Sovereignty and Submission (Isaiah 45:9-25)
The announcement of Cyrus as God’s instrument is a shock to the reader. A shock to Isaiah’s initial readers, because Persia isn’t on anyone’s radar. Babylon is not even in power yet. He is talking about things 200 years in the future! However, it is a shock to later readers because Jews did not expect a Gentile to be their redeemer! People today want to see God intervene in history in a miraculous way, not just orchestrate ordinary events. In this sense, despite the astounding predictive powers on display, the whole thing is a bit of a let down in some sense.
God’s response is a bit sarcastic. “Why don’t you tell me what you want!” No. He is the potter and the pot cannot demand. God is sovereign in the universe because He is its creator. He is sovereign in history, because He is the director, the storyteller.
Yet, He is also a God whose sovereign control is often hidden, even as it is unquestionable. Those who do not know God do not see His actions in history and creation. Those who do know Him too often fail to see Him as well. Not because they are not looking. Not even because they don’t want to see. If the key to a relationship with God is trust, He hides Himself to elicit faith where there is no sight. But He tells us once we do trust.
False gods put on a show. They ask you to trust promises with a hint of sight. However, they do not deliver. They are incapable. They are neither sovereign nor active. Those who trust them rather than believing in YHWH are doomed to shame and disgrace.
YHWH is often hidden, but He is creator, revealer, savior, and guarantee-er. Faith in Him is never offered in vain.
God’s response is a bit sarcastic. “Why don’t you tell me what you want!” No. He is the potter and the pot cannot demand. God is sovereign in the universe because He is its creator. He is sovereign in history, because He is the director, the storyteller.
Yet, He is also a God whose sovereign control is often hidden, even as it is unquestionable. Those who do not know God do not see His actions in history and creation. Those who do know Him too often fail to see Him as well. Not because they are not looking. Not even because they don’t want to see. If the key to a relationship with God is trust, He hides Himself to elicit faith where there is no sight. But He tells us once we do trust.
False gods put on a show. They ask you to trust promises with a hint of sight. However, they do not deliver. They are incapable. They are neither sovereign nor active. Those who trust them rather than believing in YHWH are doomed to shame and disgrace.
YHWH is often hidden, but He is creator, revealer, savior, and guarantee-er. Faith in Him is never offered in vain.
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