Misinterpretations often detach the passage from its historical context of Cyrus's decree allowing Jewish exiles to return home, wrongly applying it as a universal promise that God raises modern political leaders altruistically to build cities or free people without cost, or spiritualizing 'him' as Christ or believers to claim personal prosperity and unchallenged success through righteousness, ignoring that Cyrus acted unwittingly under God's direction despite his pagan background, or presuming it endorses forcing compliance from rulers for God's favors.
Isaiah 45:13
King James Version (1769)
13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts.
God asserts His sovereign control over history by raising up Cyrus the Persian king in righteousness to accomplish divine purposes, directing all his paths so that he rebuilds Jerusalem and releases Israelite captives from Babylon without demanding payment or reward, demonstrating that God uses even unbelieving rulers as instruments for Israel's restoration and highlighting His gracious provision for redemption independent of human merit or transaction.