The Other

As we turn our attention to Isaiah 45-47, we come across an unusual story.  In Isaiah 45:1-13, we see God call a king named Cyrus to success.  He calls this king to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and encourage the exiles back to their land.

Conquering kingdoms tended to have one of two different styles of domination.  One style was to conquer a land, subjugate them to your will, let them live as they want, but collect a tribute from the land.  The Romans had this approach to Judea until 70 AD. The second approach was to conquer and assimilate the conquered people into the new culture and religion of the conquerors.  The Babylonians were this type of conqueror.  They wanted assimilation.  Cyrus was a Persian and he sought to restore exiled peoples to their homelands and religions.  So, when Cyrus conquered Babylon, he gave a decree for Jerusalem to be restored (Ezra 1:1, 2 Chronicles 36:23).  Cyrus was not a Jew, but was used by God.

I want you to list out the non-Hebrew people who God used to accomplish His will with Israel.  Some of these will work with God and some God used their rebellious nature.  Think about their stories (Balaam, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Ruth, Rahab, etc.)

What does it say about God that He used non-Hebrew people to accomplish His will?

How do we view people today who are outside of Christianity?  Do we believe that God is at work in their lives?

This week, try to view others around you as uniquely loved by God, and that God is working a plan in their lives.