Isaiah 44:28
“Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure,’ even saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be built;’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’””
What does Isaiah 44:28 mean?
God is speaking through Isaiah about Cyrus, the Persian king who would later allow the Jewish people to return from exile and rebuild their temple. This passage is remarkable because it names Cyrus by name generations before he was even born, showing God's complete knowledge of the future and his control over history. The word "shepherd" describes Cyrus as someone who would guide and care for God's people during their most vulnerable time. Though Cyrus himself wasn't a believer in the God of Israel, God used him as an instrument to fulfill his promises, demonstrating that God's purposes move forward whether or not people realize they're part of his plan.