In my last post, we explored Yerushalayim to Be Inhabited ~ Part 2 in Yesha’yahu 454:1-13. In this post, we explore Yerushalayim to Be Inhabited ~ Part 3 in Yesha’yahu 45:14-25.

¹⁴ Here is what Adonai says: “The earnings of Egypt, the commerce of Ethiopia, and men of stature from S’va will come over to you and become yours; they will come in chains and follow you. They will prostrate themselves before you; they will pray to you: ‘Surely God is with you; there is no other, other gods are nothing.’”

A significant canal was built in the Red Sea (I couldn’t resist) by the Persians during the reign of Darius I that linked the Nile cultures of Egypt and Ethiopia with Arabia (S’va). This facilitated the flow of shipping between the two continents. This verse anticipates a time when these foreign nations will recognize that Adonai is the one true God.

¹⁵ Truly, you are a God who hides Himself, God of Isra’el, Savior! ¹⁶ The idol-makers will be ashamed, disgraced, all of them; they will go dishonored together.

Shame and disgrace comes on those who trust in idols because their confidence is misplaced.

¹⁷ But Isra’el, saved by Adonai with an everlasting salvation, you will never, ever, be ashamed or disgraced.

Adonai, who raised up Cyrus as a deliverer for Isra’el, now reiterates His promise to her that she would be saved. As Sha’ul would make clear in Romans 11, Adonai is not through with Isra’el. She has a key role to play in the ages to come.

¹⁸ For thus says Adonai, who created the heavens, God, who shaped and made the earth, who established and created it not to be chaos, but formed it to be lived in: “I am Adonai; there is no other.

As we say earlier, created here in Hebrew is bara. While some of us can create things out of raw material, only Adonai can create something out of nothing.

¹⁹ I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness. I did not say to the descendants of Ya‘akov, ‘It is in vain that you will seek Me.’ I, Adonai, speak rightly; I say what is true.

While Adonai hid Himself in the sense that He is far above creation (v. 15), He pursues a relationship and makes Himself known to His creatures. Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ~ Matthew 7:7 (CJB)

Anyone who believes who asks, seeks, or knocks will indeed get the very best. It might not be what you think is best, but it is what your Father knows to be best. If I don’t ask, I’ll never know if I really did get the best. If I do ask, however, I will receive Adonai’s best. That is why it’s never vain to seek Adonai.

²⁰ Assemble, come and gather together, you refugees from the nations! Those carrying their wooden idols are ignorant, they pray to a god that cannot save.²¹ Let them stand and present their case! Indeed, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, announced it in times gone by? Wasn’t it I, Adonai? There is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior; there is none besides me.

The challenge to speak up and present your case indicates that this passage has a legal background. The issue involves the gods’ ability to reveal the future. And as we know, only Adonai can reveal the future through His prophets and written Word.

²² Look to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God; there is no other.²³ In the name of Myself I have sworn, from My mouth has rightly gone out, a word that will not return – that to Me every knee will bow and every tongue will swear ²⁴ about Me that only in Adonai are justice and strength.” All who rage against Him will come to Him ashamed, ²⁵ but all the descendants of Isra’el will find justice and glory in Adonai. ~ Isaiah 45:14-25 (CJB)

Every knee will bow and every tongue will swear, Adonai declares. Sha’ul attributes this to Yeshua in Philippians 2:10-11.

In my next post, we learn of the Gods of Bavel in Yesha’yahu 46:1-13.

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