Chapter 45

45:1  Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

anointed

The only instance where the word is applied to a Gentile. Nebuchadnezzar is called the "servant" of Jehovah Jeremiah 25:9 ; 27:6 ; 43:10 This, with the designation "My shepherd" Isaiah 44:28 also a Messianic title, marks Cyrus as that startling exception, a Gentile type of Christ. The points are:

(1) both are irresistible conquerors of Israel's enemies. Isaiah 45:1 ; Revelation 19:19-21

(2) both are restorers of the holy city Isaiah 44:28 ; Zechariah 14:1-11

(3) through both is the name of the one true God glorified Isaiah 45:6 ; 1 Corinthians 15:28 .

45:7  I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

create evil

Heb. "ra" translated "sorrow," "wretchedness," "adversity," "afflictions," "calamities," but never translated sin. God created evil only in the sense that He made sorrow, wretchedness, etc., to be the sure fruits of sin.