Promise of Deliverance
TimeWatch Editorial
January 30, 2016
In the book of Isaiah, chapter 44 and verse 28, the name of Cyrus is mentioned. What is absolutely incredible about this is the fact that God takes the time to deliver the basis of his authority as an introduction to the specific tasks that will be assigned to Cyrus.
When Job had lost what he considered to be everything, his subtle complaints rose toward the heavens. Notice how he begins:
“After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. And Job spake, and said, let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, there is a man child conceived. Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it. Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months. Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.” Job 3: 1 -7
Job doesn’t stop there, he continues:
“Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning. Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but [have] none; neither let it see the dawning of the day: Because it shut not up the doors of my [mother's] womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes. Why died I not from the womb? [Why] did I [not] give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? Why did the knees prevent me? Or why the breasts that I should suck? For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest.” Job 3: 8 -13
After allowing Job to continue to wallow for about 37 chapters, God responds by asking Job some questions.
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? (In other words: what nonsense are you talking?)
Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; Job 38: 1 -6
Notice God speaks directly to the statements made by Job in chapter 3: 1-13, establishing his authority as creator. This is always how God speaks. There can never be any doubt about who is in charge. Job’s experience is an example of the wisdom and power of God. This is also how he spoke in Isaiah chapter 44 regarding Cyrus.
“Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise [men] backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof: That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers: That saith of Cyrus, [He is] my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.” Isaiah 44:24 – 28
None but God himself, could have foretold about 150 years before he was born, the name of the one who should deliver the Jewish people from bondage; God called Cyrus “my shepherd.” A shepherd is one who guides the flock. Which flock? Specifically those who are followers of God are his flock. This is who God is. This is how God delivers.
Cameron A. Bowen
