This chapter is written to Israel and to all nations that they may know that God is “the LORD, and there is none else.”  He demonstrates his uniqueness in a variety of ways in this chapter.  He is the ONE who:

Raises up Kings – Is 45:1-5 – He raised up Cyrus and even called him by name nearly 200 years before his reign.  He used him to subdue nations [v.1], he gave him a supernatural advantage over other nations [v.2] and he gave him the treasures of darkness and the hidden riches of secret places [v.3; Jer 50:35-37; 51:11-13 in the defeat of Babylon (Hitler had vast riches hidden in Berchtesgaden)].  He did this for Israel’s sake [v.4, 13, Ezra 1] and for the sake of all nations [v.6] that they might know “I am the LORD, and there is none else.”  Notice: Cyrus didn’t know the Lord at first [v.4, 5 – like Pharaoh in Ex 5:2] but he came to know him [Ezra 1:2-3].

Forms light, creates darkness, makes peace and creates evil – Is 45:7 – light [Gen 1:3; 1 Jn 1:5]; darkness [not the absence of light Job 38:19; Is 60:2; Ex 10:21-23; Joel 2:2; Rev 16:10] – peace [Is 9:6-7; Rom 5:1]; evil [Prov 16:4; Jer 25:9; Is 36:10; Rom 9:17] this is why you are not to revile the ruler of thy people; the Lord may have put him there.

Regenerates and restores everything – Is 45:8-12 – he created it all [v.12, 18] – and he will regenerate it in righteousness and salvation [v.8; Rom 8:18-23] – therefore, woe unto him that striveth with his Maker [v.9-10] – trust him and let him do with you what he knows best.

Performs his work with Israel – Is 45:11, 13-14, 17, 25 – He rebuilds Jerusalem [v.13] under Cyrus and under Jesus in the millennium – he frees the captives [v.13] under Cyrus and under Jesus – he exalts Israel [v.14] under Jesus because God is in them [Ezek 48:35; Zech 8:20-23] – he saves Israel [v.17] under Jesus [Rom 11:25-26] – he justifies and glorifies Israel [v.25; Rom 8:29-30].

Declares his work beforehand – Is 45:18-21 – hence when it comes to pass everyone will know that it was he.  Right now “they” question the authorship and authenticity of the prophecies [i.e. they say that the ‘prophecies’ were written after the fulfillment].  But when he fulfills 500 more prophecies at the Second Advent there will be no more doubt!!

Conclusion: in addition to all of these, he hides [Is 45:15-16] unlike idols, so that we’ll seek him and be saved [Is 45:22-24; Acts 17:27-28].