A prophecy written two centuries before its fulfillment (10 mins.)
Dear brothers and sisters, let's imagine for a moment that someone were to write down today the name of a ruler who, 200 years from now, will defeat a world power, change the course of history, and liberate a captive people. Would we think that was possible? Humanly speaking, no. Yet that is exactly what happened with a prophecy recorded in the Bible.
Today we will analyze an impressive piece of evidence that Jehovah directs history: a prophecy written almost two centuries before its fulfillment.
The rivers of Babylon would dry up (Is 44:27; gm 123, 124 pars. 16, 17).
In 539 BCE, Babylon was the dominant world power. It was an imposing city, surrounded by massive walls that seemed impossible to breach. Furthermore, the great Euphrates River flowed through the city and formed an essential part of its defensive system. From a human perspective, Babylon was unconquerable.
LET'S READ ISAIAH 44:27
“I am the one who says to the deep waters, ‘Vaporize. I will dry up all your rivers.’”
Jehovah had announced well in advance what would happen. Isaiah prophesied that the waters would dry up. That statement might have seemed strange. How could such a mighty river, which protected such a powerful city, dry up?
History provides the answer. The Greek historian Herodotus explained that Cyrus, the Persian ruler, diverted the Euphrates River into an artificial lake that had been previously excavated. By lowering the water level, the riverbed became shallow enough for soldiers to walk across. Thus, while the city celebrated in confidence, the invading army entered from where no one expected it.
In this amazing way the prophecy was fulfilled. What seemed impossible from a human standpoint was easy for Jehovah. This teaches us an important lesson: no human power can thwart God's purposes.
A conqueror—who would be called Cyrus—would act as God's “shepherd” (Isa 44:28a; it “Cyrus” par. 7).
But the prophecy didn't just speak of the method of conquest. It was even more specific. Isaiah mentioned the conqueror by name: Cyrus.
Let's think about this. When Isaiah wrote those words, Cyrus hadn't even been born yet. It would be more than a hundred years before he came to power. Even so, Jehovah declared that a man named Cyrus would act as his “shepherd” and carry out His will.
LET'S READ ISAIAH 44:28a
“I am the one who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd and will fulfill my will completely.’”
Isaiah 44:28 calls Cyrus “my shepherd,” and in Isaiah 45:1 he is called Jehovah’s “anointed.” This did not mean that Cyrus was part of God’s people or that he was a faithful servant in a spiritual sense. Rather, it indicated that Jehovah would use him to accomplish a specific purpose.
Furthermore, Isaiah 45:4 shows that Jehovah called him “by his name.” This does not mean that God gave him that name at birth, but rather that He knew in advance that a ruler with that name would arise and appointed him beforehand to fulfill His will.
What powerful proof of Jehovah’s foreknowledge! He can announce the future with absolute accuracy. As Romans 4:17 says, God “calls into being things that are not.”
For us today, this strengthens our faith. If Jehovah could so accurately foretell the rise of Cyrus and the fall of Babylon, he will also fulfill all his future promises.
Cyrus would allow God's people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city and the temple (Ezr 1:1-3; Isa 44:28b; it “Cyrus” par. 17).
The primary purpose of this conquest was not simply to replace one world power with another. Something far more important was at stake: the liberation of God's people.
The Jews had been exiled in Babylon for decades. Jerusalem was in ruins, and the temple had been destroyed. Humanly speaking, there was no hope of restoration.
LET'S READ EZRA 1:1-3
“In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, Jehovah moved King Cyrus of Persia to issue a decree throughout his kingdom to fulfill the words of Jehovah spoken through Jeremiah. The decree, which he also put in writing, said: 2“This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: ‘Jehovah, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. 3Those of you who are part of his people, may your God be with you, and go up to Jerusalem in Judah and rebuild the house of Jehovah, the God of Israel. He is the true God, whose house was in Jerusalem.’”
As prophesied, Cyrus adopted a markedly different policy from that of previous rulers. Instead of oppressing conquered peoples, he allowed them to return to their lands.
According to Ezra 1:7-11, Cyrus returned the sacred temple vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken to Babylon. He authorized the rebuilding of the temple and allowed the use of royal funds to cover the expenses. He also facilitated the importation of cedar wood from Lebanon.
Even historical records such as the Cyrus Cylinder confirm that this ruler had the custom of returning conquered peoples to their lands and restoring their places of worship.
LET'S READ ISAIAH 44:28b
“He who says of Jerusalem, ‘It will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundations will be laid.’”
Thus the prophecy was fulfilled exactly: the people returned to Jerusalem and began the reconstruction of the city and the temple.
Illustration
In the picture in our activity guide, we see Cyrus's soldiers resolutely crossing the Euphrates River, the water barely reaching mid-thigh. Most striking is that, when they look up, the massive gates of Babylon—which should have been closed—are wide open. The soldiers enter the city without having to tear down a single wall, just as Jehovah had foretold two centuries earlier.
Conclusion
When we analyze this prophecy, written almost two centuries before its fulfillment, we see something extraordinary. It is not simply ancient history. It is powerful evidence that the Bible is inspired by God.
Jehovah foretold the fall of a world power, the method by which it would be conquered, the name of the conqueror, and the purpose of that conquest: to liberate his people. Everything came to pass exactly as predicted.
What does this mean for us? It means we can fully trust Jehovah. Just as he kept his word in the past, he will keep all his promises for the future. No obstacle is too great for him. No human power can thwart his will.
May this awesome prophecy strengthen our faith and motivate us to continue trusting in the God who not only knows the future, but directs it for the well-being of his people.
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