", For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. God knew Isaiahs need. 38) until 686 B.C. God is no respecter of persons, and He will not hold back His hand of just discipline for His children. The representative of the grace of GOD to needy men flew swiftly to tell of His saving favor, based upon the atoning sacrifice. In Jerusalem? Lord give us men and women like Isaiah in these "difficult" last days, cf 2Ti 3:1-note). Or in awe of you be still? zera, a collective singular; cf. Uzziah was the prophet's king, therefore his lord and master, and perhaps his hero too, in spite of his tragic end (died a leper). Isaiah 6. Faced with the solemn responsibility of proclaiming so unpopular a message, Isaiah cried, "Lord, how long?" Moody Publishers, The Commission of Isaiah - Emmaus Journal V4:1, Summer, 95, Be Comforted (Isaiah): Feeling Secure in the Arms of God, New American Commentary: Volume 15a: Isaiah 1-39. who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" A final question which needs to be answered is why Isaiah was to preach and call the nation to repentance which was already judicially blind. my course (dromos = race - see 2Ti 4:7-note), and the ministry which I received from the Lord (kurios = Master - Greek word used to translated Adonai) Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel (euaggelion) of the grace (good news of unmerited favor, in contrast to the bad news of the law) of God. 36: Word Biblical Commentary : John. Though the closing years of Uzziahs reign were filled with disobedience to God, this Judean monarch, in comparison with many other kings, was still considered godly, for he did right in the sight of the Lord (2Ki 15:3). Isa 6:10 arranges these into a rounded structure (heart, ears, eyes, eyes, ears, heart) thus emphasizing a total inability to comprehend These were the days in which the decisive word was spoken and refused. They also speak on the call of Isaiah and his response to God. I know you will apply hard to German, but do not forget the culture of the inner manI mean of the heart. Johannine Writings I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 16:5; Is. Word Biblical Commentary. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point For the past few days, weve considered aspects of Gods nature that need to be understood to foster prayer. He saw Jehovah which is enough to know. (Zech 14:8, 9+), is a man with unclean lips. It will again be subject to burning - This is a difficult phrase. 1. Your joys, pains, sacrifices, and triumphs last for a moment before disappearing forev If you are nothing more than a cosmic accident, your life doesn't matter. MacArthur New Testament Commentary Ser. Colossians (See context inThe Wycliffe Bible Commentaryor borrow Wycliffe Bible Commentary), Wiersbe -How tragic it would be to have the throne without the altar! No earthly king could help Judah in that hour. It has pleased GOD to commit the declaration of His truth to men rather than to angels. March 20, 2018. At least two reasons may be given. But now Isaiah sees himself, because he sees God. Christ is again represented under discouraging circumstances, as despised of men, abhorred by the nation, and a servant of rulers; who is encouraged by divine promises that kings should rise up before him, and worship him; that God would be faithful to his promise to him, and yet choose him, hear and help him, at a proper time; preserve him, and Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year. His writing style has no rival in its versatility of expression, brilliance of imagery, and richness of vocabulary. In panic, Ahaz sent to the Assyrian king for help (2 Kin. Copyright 2007, Grace to You. Isaiah, the son of Amoz, ministered in and around Jerusalem as a prophet to Judah during the reigns of 4 kings of Judah: Uzziah (called Azariah in 2 Kings), Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (1:1), from ca. Pauline Epistles It may signify 1) the presence of God (cf. Zoe Kravitz - actress. 18:4, 22; 2 Chr. The joyful strain of the trumpet betokens the splendor of his triumph, leading captivity captive, and well might the clarions ring out the tidings of Emmanuels victorious return. (Mt 13:10-17). conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy Those are the first words spoken by Isaiah himself in his book, and they pronounce a prophetic woe upon himself. Isaiah knew he was standing before an awe-inspiring God when he had his vision in the temple. (Motyer, J. (See context inIsaiah). Ask Pastor John. (See context in John notes)(Bolding added), Isaiahs sight of Gods glory is described, Isaiah 6:1, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, etc. The evangelist expounds this of Christ, which is an evident proof of the Deity of Christ, that He is Jehovah; for it was Jehovah Whom the prophet there saw (Matthew Poole's Commentary on the New Testament) (Bolding added), Believer's Study Bible (Criswell) writes that, The passage undoubtedly refers to the magnificent vision of Isaiah (cf. In short, tame' describes whatever does not suit the presence of the holiness of God. Major Prophets The message and the revelation are to be repeatedly before the nation, yet she is forbidden to perceive and understand. The implication is startling: Jesus is Yahweh! Historical Books Double for all her sins.". Isaiah 6:2SERAPHIM STOOD ABOVE HIM, EACH HAVING SIX WINGS: WITH TWO HE COVERED HIS FACE AND WITH TWO HE COVERED HIS FEET AND WITH TWO HE FLEW, Seraphim (08314) (seraph [fiery serpent - Nu 21:6, Isa 