The Lord chose Cyrus, king of persia, to do His work. Isaiah wrote about Cyrus before he was born. He would become the ruler who would rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. God would help Cyrus even though he didn't know God. Then the Lord told Israel they didn't have the right to question Him about Cyrus. The Lord alone is God. He is the only one who can bring about justice.
The gods of Babylon are helpless. God is the only God not formed by man. All the others are made of wood, stone and metal by human hands. They just sit there, they can't help anyone with anything. God will save Israel.
Surrender Babylon! The Lord will save Israel and shame you. You thought you could get away with anything you did, but you were wrong. You thought you were in control, but you don't know that I (God) control everything. You think you are so smart, but you don't know everything. Keep using your magic spells, you might finally frighten somebody! Ask your astrologers what the future will be, the stars won't help you. The fortunetellers can't save you.
The Lord told the people of Israel that they were lying when they said they depended on Him. He told them in advance what He would do so they would know He did it and not some idol they thought up. The Lord told them he would test them to refine them like silver in a furnace. God told them He alone is God and He created the earth and sky. The Lord told them that if only they had obeyed Him, there would be more people than sand and He would never have allowed them to be defeated. Leave Babylon and celebrate. They would say that the Lord had led them. The Lord promised that there will be no peace for the wicked.
There is some discussion among bible scholars about to whom the Lord is speaking in chapter 49; some say, the Messiah, some say Israel and some say Isaiah.
Everyone listen! The Lord chose me to serve Him before I was born. He has honored me and made me strong. Israel, you are the chosen ones and kings will bow down at your feet. The Lord will lead His people home and take good care of them on the journey. Even when the Lord's people suffer, they are shown His mercy - He will not forget them! Jerusalem will be rebuilt faster than it was destroyed. It will be restored and then outshine its former glory. The Lord will take revenge on the cruel enemies of the Israelites.
Tomorrow read Isaiah 50-54
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