In Isaiah, forty-four, verse twenty-eight, “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 the servant identifies Cyrus by name as the very one who would initiate the release of God’s people from captivity. This prophecy was made one hundred and fifty years before its fulfillment. Cyrus issued a decree permitting God’s people to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their city and temple, as in Ezra one, verses one to two, “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, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.” God so ordered events in the birth of Cyrus and life that God’s own plans and purposes were fulfilled to the letter.
This theme connects with chapter forty-one, verse two, “Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? He gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.” Over one hundred and fifty years before the birth of Cyrus, Isaiah foresaw that God would raise a man to do His will by conquering the nations and protecting God’s country. Cyrus was called righteous not because of himself, but by carrying out God’s righteous plan of redemption.