Isaiah 41:25
I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.
ISAIAH 41:25
God declares He has raised up one from the north who will come in His name. The imagery of coming “upon princes as upon morter” evokes a forceful, uncompromising judgment and the potter’s clay imagery of shaping power. This likely points to a conquering figure under God’s providence, often understood in prophetic literature as a reference to Cyrus the Persian king and broader foreshadowing of God’s redemptive governance.
This verse demonstrates God’s sovereignty over nations and history. He can raise and deploy rulers to accomplish His purposes, even through foreign powers. It also signals the continuity of God’s plan—even when appearances suggest chaos, God remains the director of world events.
When governments or leaders seem to act independently of God, remember that God still exercises ultimate authority. Pray for humility in leadership, and discern how your own civic engagement aligns with God’s justice and mercy. In personal life, recognize that influential changes—new jobs, relocations, or relational shifts—may be God’s sovereignly directed opportunities for growth and faith.
Cross-References
- Isaiah 45:1-3
- Daniel 2:20-21
- Psalm 75:6-7
- Proverbs 21:1