Isaiah 45:11-17 – God’s unseen hand is at work in us

Using His covenant name Yahweh, God declared Himself as the Maker of  Israel and their Holy One. He then explained why He had all the rights to do as He would. He asked the people who dare to challenge and slander Him to inquire and reason with Him concerning the future of their children whom He owned as His sons. He was sure that when they understood His purpose, they would commit the works that He alone could accomplish to Him.

God again stressed that He, the Creator God, had made everything. He made heaven and earth and ordained the light. And He stressed that He was the One who would raise up Cyrus in righteousness. This suggests that Cyrus’ role would essentially fulfill His righteous purpose of delivering His people from oppression. God would use this Persian monarch to rebuild Jerusalem, God’s own city. He would also be the instrument God would use to liberate His people from their exile. And he would do God’s bidding without requiring any compensation or expecting any reward.

In verse 14, God promised that after His deliverance, His people would enjoy a glorious future.  Zion would be a place that many would be attracted to. Egypt was said to bring their gifts and Cush, their merchandise. And even the Sabeans, men of stature from Sheba would be drawn to Zion, the glorious city. They would gladly associate and would even bind themselves in commitment to the people of God in Zion. The mention of Egypt, Cush, and the Sabeans was probably to indicate summarily that many nations would be drawn to Zion. The reason was that they would realize that Israel’s God was indeed the only true God.  They would recognize and realize that there never was one like Him and would never be another like Him. They would gladly acknowledge Him, Yahweh, as the only God who saves.  

In verse 15, Isaiah then bursts out in adoration referring to the God of Israel as one who hides Himself. What did he mean? Here he was inferring that God was quietly working behind all the oppression Israel had to experience to mysteriously bring about their salvation. He was indeed Israel’s Saviour. He went on to declare the ultimate result that all those who made and venerate idols would be humiliated and put to shame. But God’s restored people, he assured, would experience everlasting salvation. For all eternity, they would not be put to shame or humiliated.  

Reflecting on these verses, we cannot help but feel that we Christians are privileged people just like God’s restored people. His unseen hand which worked mysteriously to save the people of Israel is now working to save those whom Christ in His completed work at Calvary has claimed for Him. God is still mysteriously saving, changing, and transforming us. He is restoring us into His image, the likeness of Christ. What a joy it is to know the Lord and be known by Him. We will never be shamed or humiliated for all eternity!