The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 2 — Section 168

Ver. 28.-God's rights in the in,lividual. God made us, gave us breath and being. We are his, and for his UBe. He can call any man into any sphere he pleases. It ought to be true of him that he saith to one "Come," and he cometh; to another "Go," and he goeth. Every man's true attitude is figured in the attitude of the six-winged seraphim before tbe throne. "With twain he covered his face, with twain he covered his feet, and wit.h twain he did fly," or did stand ready to fly. Of every man, great and small, our God may say, " He is my under-shepherd, and shall perrorm all my pleasure." Jose]'hus has a very curious statement concerning Cyrus, which may have some basis of truth. "Now this became known to Cyrus by his reading the book which Esaias left behind him of his prophecy; for this man said that God had spoken thus to him in secret: • My will is that Cyrus,' etc. This was prophesied by Esaias one hundred and forty years before the demolition or the temple. When, therefore, Cyrus had read this, and marvelled at the divinity, a kind of impulse and ambition seized upon him to fulfil what was so written." Modem discoveries are changing our received notions respecting Cyrw;; they do not alter the fact of his having been the agent in securing the return of the exiles, but they indicate that, so far as he was concerned, his action was strictly one of state policy. The idea. that he was a pure monotheist is greatly shaken. The line of thought which may be followed can only be indicated, I. God has absolute rights over every indivirlual. II. He makes particular claims on indi,·iduals for particular services, JJI. The duty of each individual is response to the gracious claims. IV. The highest well-being of the individual lies in bis yielding all supposed individual rights, in order that he may, entirely and faithfully, meet the cl~ims of God. . Cyrus (Koresh) was required to be a shepherd, and lead Gods flock back to its old pastures. W"hatsoever we may be required to do, that must be done as unto the Lord. ·we should not want any other man's place or work. The best for us is just that one which is given to us. And the daily, lifelong, attitude which we should keep should inspire the daily prayer, "Lord, what wilt thou ha\·e me to do?" "It is the greatest honour of the greatest men to be employed for God as instruments of his favour to bis people. It was more the praise of CyrWI to be God's she_pherd than to be Empem of the Eaat."-R. T. ou. XLV. 1-26.] '!'HE BOOK OF THE PROPHET lSAIAH. li3