His ways are often hidden, mysterious, and beyond man’s immediate perception. He may work through exile, foreign kings, delayed promises, and unexpected instruments. His hand is not always obvious at first, but He is still the Savior of Israel.
Romans 11:33, KJV, “O depth of riches both of wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
God’s ways are often past finding out, but they are always wise.
The idol makers will be ashamed and confounded. Their false gods will fail. But Israel “shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation.” This is more than temporary deliverance from Babylon. It points to the final salvation God will bring through Messiah. Israel will not be ashamed or confounded world without end.
Romans 11:26-27, KJV, “And so all Israel shall saved: as it written, There shall come out of Sion Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”
God’s everlasting salvation for Israel rests on His covenant faithfulness.
Isaiah 45:18-21
Isaiah 45:18-21, KJV, “For thus saith LORD that created heavens; God himself that formed earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to inhabited: I LORD; and none else. I have not spoken in secret, in dark place of earth: I said not unto seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right. Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye escaped of nations: they have no knowledge that set up wood of their graven image, and pray unto god that cannot save. Tell ye, and bring near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? not I LORD? and no God else beside me; just God and Saviour; none beside me.”
The Lord again grounds everything in creation. He created the heavens, formed the earth, made it, established it, and formed it to be inhabited. The earth is not meaningless. Creation has purpose because the Creator has purpose.
The phrase “he created it not in vain” shows that God’s purpose for creation is not emptiness or futility. The earth was formed to be inhabited and to display His glory. This verse is sometimes used in discussions of the Gap Theory, but the main point in the text is clear, God created with purpose, order, and intention.
The Lord repeats, “I am the LORD; and there is none else.” Creation itself testifies against idolatry. The God who formed the earth is the only God.
He says, “I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth.” God has revealed Himself clearly and righteously. He did not tell Jacob’s seed to seek Him in vain. The Lord does not mock sincere seekers. He does not command men to seek Him while intending not to be found.
Jeremiah 29:13, KJV, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
Hebrews 11:6, KJV, “But without faith impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
God rewards those who diligently seek Him. He does not say, “Seek ye me in vain.”
The Lord then summons the escaped nations and exposes the foolishness of idolatry. Those who carry the wood of a graven image and pray to a god that cannot save have no knowledge. Their god must be carried. The Lord carries His people.
Isaiah 46:3-4, KJV, “Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all remnant of house of Israel, which borne by me from belly, which carried from womb: And even to old age I he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”
Idols must be carried. The Lord carries and delivers His people.
The Lord asks who declared these things from ancient time. The answer is the Lord alone. Then comes another profound title, “a just God and a Saviour.” At first glance, justice and salvation seem in tension. If God is just, sinners must be judged. How then can He save? The answer is found in the cross of Christ, where God’s justice and saving mercy meet.
Romans 3:24-26, KJV, “Being justified freely by his grace through redemption that in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for remission of sins that past, through forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might just, and justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”
God is just and the justifier because Christ bore the judgment sinners deserve. The Lord is a just God and a Savior.
Isaiah 45:22
Isaiah 45:22, KJV, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ends of earth: for I God, and none else.”
This is one of the clearest invitations to salvation in the Old Testament. The command is simple, “Look unto me.” Salvation is not earned by climbing, paying, performing, suffering, or improving oneself. The sinner is commanded to look. Faith looks away from self and looks to the Lord.
The object is specific, “unto me.” Not to idols. Not to self. Not to works. Not to ceremonies. Not to priests. Not to religious institutions. Not to human wisdom. The sinner must look to the Lord.
The promise is certain, “and be ye saved.” God does not say, “Look and perhaps be saved.” He says, “Look unto me, and be ye saved.” The assurance rests on God’s character and promise.
The invitation is worldwide, “all the ends of the earth.” Though Isaiah speaks deeply of Israel’s restoration, the Lord’s saving call extends to the nations. The same Lord who chose Israel also calls the ends of the earth to salvation.
The reason is, “for I am God, and none else.” Only God can save. Therefore all must look to Him.
This verse is beautifully illustrated by the bronze serpent in the wilderness. Israel had sinned and was bitten by fiery serpents. God commanded Moses to lift up a serpent of brass, and those who looked lived.
Numbers 21:8-9, KJV, “And LORD said unto Moses, Make thee fiery serpent, and set it upon pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made serpent of brass, and put it upon pole, and it came to pass, that if serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld serpent of brass, he lived.”
They were not healed by effort, payment, or religious achievement. They looked in faith at what God provided, and they lived.
Jesus applied that event to Himself.
John 3:14-16, KJV, “And as Moses lifted up serpent in wilderness, even so must Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
To look to the Lord is to believe in the crucified and risen Christ. The sinner must look away from self and look to Jesus Christ alone.
Isaiah 45:23-25
Isaiah 45:23-25, KJV, “I have sworn by myself, word gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that incensed against him shall ashamed. In LORD shall all seed of Israel justified, and shall glory.”
The Lord swears by Himself because there is none greater by whom He can swear. His word has gone out in righteousness and will not return empty. What God declares will stand.
Hebrews 6:13, KJV, “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself.”
The oath is universal, “That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” Every creature will finally acknowledge the Lord. Some will bow in joyful salvation. Others will bow in defeated judgment. But every knee will bow.
Paul applies this directly to Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:9-11, KJV, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him name which above every name: That at name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under earth; And every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ Lord, to glory of God Father.”
This is overwhelming testimony to the deity of Christ. In Isaiah, the Lord says every knee will bow to Him. In Philippians, every knee bows to Jesus. Therefore Jesus shares the divine identity of the Lord. The confession “Jesus Christ is Lord” glorifies God the Father because the Son is truly divine.
The saved confession is, “Surely, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength.” This is the language of true faith. The believer does not say, “In myself I have righteousness and strength.” He says both are found in the Lord. Righteousness for justification and strength for life come from Him.
1 Corinthians 1:30-31, KJV, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as written, He that glorieth, let him glory in Lord.”
Christ is our righteousness. Therefore all glory belongs to the Lord.
Those who are incensed against Him will be ashamed. Resisting God ends in disgrace. But “In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.” Israel’s final hope is not in herself, but in the Lord. Justification and glory are in Him.
This also fits the gospel pattern for Jew and Gentile alike.
Romans 5:1, KJV, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Isaiah 45 ends with salvation by looking to the Lord, righteousness in the Lord, strength in the Lord, justification in the Lord, and glory in the Lord. There is no other God and no other Savior.
