I am the LORD, I have no peer,
Isaiah 45:5 NET
there is no God but me.
I arm you for battle, even though you do not recognize me.
This chapter of Isaiah introduces Cyrus, the Persian king who defeated Babylon and allowed the Jews to return home and rebuild their temple. Scholars are divided as to whether this was written by Isaiah 150 years before its fulfillment or added by a later author looking back at Cyrus.
But whichever is true, the message here remains the same. Cyrus did not know or acknowledge God. Yet God used him. Beyond using him, God equipped him to accomplish His purpose in ending the Jewish exile.
Cyrus was not unique in this respect. God also raised the pharaoh of the Exodus, along with the nations of Assyria and Babylon. God is sovereign over all his creation. And that includes people and nations that do not serve or acknowledge him.
The logical question some might raise then is the issue of human free will. Is God like a chess master, moving his pieces around the board as he chooses? Without any input from the pieces?
This same chapter would argue against that. God holds people accountable for what they choose to do.
God is like that chess master who moves pieces as he chooses. But like the chess master who knows the strengths and weaknesses of each of his pieces. Who knows when and how to move them to carry out his plan. A plan that is hidden from the pieces being moved.
God does not cause us to be who we are. He is not responsible for our sins. But he does use who we are and all we do. How he does that is beyond my knowledge. But I can trust that he is sovereign over all things. This world may seem out of control. But it is not. God is still on his throne.
