Isaiah 45:13

13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and will level all roads for him. He will rebuild My city, and set My exiles free, not for a price or a bribe," says the Lord of Hosts.

Isaiah 45:13 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 45:13

I have raised him up in righteousness
Though this may be said with some respect to Cyrus, yet chiefly to Christ, of whom Cyrus was a type; him the Lord appointed and determined to be the Saviour and Redeemer of his people; him he sent forth in time for that purpose, in righteousness or faithfulness to concerning him: or, "unto righteousness" ^F19, as the Vulgate Latin version; to bring in an everlasting righteousness for the justification of his people: or, "with righteousness", as the Septuagint version is ^F20: I have raised him up a King with righteousness;
a righteous King, a King that reigns in righteousness, as Christ does, and better agrees with him than Cyrus; see ( Jeremiah 23:5 Jeremiah 23:6 ) : and I will direct all his ways;
or "make them plain" ^F21; remove all difficulties and obstructions out of his way; he shall succeed and prosper, as the "pleasure of the Lord did prosper" in the hands of Christ; God being at his right hand as man and Mediator, to direct, counsel, and assist him, and to make him successful: he shall build my city;
not Cyrus, for he did not build the city of Jerusalem, whatever orders he might give for it, ( Isaiah 44:28 ) though his proclamation only mentions the temple, ( Ezra 1:2-5 ) , but Christ, the builder of the church, often compared to a city, and called the city of God, of which the saints are fellow citizens; and which is built by Christ, upon himself the Rock, against which the gates of hell cannot prevail, ( Matthew 16:18 ) : and he shall let go my captives, not for price, nor reward, saith the
Lord of hosts;
the Lord's people are captives to sin, Satan, and the law; Christ has not only redeemed these captives, but has proclaimed liberty to them, and delivered them from their bondage by his Spirit and grace; and all this freely, not through any merits of theirs, but of his own rich grace and mercy; and though they are redeemed with a price; yet not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ; and whatever their redemption and freedom cost him, it costs them nothing, it is to them without money and without price, ( Isaiah 52:3 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 (qdub) "adjustitiam", V. L.
F20 (meta dikaiosunhv) , Sept. "cum justitia", Forerius.
F21 (rvya) "aequabo", Piscator; "aequaturus", Junius & Tremellius; "rectificabo", Vatablus; "rectificabam", Cocceius; "aequas faciam", Vitringa.

Isaiah 45:13 In-Context

11 This is what the Lord, the Holy One of Israel and its Maker, says: "Ask Me what is to happen to My sons, and instruct Me about the work of My hands.

12 I made the earth, and created man on it. It was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.

13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and will level all roads for him. He will rebuild My city, and set My exiles free, not for a price or a bribe," says the Lord of Hosts.

14 This is what the Lord says: The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush and the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you and will be yours; they will follow you, they will come over in chains; and bow down to you. They will confess to you: God is indeed with you, and there is no other; there is no other God.

15 Yes, You are a God who hides Himself, God of Israel, Savior.