The ancient Persian king named Cyrus (d. 530 BC) unexpectedly made the news a few years ago when some American Christians invoked his name to explain their support for a particular political figure. They admitted this leader knew nothing of Christian faith or morals, but they argued that he nevertheless served God and God’s people—much as the pagan King Cyrus did for the people of Israel, as recorded in the Bible. In other words, very flawed people can do good things. 

Indeed, Cyrus is remembered in the Bible as the pagan king who allowed the exiles from Israel to return to the land of Israel and even commissioned the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. The prophet Isaiah is so excited by Cyrus’s deeds that he proclaims Cyrus as “anointed” by God (Isaiah 45:1) even though Cyrus knows nothing of the God of Israel. 

Isaiah’s praise of Cyrus hints at a remarkable development in the faith of Israel. It was in these years that Israel began to understand Yahweh not only as the god of the tribe of Israel but as the God of the whole universe, working in mysterious ways through various nations and peoples to accomplish God’s purposes.

Isaiah’s aim in praising Cyrus was not to normalize Cyrus’s beliefs or minimize his deficiencies but instead to recognize that God worked through this pagan king’s virtues—his self-control, wisdom, magnanimity, and foresight. Cyrus was in fact one of the most enlightened statesman of his age. He abolished forced labor and created the world’s first postal system. He fashioned a stable empire in which local customs and minority religious practices—like those of the Jews—were tolerated.

As believers in the One God, the people of Israel were beginning to recognize that the gifts of the Holy Spirit can be manifested even among people who don’t yet know God’s name or understand God’s purposes; these people too can serve God.

For that reason, we give thanks for such gifts whenever and wherever they appear, for they are signs of God’s grace and faithfulness. Recognizing these gifts among people who don’t share our own faith is part of living faithfully and honestly in a pluralistic world as believers in the One God, ruler of heaven and earth.

See you in church,

Pastor David