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1. Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;2. I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:3. And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.4. For Jacob my servant's sake, an Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. 5. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God besides me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me.Isaiah 45:1-5 Cyrus the great, appointed and prepared by God, to save His people. Cyrus was a Persian born 590 BC, a man who ruled with wisdom. To the Jews he was a gentle king, to God, he was His instrument. God opened doors that could not be shut, and revealed treasures that had been hidden from the sun. To reveal Himself to Cyrus, that He alone is the God of Israel, no other. All this for His servant Jacob's sake. God called Cyrus by name, even though he did not know the Lord. Adversity is an opportunity for God to show His power. And this power brought God's captive people back to Jerusalem. From the rising, to the setting sun, from east to west, there is no God, just the God of Israel. From the forming of light out of darkness, the Lord God can do all things. The salvation of Israel is safe, for they abide under the shadow of God. Amen.