“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
October 31, 2023
On October 28, 2023 a statue of Cyrus the Great was unveiled in Atlanta, Georgia. According to the reporter, “It stands beside other revolutionary fighters from around the world who fought for a more equitable and just future for their communities.” If you want a classic example of God’s absolute control over all human affairs, you will want to visit with the prophet Isaiah. “God has the right to use any of us however He wants.” Do you chaff at the assertion? According to Isaiah 41 and 45, Israel’s prospect of being liberated from exile in Babylon was to be in the hands of the great Persian king, Cyrus. God used this pagan king to bless His people, Israel. Cyrus gave the green light for Jews to return to their Promised Land and rebuild Jerusalem (536 B.C.). Contrary to Zoroastrianism, the religion of the Persians, which believed Mazda was the god of light and Ahriman was the god of evil. Not so! The God of the universe and Israel’s God is the Creator and Sustainer of the physical universe. He brings peace but He also can bring disaster and judgment on nations as He was about to do to Babylon through Cyrus. Worshipers of the true God are called to bow their knees to the Potter who molds the clay of human beings (Isa. 45:9-10). The statue of Cyrus the Great in its truest sense is a witness to God’s rule over the nations, yes, even modern Iran and Israel.
H