On the Third Day of this week for the Spirit of Counsel we read in Isaiah 45.  Today we will go back there and discover some more truths that YHVH gave to Cyrus in order to set the children of Israel free from captivity when the time was up.  According to the patterns, we, too, are nearing the end of our exile; so gaining the knowledge we need through the pages of Scripture of how our Elohim works in the lives of His people, will build our faith and give us insight to know how to respond, because He never changes!!

Isaiah 45:1-7 says,

​​1 Thus says YHVH to Cyrus His anointed, whom I have taken by the right hand, to subdue nations before him and to loose the loins of kings; to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

2 “I [YHVH] will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I [YHVH] will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.[Give access and freedom] The IVP Commentary says, “The Greek historian Herodotus described Babylon as having “one hundred gates in the circuit of the wall, all of bronze with bronze uprights and lintels.” Large bronze gates have been excavated at the Assyrian period site of Balawat, giving a glimpse of what the Babylonian walls may have been like. Gates were locked by means of a bar slid across the gateway, and iron would obviously be the most difficult to break. With this knowledge we can better know what YHVH was telling Cyrus about the victory that He would give to him.  It won’t be his own strength, but by YHVH’s power.

3 “I [YHVH] will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, so that you may know that it is I, YHVH, the Elohim of Israel, who calls you by your name.

4 “For the sake of Jacob My servant, and Israel My chosen one, I [YHVH] have also called you by your name; I have given you a title of honor though you have not known Me.

5 “I am YHVH, and there is no other; besides Me there is no Elohim. I [YHVH] will gird you, though you have not known Me;

6 That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I am YHVH, and there is no other,

7 The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am YHVH who does all these. [YHVH is in control of it all. We need not fear!!]

Acts 17:22-23 says, “22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance [without knowledge], this I proclaim to you.”

Cyrus was girded for the battle though he did not know YHVH yet; and in Psalm 18:39 we read of David, who did know YHVH, that he was also girded with strength for the battle. YHVH always equips those He has chosen for the task at hand, “For You have girded me with strength for battle; You have  subdued under me those who rose up against me.”

May our hearts be convinced today and receive from the Spirit of Knowledge that our Creator IS in control and equips for every situation that we will encounter.  May we not lean into our own understanding, but always allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into all knowledge.

Have a blessed and shalom filled preparation day!!!

Tammy

 Courtesy of

River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a