Cyrus, God’s Ungodly Servant

Isaiah 45

Sermon Notes:

1) What the Ungodly meant for evil, God meant for good news, 1-7

2) What God’s people despised, God meant for freedom and restoration, 8-13

3) When God means to save and bless, God makes His Plan and Promise Clear, 14- 25

Reflection questions:

1) Read Genesis 50:20. How does Joseph’s life (in slavery, in prison) remind you of Israel’s exile and God’s plan to bring them home through Cyrus’ decree?

2) Read Psalm 1. Does God promise (through the metaphor of the tree, which represents “the blessed man”) that His people will never experience hardship? If not, what does He promise? What is He trying to tell us about our life?

3) Are God’s plans always 100% clear to us? Is God’s Word always 100% clear about every detail? Are they clear enough? See also Jeremiah 29:10-14; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Isaiah 45:15-22.