THE TWO-LEAVED GATE Monday:
"Thus saith the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him THE TWO LEAVES GATES; and the gates shall not be shut" (Isaiah 45:1)
The Lord promised to bring the people of God back to their land–even after He had grievously chastened them in the Babylonian captivity. He had raised up a heathen king, Nebuchadnezzar, to chasten them, referring to him as "My servant" (Jer 25:9; 27:6). Now, Isaiah declares, He will bring them back into their land through another heathen king, Cyrus. How marvelous are the ways of the Lord! Truly, "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men" (Dan 4:17). He alone is the Lord of all.
In the very first year of Cyrus' reign over Persia, "the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing." Considering this man was a heathen, with no acquaintance with the God of heaven. His "proclamation" is most intriguing. "Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and He hath charged me to build Him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all His people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up" (2 Chron 36:22-23).
Thus ends the book of Second Chronicles. As it is written, "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will" (Prov 21:1). As the Spirit says elsewhere, "how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" (Rom 11:33).
Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord informed Cyrus of His support in the assignment given to the Persian king. Cyrus is told God is holding his "right hand," subduing "the nations before him," and stripping the kings of their armor. No one will be able to stand before him. The extent of God's promises to Cyrus nearly stagger the mind. Hear Him as He speaks. "I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, am the God of Israel" (Isa 45:2-3,NKJV). Note, the point God establishes with Cyrus is that He is "the God of Israel!"
The Lord takes the matter even further, informing Cyrus that he has been blessed, even though Cyrus was unfamiliar with the Lord. "For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel Mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known Me. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me" (45:4-5). God dealt with Cyrus for Israel's sake, and not because of any goodness found in Cyrus. Nor, indeed, was Cyrus blessed because of his familiarity with God. Certainly, something to ponder.
In order for Cyrus to be used effectively in the return of Israel to their own land, God promises He would "open before him the two leaved gates." We would call them "the double doors," swinging gates, or exceedingly large gates. He adds that once opened, "the gates will not be shut." This speaks of an opportunity, especially created by the Lord, over which no opponent will have any power whatsoever.
In our text, this was done for someone that did NOT know the Lord–Cyrus. God called him by name and girded, or upheld him for the sake of His people. He opened gigantic doors before him that seemed invincible. Apart from the Lord, it simply was not possible for such an opportunity to present itself.
If this could be said to Cyrus, what can be said to those who are in Christ Jesus, who "know the Lord, from the least of them to the greatest"? What kind of doors can be opened to us for the sake of God's people? Who dares to imagine such a thing? On one occasion, Jesus spoke to the church at Philadelphia. It was a faithful church whose strength had been depleted by the opposition of those who said they were of God, but were really of Satan (Rev 3:8-9). To this steadfast church Jesus said, "I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut." And why did He grant them such a favor? "Because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name" (NASB). He would open for them, as it were, "the two leaved gates," even though their strength was small. What can the Lord do with a small and struggling people who keep his Word and do not deny His name? He can open exceedingly large double doors to them!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I long to be used mightily in Your kingdom. Open a door of opportunity for me that is suitable to the abilities you have graciously given to me.