Posted on 10/13/2004 12:49:51 AM PDT by freedom44
One of the truly astounding prophecies of the Bible is found in the last verse of Isaiah 44, together with chapter 45:1ff, (an unfortunate chapter break). It has to do with Cyrus, king of Persia. According to the historian Herodotus (i.46), Cyrus was the son of Cambyses I. He came to the Persian throne in 559 B.C. Nine years later he conquered the Medes, thus unifying the kingdoms of the Medes and the Persians.
Cyrus is mentioned some 23 times in the literature of the Old Testament. Isaiah refers to Cyrus as Jehovah’s “shepherd,” the Lord’s “anointed,” who was providentially appointed to facilitate the divine plan. God would lead this monarch to “subdue nations” and “open doors” (an allusion to the Jews’ release from Babylonian captivity). He would make “rough places smooth,” i.e., accommodate the Hebrews’ return to their Palestinean homeland. He would ultimately be responsible for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the reconstruction of the temple.
Amazingly, the king would accomplish these noble tasks even though he did not “know” Jehovah (45:4,5). In other words, though he was a pagan in sentiment and practice, yet, as an unconscious tool in the hands of the Lord, he would contribute mightily to the Jewish cause, and so, indirectly, to the coming of God’s greater Anointed, Jesus of Nazareth.
The fulfillment of these plain and specific predictions is set forth in 2 Chronicles 36:22,23 and Ezra 1:1-4,7,8; 3:7; 4:3. The Encyclopedia Britannica, an unlikely source, acknowledges that “in 538 [B.C.] Cyrus granted to the Jews, whom Nebuchadressar had transported to Babylonia, the return to Palestine and the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its temple” (Vol. 6, 1958, p. 940).
H.G. Wells, in his book, The Outline of History, concedes that the Jews “returned to their city, Jerusalem” and “rebuilt their temple there under the auspices of Cyrus,” the Persian monarch (1931, p. 253). What many people do not realize in reading Isaiah 44:28ff is that this heathen ruler was named by the prophet long before the monarch was even born. Isaiah prophesied in the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (1:1). His ministry thus occurred in the latter portion of the 8th century B.C. (ca. 740-701 B.C.). This was some one hundred fifty years before Cyrus came to the throne!
Incredible declarations of this nature have led critics (who reject the possibility of predictive prophecy) to suggest that these portions of the book of Isaiah were added much later – after the fact, as it were. A popular reference work states:
“Because the book of Isaiah includes prophecies concerning events during and after the Exile, critical scholars generally attribute portions of the book to one, two, or more prophets in addition to Isaiah (esp. Deutero-Isaiah, chs. 40-55; Trito-Isaiah, chs. 56-66)” (The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary, 1987, p. 531). Here is an example of how the liberal viewpoint is reflected even by a professor in a Christian university.
In discussing the promises set forth in Isaiah 44:26-28, John T. Willis of Abilene Christian University says: “All of these promises assume that Jerusalem and the cities of Judah have been razed, that the temple is no longer standing, that Cyrus is on the scene and swiftly growing in power, and that the return of the exiles is imminent” (Isaiah, p. 380).
If such is the case, then this material could not possibly have been written by the prophet Isaiah since he died long before these events transpired. The author, in spite of his claim of a conservative approach to the book (p. 31), clearly reflects his opinion that this portion of the book of Isaiah was authored by a writer of the 6th century B.C. (cf. p. 381).
Against such a viewpoint we have the assurance of scripture itself. Earlier, in 41:25ff, Isaiah had spoken of the coming of “one . . . from the rising of the sun.” Though not called by name, the allusion is clearly to Cyrus, who would bring good tidings regarding Jerusalem.
In 41:26, Isaiah makes it plain that the mission of Cyrus was a matter of prophecy, not educated speculation. It is a reflection of compromised faith to postulate a late date for these prophecies.
Finally, as an interesting sidelight, we note that Josephus, the Jewish historian, states that the Jews in Babylonian captivity showed Cyrus the prophecies of the Old Testament Scriptures which contain his name and described his role in the scheme of God. The historian says that it was this circumstance that motivated the ruler “to fulfill what was written” (Antiquities 11.1.2), and thus to issue his edict permitting Israel’s return to her homeland.
Excavations at Babylon (1879-82) led to the discovery of a clay barrel, known as the Cyrus Cylinder, which contained a marvelous historical confirmation of the biblical narrative. It portrays the benevolent policies of Cyrus in the following fashion: “All of their peoples I gathered together and restored to their dwelling-places” (see: Ira M. Price, The Monuments and the Old Testament, 1899-1907, p. 234).
Predictive prophecy is a compelling evidence for the divine origin of the Holy Scriptures.
Iran history ping and GGG.
Cyrus the Great is a Freeper as well. ;) heh.
This is really interesting, thanks for posting the article.
Why do so many, even in the Christian world, have such a hard time with prophecy and revelation?
They do not realise that the bible is the Word of God. They listen to the athiests who tell them, 'How can you trsut a book that is 2000 years old?'.
Since it doesnt make sense to their rational mind, it cant be true.
They have a "closed box" view of the universe where everything is validated through their rational minds...which is ridiculous when you think about it. Everyone knows that at some point everything which is visible came into existence from that which is not visible (unless you accept the totally untenable premise that there was no beginning)
I think that a good point of beginning with such individuals is the hundreds of prophecies that point to Christ. When he would be born, where, how, his ministry, His death, His resurrection.
The most difficult part is that those who refuse to believe in prophecy begin from the assumption that it is not true, rather than from the assumption that it may be true. In other words, they assume the conclusion which is the essence of being closed minded.
Before a great white throne.
Reading Daniel, Nehemiah, and particularly Esther, the Persians come across as strict but fair and on occasion very generous.
Look at all prophecy, consider the implications, but always be very cautious and don't get too caught up in prophecy. Remember that there are 32,000 denominations that disagree on points in the Bible, and what they mean, and they all love Jesus and He them.
Actually the 'author' of this is guilty of a monstrous anachronism- referring to returning the Jews to their 'Palestinian' homeland and the 'return to Palestine' What in the world is this guy thinking? The word Palestine is a ROMAN term (Latin:Palestina) which refers to that entire region of the Eastern end of the Mediterranaean from Anatolia in southern Turkey through Lebanon, Syria,Judera, Samaria, Jordan and Sinai The root word of course was Philistine as the Romans well knew and so named the region 'Palestine' to humiliate the Israelites as much anything but not till several hundred years later I dont believe the word 'Palestine' occurs at all in the Old Testament -certainly not in the Prophecies- so I must of ncessity question what the author has in mind here
Good point. I noticed that too and it bothered me. That region wasn't called "Palestine" until much later (than Cyrus) and "Palestine" was never the self identified name of a nation or state, but was the label applied to an entire region by outside entities, first Roman, then British. Winston Churchill was a great man, but he sure mucked it up in this one.
God would lead this monarch to “subdue nations” and “open doors” (an allusion to the Jews’ release from Babylonian captivity). He would make “rough places smooth,” i.e., accommodate the Hebrews’ return to their Palestinean homeland.
bump
thanks for the ping.
bump
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