Peter Misselbrook's Blog

Oct 10 2019 - Isaiah 44:24-45:13 – Cyrus God's servant

Today's reading introduces us to another individual who is serving the Lord and fulfilling his purposes. Though not explicitly called "the servant of the Lord", he is described in some surprising terms. He is called the Lord's "shepherd" (44: 28) and the Lord's "anointed" (45:1) – literally his messiah. And yet this is none other than Cyrus, the military leader of the mighty Persian Empire.

The Lord is declaring that he is sovereign over all of history and is raising up Cyrus and the Persian empire to defeat Babylon and to become his instrument in setting his people free from their captivity. Cyrus is quite unaware of this calling and is simply pursuing his own agenda to secure power for himself. But, in reality, he is accomplishing the purposes of God at this particular moment. The Lord has determined that Jerusalem will again be inhabited and the ruins of Judah will be rebuilt (44:26), and Cyrus is the man he has raised up to accomplish his purposes:

He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please;
he will say of Jerusalem, ‘Let it be rebuilt,’
    and of the temple, ‘Let its foundations be laid. (44:28)

God called the kings of his people to be shepherds to those they governed, to lead them with tender care reflecting that of God himself. But they had failed to live up to their calling (remember particularly Ezekiel 34). Now the Lord is going to use a pagan emperor to shepherd his people. Having defeated the power of their captors, Cyrus will allow God's people to return to Jerusalem and Judea (see Ezra 1), and to begin the work of reconstruction. The victory of Cyrus is not all his own work; the Lord had chosen him to fulfil his purposes (this is what is meant by him being called the Lord's anointed). Unbeknown to Cyrus himself, the Lord has taken hold of his fighting right hand:

to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armour,
to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut (45:1)

The Lord has gone before him to give him victory, levelling mountains, breaking down gates of bronze and cutting through bars of iron (45:2). He has done all of this for the sake of his people:

For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honour,
    though you do not acknowledge me. (45:4)

By these acts, the Lord demonstrates that he is the great creator God who is sovereign over all of human history. Isaiah's words in 45:9-10 are later echoed by Paul in Romans 9:19-21 as part of his argument that God is at work through all the twists and turns of human history to accomplish his purpose of bringing salvation to all peoples on earth.

How do you respond to the assertion that God is in sovereign control of all of human history? This does not mean that we are nothing but puppets manipulated by God. In a mysterious way we, like Cyrus, remain free to pursue our own ends, even to rebel against God – as did those who so hated our Saviour that they handed him over to die upon a Roman cross. But God was at work even, and perhaps especially, through that wicked act (see Acts 2:23-24). And God is still at work for our good and our salvation through the daily events which impact our lives: "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Nothing can "separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:39).

Almighty God, there are truths here that are beyond our understanding. But we thank you that you have not abandoned this world to the plans and power of evil people. We praise you that you are at work through all of human history to accomplish your purposes and to save for yourself a people from every nation on earth. Help us to serve your purposes with a willing and grateful heart.

Oct 10 2020 - Hebrews 6:1-20 – An anchor for the soul

The passage that we are reading this morning contains some wonderfully encouraging images. The letter is written to encourage Hebrew Christians to go on following Jesus and not to think of turning back. Go on so that "what you hope for may be fully realized" (Hebrews 6:11). Hope focuses on the goal set before us and provides the energy to press on towards the goal even when the going is tough.

The Christian's hope is not mere fancy or make-believe; it rests upon the promise of God. Remember, says our author, how God dealt with Abraham. God promised that he would bless him and give him many descendants (6:14). And, "to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear ... he confirmed it with an oath" (6:17). God not only promised blessing to Abraham, he also bound himself by oath to fulfil his own promise; his own character and reputation is tied up with the fulfilment of his promise. Abraham could trust God, even in the difficult days when it seemed unlikely that his promise would be fulfilled.

God has done the same for us in our Lord Jesus. Jesus has been made our great high priest, the one through whom many children will be brought to glory (2:10). God has gone on oath concerning Jesus (see 7:21 quoting Psalm 110:4). God's character, purpose and reputation are tied up with the person and work of Jesus. If Jesus should fail in the mission given to him, God would turn out to be a liar. It's quite unthinkable; it’s quite impossible.

Having laid this foundation, our author now uses two wonderful images. This hope we have in Christ, he says, is "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf" (4:19-20). Our hope is fixed in Jesus who has entered glory on our behalf. We have been inseparably joined to him in the promise and purpose of God who has made him our great high priest and mediator. We may face all manner of storms and troubles, but this anchor for the soul remains firm and secure. This anchor will ensure that we are not swept away to destruction for it rests in Jesus Christ and in his unshakable throne in glory. Hope in Jesus is an "anchor for the soul."

The second wonderful image is mixed in with the first; Jesus is our "forerunner." The picture is taken from ancient warfare. After a notable victory the "forerunner" would be sent from the battle to run back to the home city to proclaim the victory and declare that the rest of the troops would soon be returning safe home. Jesus is our forerunner; he has won a notable victory and has returned to glory on our behalf. His return includes the proclamation that those who belong to him will soon be following him; they also will be brought safely home.

Jesus' presence in glory is the guarantee that we who hope in him will one day be with him. The very character and reputation of God depend upon it. May this secure hope keep us faithful in following Jesus.

Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you that he became like us that he might conquer death and enter glory on our behalf. Thank you for his perfect obedience. We thank you for the promises you have made to him and which are made to us in him. Help us to set our hope upon him as the anchor for our soul that we might not be swept off course in the storms of life. Help us to follow him faithfully that where our forerunner has gone on our behalf we may also arrive safely. By your Spirit, enable us to be greatly encouraged in following him.

Peter Misselbrook