Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Isaiah 45

Isa 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 (Jer 25:9; 27:6; 43:10). This, with the designation "My shepherd" (Isa 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 (Isa 45:1; Rev 19:19-21);
2. both are restorers of the holy city (Isa 44:28; Zec 14:1-11);
3. through both is the name of the one true God glorified (Isa 45:6; 1Co 15:28).

Isa 45:2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

make the crooked places straight

Isa 40:4.

break in pieces the gates of brass

Psa 107:16.

Isa 45:3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

that thou mayest know

Isa 41:23.

Isa 45:4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

thou hast not known me

1Th 4:5.

Isa 45:5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

there is no God beside me

Isa 44:8; 46:9; Deu 4:35, 39; 32:39.

Isa 45:6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.

from the rising of the sun, and from the west

Isa 37:20; Psa 102:15; Mal 1:11.

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

create

Amo 3:6.

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.

Isa 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it

Isa 29:16; Jer 18:6; Rom 9:20.

Isa 45:11 Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

my sons

Jer 31:9.

Isa 45:14 Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.

merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans

Psa 68:31; 72:10, 11; Isa 49:23; 60:9, 10, 14, 16; Zec 8:22, 23.

Isa 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

Israel shall be saved

Isa 45:25; Isa 26:4; Rom 11:26.

Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Look unto me

Psa 22:27; 65:5.

Isa 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

I have sworn by myself

Gen 22:16; Heb 6:13.

every knee shall bow

Rom 14:11; Phl 2:10.