This chapter is an encouragement for the people of Jerusalem for when they would be in exile in Babylon. The amazing thing though, is that Isaiah is prophesying about 700 BC and that exile would start about 100 years later in 608 BC. What is even more wonderful is that Isaiah is prophesying here about King Cyrus, the great ruler stirred up from the east (v2), who would not come to power until 559 BC.

This prophesy about Cyrus (v1-6) is there to encourage God’s people that no matter what is happening the Lord is in control and He is working out His purposes through this new king who arises.

In light of God’s controlling power and goodness, the people of God are encouraged to “fear not” (v10, 14) and surrounding these words are great statements about God’s care for His people (v10-20).

The message about Cyrus and the message about God’s care leads up to the climax of the chapter which is to attack the whole idea of worshipping  idols (v21-29) who cannot care for the people and who cannot predict the future. Why then have the people of Judah been so foolish so as to reject the Lord for such dumb and useless idols. And how foolish are we when we worship other idols and place our hope in other things other than the Lord.