he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt” ’ ”(Isa. 44:24–28). This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him … so that gates will not be shut … “I call you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me” (Isa. 45:1, 4). Although Cyrus was a heathen king, Isaiah portrays God here as commissioning Cyrus to conquer Babylon by drying up its river and to act in behalf of His people by rebuilding their