Isaiah 44:28 – “Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.”’”

An Extended Explanation of the Verse

Isaiah 44:28 is remarkable because it names Cyrus, a future Persian ruler, as God’s chosen instrument to fulfill His plans. God calls Cyrus “my shepherd,” a term usually reserved for leaders like King David, emphasizing Cyrus’s role in carrying out God’s will. Specifically, Cyrus will decree the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple, which had been destroyed during the Babylonian exile. This prophecy highlights God’s sovereignty in using even foreign rulers to accomplish His purposes. By naming Cyrus long before his birth, this verse demonstrates God’s foreknowledge and His control over history.

Historical Context

This prophecy was given about 150 years before Cyrus’s rise to power. At the time of Isaiah’s writing, Judah was still intact, but the Babylonian exile and the destruction of Jerusalem were on the horizon. Later, in 539 BC, Cyrus conquered Babylon and issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-4). Isaiah’s prophecy would have been a source of hope for the exiles, reminding them that God was in control and had a plan for their restoration.

Theological Implications

1. God’s Sovereignty: This verse shows that God is in control of all rulers and nations, directing history according to His purposes.
2. God’s Faithfulness: By foretelling Cyrus’s role, God reassures His people of His commitment to their restoration and the fulfillment of His promises.
3. God’s Use of Unlikely Instruments: Cyrus was a pagan king, yet God used him as a shepherd for His people, showing that God can work through anyone to accomplish His will.

This verse teaches that God’s plans are unstoppable and that He can use any person or situation to bring about His purposes.

Literary Analysis

Isaiah 44:28 uses vivid language and specific details to emphasize God’s control over history. The title “my shepherd” conveys care and guidance, while the specific mention of rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple makes the prophecy concrete and verifiable. The phrase “will accomplish all that I please” highlights God’s authority, reinforcing the idea that Cyrus’s actions are ultimately under God’s direction. This combination of imagery and specificity underscores the power and reliability of God’s word.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

1. Ezra 1:1-4 – “In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia… the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: ‘This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.'”
2. Proverbs 21:1 – “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.”
3. Isaiah 45:1 – “This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him.”
4. Daniel 2:21 – “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”

These verses reinforce the themes of God’s sovereignty over rulers and His faithfulness to His promises.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

For Christians today, Isaiah 44:28 is a reminder that God is in control of all events and leaders, even those who may not acknowledge Him. It encourages believers to trust in God’s plan, knowing that He can work through any person or situation to accomplish His purposes. This verse also challenges Christians to look for how God is working in unexpected ways and to trust His timing and sovereignty.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse demonstrates God’s love through His faithfulness to His people. Despite their unfaithfulness, God planned their restoration and used a foreign ruler to bring it about. By orchestrating events for their return and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, God showed His commitment to His covenant and His desire to restore His people to a place of worship and relationship with Him.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Cyrus is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate Shepherd and the one who brings about God’s plan of redemption. Just as Cyrus made a way for the exiles to return and rebuild the temple, Jesus makes a way for humanity to return to God and restores the relationship broken by sin. In John 10:11, Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd,” emphasizing His role in guiding and caring for His people. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus fulfills God’s promises and establishes a new and lasting temple—not made with hands but in the hearts of His followers (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does this verse encourage you to trust in God’s sovereignty over the events in your life?
2. What are some ways you’ve seen God work through unexpected people or situations?
3. How does God’s faithfulness to His promises in this verse give you hope for your own challenges?
4. In what ways does Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, guide and restore you?
5. How can you share this message of God’s faithfulness and sovereignty with others who may feel uncertain about the future?

Isaiah 44:28 reminds us of God’s sovereignty and faithfulness, showing how He can use even the most unlikely people to accomplish His purposes. It points us to Jesus Christ, the ultimate Shepherd, who restores and rebuilds our relationship with God through His life, death, and resurrection.