In Chapter 45, God says about Cyrus (a future Persian leader), "I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged Me." Cyrus will be empowered by God to conquer the Babylonians and inherit their Empire - including Israel and Judah.
Assyria and Babylon would conquer kingdoms and deport the inhabitants to other parts of their empire so they would lose their national identity and become Assyrians or Babylonians. The Persians were different, they wanted the people to go back to their native lands and be owing to the Persians for allowing them to do so. So, when Cyrus conquers the Babylonians, he allows the Jews in captivity to go back to jerusalem and rebuild the city and the temple - and even provides the funds to do so - see Ezra and Nehemiah - just like God predicted through Isaiah.
God is the sovereign King of the Universe and can even use pagans to bring about His glory and achieve His good purposes for His people.
There is no other like the LORD!
FYI vv. 44:9-20 is a classic bit of sarcastic humor about idols. This critique applies to the gods created by man today.
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