“I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treads clay.” – Isaiah 41:25
Bible Verses About Cyrus The Great
The Calling of Cyrus
When we look into the life and calling of Cyrus the Great, we see a remarkable example of how God can use anyone for His divine purposes. As believers, we are encouraged to recognize that God can rise up leaders and influencers from unexpected places to fulfill His plans. Cyrus, a Persian king, was chosen by God to bring Israel back from captivity and to rebuild the Temple. This story shows us how God’s sovereignty operates, even through secular leaders, and reminds us of the importance of being open to the ways God might call leaders into being. Like Cyrus, we too can be called to something significant, even if we may not fit the mold or expectations of the world.
Isaiah 44:28
“That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.” – Isaiah 44:28
Isaiah 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.” – Isaiah 45:1
Isaiah 45:13
“I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts.” – Isaiah 45:13
Ezra 1:1
“Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,” – Ezra 1:1
2 Chronicles 36:23
“Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The Lord his God be with him, and let him go up.” – 2 Chronicles 36:23
Cyrus as a Shepherd
In the Scriptures, we often see leaders compared to shepherds, guiding their people with care and wisdom. Cyrus is referred to as a shepherd chosen by God, which highlights the responsibility of leaders to protect and lead their people towards restoration. Just as a shepherd knows their sheep and leads them gently, we, too, must take our roles as leaders seriously—whether in our homes, communities, or workplaces. It encourages us to reflect on how we can embody the qualities of a good shepherd. By being attentive to the needs of others and fostering a spirit of unity and healing, we can positively impact the lives around us.
Isaiah 40:11
“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” – Isaiah 40:11
Ezekiel 34:11
“For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.” – Ezekiel 34:11
John 10:14
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” – John 10:14
Psalm 23:1
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” – Psalm 23:1
Jeremiah 3:15
“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” – Jeremiah 3:15
The Prophecy Regarding Cyrus
Prophecy plays an integral role in the story of Cyrus the Great. God declared Cyrus’s role much before he was even born, proving that His plans are always set in motion, preparing the way for leaders to fulfill His will. This serves as a reminder to us of God’s omnipotence and how He orchestrates events for His glory. The foretold assurances provided to the Israelites through these prophecies give us hope that God is ultimately in control, even when the world seems chaotic. With every promise from God, we can find comfort and encouragement to trust in His divine timeline as we wait for answers in our own lives.
Isaiah 45:4
“For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel my elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.” – Isaiah 45:4
Isaiah 46:10
“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” – Isaiah 46:10
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Isaiah 48:3
“I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass.” – Isaiah 48:3
Daniel 2:21
“And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.” – Daniel 2:21
Cyrus and God’s Sovereignty
The story of Cyrus the Great beautifully illustrates God’s sovereignty over all creation. Despite being a ruler from a foreign nation, God used Cyrus’s authority to fulfill His promises to Israel. This lesson brings us immense comfort because it assures us that God governs all nations and rulers according to His perfect will. As we witness events unfold in our lives and even on a global scale, we should never lose sight of God’s eternal authority. Whether we face challenges or victory, we can rest in the assurance that God is always working things out for our good. This reassurance encourages us to keep faith during times of uncertainty.
Psalm 22:28
“For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations.” – Psalm 22:28
Proverbs 21:1
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” – Proverbs 21:1
Romans 13:1
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” – Romans 13:1
Psalm 103:19
“The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.” – Psalm 103:19
Isaiah 45:7
“I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.” – Isaiah 45:7
Cyrus, a Tool for Restoration
Cyrus’s leadership was an instrument for restoration, allowing the Israelites to return from exile and rebuild their lives. This aspect of his reign is important for us to embrace as we think about our own roles in fostering restoration around us. We live in a world that greatly needs healing, whether it be in our families, communities, or even within ourselves. Each of us has the power to effect positive change and help others rebuild what has been lost. It reminds us to take action in our lives, showing love and kindness to those around us and supporting one another toward healing, much like Cyrus did for the Israelites.
Isaiah 60:10
“And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favor have I had mercy on thee.” – Isaiah 60:10
Nehemiah 2:5
“And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my father’s sepulchers, that I may build it.” – Nehemiah 2:5
Isaiah 61:4
“And they shall build the old waste places, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.” – Isaiah 61:4
Zechariah 1:16
“Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.” – Zechariah 1:16
Micah 4:10
“Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered: there the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.” – Micah 4:10
The Legacy of Cyrus
The legacy of Cyrus the Great reminds us that true leadership is about service and fulfilling a greater purpose. His actions led to the return of God’s people, and although he was not an Israelite, he played a significant role in God’s plan. This serves as an important lesson for us; our influence should aspire to be a blessing to others, not just for our glory. When we look to leave a legacy behind, may it be one that encourages others to find hope and restoration in Christ. This aspect of our lives urges us to pursue acts of kindness, generosity, and love in every area we touch so we can both honor God and impact those around us positively.
Proverbs 4:7
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7
Matthew 5:14
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” – Matthew 5:14
Philippians 2:15
“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;” – Philippians 2:15
2 Corinthians 5:20
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:20
Colossians 3:23
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” – Colossians 3:23
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the life of Cyrus the Great opens our eyes to how God works through various means to fulfill His purpose. As we learned through his calling and actions, it is a wonderful reminder that we can be instruments of restoration and light in our own communities. Our lives can impact others significantly, just as Cyrus impacted the Israelites.
We must embrace our roles as leaders and shepherds in our families and communities with compassion and dedication. By fostering a spirit of unity, we can help each other rebuild and grow stronger together in faith. It is a privilege to be part of God’s plan, and we should strive to carry out His purpose faithfully.
As we continue to explore more about faith and scripture, let’s stay open to how God can use us. Together, we can shine as beacons of hope and walk confidently in His promises, just as Cyrus did. For more insights, consider exploring what the Scriptures say in Isaiah 41:9-10 and Isaiah 44:28.