Jesus in the Old Testament is a series of posts that will offer my readers a chance to consider pictures or shadows of Jesus in the Old Testament. As mentioned in the introduction to this series, some may be obvious, some may be not so obvious, and some may simply be a facet of the Lord those reading may not have considered previously.

I hope as we venture through this series, we will see the Lord in many wonderful pictures throughout the Old Testament.

How could a relatively unknown character such as Cyrus carry so many similarities to the Lord.

As a brief reminder, Cyrus has been described in the Old Testament in the following ways

• Anointed One
• Chosen
• Shepherd
• Liberator by peace
• Temple Builder
• Undefeatable
• Light for the Nations
• Man of God’s Counsel
• Loved by God
• Free Salvation
• Identified

This post will consider Cyrus as one especially equipped by God.

To be equipped by God is often associated with the weapons of warfare, with the tools to wage battle. This is a common refrain through the Old Testament.

Psalm 18:39 For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me.

Cyrus was a leader of men who needed resources and the resources were supplied by a God he did not know. Victory after victory, Cyrus continued vanquishing the surrounding nations, having strength and might provided by God. His abilities to dominate over the nations were due to provided by the Lord, abilities that far exceeded the material goods that were required, but I imagine included the wisdom of strategy for each battle, the timing and execution of well laid out plans, the coordination of his generals in bringing a united front, and the manner he oversaw those he vanquished.

Few men have performed the accomplishments of Cyrus, and treated the vanquished in the way Cyrus did. He established a kingdom that was a world power. In the campaigns of defeating others and in the subsequent reigning over each people group, God equipped him with the tools, talents and endurance required for such a task.

Cyrus built a world power, equipped by God, only to have the power taken over by others. His was a glorious kingdom, elevating his name above many of his contemporaries, being equipped by the Lord Himself.

Jesus, in like manner was equipped by God to build a kingdom, though His equipping by God was for a battle that was much more demanding, with a much greater reach, and resulting in an eternal kingdom, a kingdom that could not be overtaken.

His equipping was that of the Spirit of God being displayed in mercy, laying His life down for others. This self sacrifice, this self denial and giving up is far beyond the equipping Cyrus received. For Jesus, it was the wisdom, trust and willingness to hear the Father’s voice and to obey to the very end.

He was equipped by God to provide, at the cost of His own life, a salvation that all can enter into.

Granted, it is somewhat difficult to understand the strength required to purposely be weak, to have the power of God, even the ability to call down of legions of angels, and yet have the inner strength of restraint to continue in His mission, even to be nailed to a cross.

Consider this strength!

We also are equipped by God to give, to provide for others at our own cost. The equipping by God is found in His Spirit, even as we walk with God in our daily decisions. This equipping by God will be evident in the fruit we produce through His Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23, 25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

May His name be elevated above all worldly powers.

Jesus is King!

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