Isaiah 45 · Grade 5

Shall the Clay Question the Potter?

Name Date

Read and Think

Isaiah 45 is the only place in the Old Testament where a non-Israelite king is called God's "anointed" (Hebrew mashiach). Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon in 539 BC, and Ezra 1 records his decree to rebuild the temple. God's purpose is stated three times: that Cyrus would know, that Israel would be served, and that the whole world would know "there is no one besides me." The famous line "I form the light and create darkness. I make peace and create calamity" declares God's sovereignty over all events, against Persian dualism that taught two equal powers of good and evil.

Verses 9-13 answer objections with two images: clay questioning the potter and a child questioning its parents. God's choices are not open to his creatures' veto. Paul uses the potter image in Romans 9:20-21 in the New Testament. Yet God's rule is not random: he "didn't create it a waste" but "formed it to be inhabited," and he did not speak "in a place of the land of darkness."

The climax is universal: "Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth." God swears an oath by himself "that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath." In the New Testament, Paul quotes this in Romans 14:11 and applies it to Christ in Philippians 2:10-11. The chapter closes, "All the offspring of Israel will be justified in Yahweh, and will rejoice!"

Show What You Know

What is unique about Cyrus being called God's anointed?
What belief does verse 7 counter?
Where does Paul use the potter image?
Where does Paul quote verse 23?

Crossword

Across

Israel will be ____ by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation.
I form the ____ and create darkness.
In a place of the land of ____.

Down

The God who formed the ____ and made it.
For Yahweh who created the ____.

Think About It

God works even through people who do not know Him. How should that affect how we see world leaders and events?
God swore that every knee would bow. How does this promise give hope for the future?

Memory Verse

“I have sworn by myself. The word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not be revoked, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.”

Isaiah 45:23 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for saving all who look to You. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

All of Israel's offspring would glory in God. How can you boast in God rather than yourself?
How does knowing God rules over all calm you?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?