Isaiah 45 (résumé): The anointing of Cyrus the Great

Isaiah 45 is a prophecy concerning God's choice of Cyrus the Great of Persia to conquer Babylon and release the Jewish exiles. Initially God calls Cyrus "his anointed... to subdue nations before him... so that you may know that I am the Lord... I am the Lord and there is no other". The text goes on to reaffirm God's sovereignty who cannot be questioned but does what he wants and chooses who he wants to do his will like Cyrus who will rebuild Jerusalem. God then distinguishes himself from idols as "all the makers of idols will be put to shame... but Israel will be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation... by the creator God of which there is no other". The text then closes calling the nations to God: "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God and there is no other... and before me every knee will bow and by me every tongue will swear".