It has been my observation that the Hebrew captives in Babylon had reconciled with God, yet they were still captives, content to wait for God’s timing. Then, they heard the message from Isaiah, and they knew they had not waited in vain. As time for their emancipation drew close, they asked questions concerning the things to come. They wondered how much longer they would wait.

Isaiah 45:11-14 says — Concerning things to come; do you question me … or give me orders about the work of my hands? It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts. I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness: I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward, says the Lord Almighty … The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and those tall Sabeans— they will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you, coming over to you in chains. They will bow down before you and plead with you, saying, Surely God is with you, and there is no other; there is no other god. (NIV)

Some of the senior Hebrew men who heard messages from Isaiah and Daniel had spent most of their life in captivity, they could remember the promised land, but it was a distant memory. Their children and grandchildren were born and raised in Babylon. For the children and grandchildren, God’s promised land was only an idea, they had no practical experience.

Now the children hear from this God they have learned about in their homes; they are told of his role in creation. God directs them to submit to the message, the will of their creator, not by way of defiance towards Babylon, but by submission. They are encouraged to avoid complaining and center on faithfulness and focused prayer. God implies in Isaiah 45:9-10 they have nothing of substance to offer him, they are not positioned to impart knowledge to God or give the law to him, they have no authority over God to change the emancipation plan. God requests they yield to the emancipation plan – Cyrus.

I would imagine they were truly perplexed. After two generations of captivity, they had made a new life in Babylon. They were slaves, but part of one of the most powerful cities on the face of the earth. They were safe, free from strife and war. They were not able to choose their life, but they did have a sense of security. Now, their God was saying – change is coming. You are going back to the place your forefathers came from. Scarry? I would guess it was. They start whining. God says to them – be still. I am God. You are not! We are leaving Babylon. That is all there is to say. Get prepared now! We are going.

God encourages them to depend upon him, he is in control. Besides, Cyrus is coming, their security blanket is on the job. It is best to stay close to God where they have protection. Even Cyrus had a sense of his role in this story. Some even say that Daniel meets and greets Cyrus (according to Josephus the historian). Isaiah’s message is not living in a vacuum. Cyrus is aware of the message from God.

The deeper truth– our life is in the hands of God, the God of Israel, the God of Creation, our protector. Our help comes from Jehovah-Jira, who moves to protect his people and restores us to the promised land. We are encouraged to yield to his plan. He exudes authority, he displays the wisdom and power sufficient to govern our life, he demonstrates he can do what is required to bring glory to his plan. The Lord remembers us. He blessed his people Israel in spite of their rebellion, he blessed the house of Aaron, he blessed those who fear (respected) the Lord’s plan—small and great alike (implied in Psalm 115:12-13). We only have one path – submission. We are told – you are going home. Get ready.

I choose Jesus.