I. The name of Cyrus, the point of the compass indicative of his birthplace, and the direction of his march upon Babylon are distinctly foretold.
II. Isaiah describes with remarkable accuracy the personal character of Cyrus. His warlike spirit, his towering ambition, the rapidity of his conquests, the equity of his administration, and his heathen religion are all declared after the manner of prophecy.
III. The significance of the prophecy deepens when it comes to describe the conquests achieved by Cyrus. History but repeats these prophecies in describing the facts as they occurred.
IV. Isaiah explicitly foretells the restoration of Judah from captivity and the rebuilding of the Temple at Jerusalem through the agency of Cyrus.
V. These facts suggest the admonition that young minds should guard with especial care against the beginnings of distrust in the Divine origin of the Bible. It is the word of God. True or false, it is inspired by an omniscient mind. If false, it is a fraud so stupendous that mortal man could never have originated it. The grandeur of the imposture would be as miraculous as the truth.
A. Phelps, The Old Testament a Living Book,p. 295.
Reference: 2 Chronicles 36:22; 2 Chronicles 36:23. Expositor,J. M. Fuller, 3rd series, vol. ii., p. 469.