14:29) is related to the verb sarap = to burn, of literal burning, Lv 4:12, Josh 6:24, Je 7:13, almost always of destructive burning is the plural of seraph (In Hebrew the "-im" ending signifies plurality) literally means burning one, fiery one or glowing one. Glory(03519)kabod means literally to be heavy or weighty (only rarely used literally), the figurative use ("heavy with sin") being more common. Then - After Isaiah had received the specifics regarding his "difficult" mission. The commission of Isaiah gives us another illustration of the right of Adonai, the Lord, to expect absolute obedience from His servants (Isa. Only so can we really be prepared to give an effectual testimony. Isaiah 6:11 THEN I SAID, "LORD, HOW LONG?" (Names Of God Nathan Stone Books. (Collected writings of W. E. Vine. From the outset the Lord might as well command Isaiah to harden the people, because his preaching will end up having that effect. (See context Believer's Bible Commentaryor borrow Believer's Bible Commentary) (Bolding added), Edwin Blum in the respected Bible Knowledge Commentary agrees writing, John wrote that this glory Isaiah saw was Jesus glory. Renditions: Historical Books God gave them up. He cut them off from further light. (quoting Arnold Fruchtenbaum's "The Footsteps of Messiah") the Shechinah Glory is the visible manifestation of the presence of God. Because Christian leaders and day-to-day believers have given Roma Downey a get-out-of-the-new-age free pass, Lighthouse Trails is releasing a second Roma Downey booklet today. What we must see, in the context of the whole Bible, is that this burning coal symbolizes the finished work of Christ on the cross. He is bound by His own Word to fulfill the promises He has made to bring them back to Himself and bless them in that future day (55:1012). Some commentators feel this verb is better translated "I am silenced, still, cannot reply" and thus Young's Literal renders it "I have been silent". 10 Many (OF ISRAEL) will be purged, purified and refined (ZECHARIAH IS QUANTIFYING HOW "MANY" = 1/3), but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. Nor is He obligated to offer salvation to everyone forever. This living coal represents the cleansing blood of Christ that keeps on cleansing us from all sin. Adonai is the exalted, majestic sovereign, the One Who has the right to call Isaiah into ministry so that His sovereign rights as Master and Owner over Israel might be proclaimed (Isa 1:3 "an ox knows its owner"). (Isaiah - Expository Notes). The New Testament As of July 27, there have been 173,995 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 4,360 deaths in Los Angeles alone. That fits His role as Judge (see Jn 5:22, 23, 27, 30; 9:39)." And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." Lets also remember that God made us holy in Jesus Christ not just to prepare us for heaven in the sweet by-and-by, but so we can live above the pull of sin in the mixed-up here-and-now. Sin so pervades our nature that it taints all of our thoughts and actions, not just those which we can specify as disobedient to God. He had been eternally transformed! There are too many people today who are asked to do something in the church who first of all ought to get cleansed and straightened out with the Lord. Poetical Books He touched my mouth with it - Isaiah's mouth was cleansed but represented cleansing of his entire person. Write by: . (See context in Balancing the Christian Life), I like the way Puritan writer Thomas Watson described God's glory. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Use semicolons to separate groups: 'Gen;Jdg;Psa-Mal' or 'Rom 3-12;Mat 1:15;Mat 5:12-22', There are options set in 'Advanced Options', The Whole Bible 33:20). (Gal 3:16, cf Ge 22:18 where "seed" = Messiah), the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. It is what proceeds out of the heart of a man that goes through the lips; and, when the lips are cleansed, it means that the heart is cleansed also. His writing features a range of 2,186 different words, compared to 1,535 in Ezekiel, 1,653 in Jeremiah, and 2,170 in the Psalms. They need to confess the sins in their lives, because their service will be sterile and frustrating until that takes place. As Adam and Eve hid themselves when they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden; (Ge 3:8, 9, 10) so do we shrink from the felt presence of the Lord in view of our own unworthiness and guilt. Vol. 6:1). Unfortunately, as Dr. Tony Evans points out, this "hurry up and get it" mentality has invaded the church. Woe is me, for I am ruined! The Sovereign Servant, Part 2A. When he had seen God, he could see himself. No doubt visitors to Mount St. Helens will gasp as they look into a crater almost two miles wide. The chambers of abomination are all closed until Christ shines in upon the soul. I can only imagine (1-2) What Isaiah saw. All that changed, however, when Uzziah died. Note the emphasis on the elevated position of his throne in Isa 6:5. When I walk by your side It is obvious that the phrase to see God is used in two different senses. Only John reports the early Judean ministry of that year ( John 1:19 - 4:42 ). Isaiah 9:6 Isaiah 9:6 may be the most familiar Old Testament prophecy about the birth of Christ. Amos But it was at this point that the character of this terrifying God shined through. Shane and Shane I take it that this act of putting the coal on his lips was just an external manifestation of what happened in the inner man. Their refusal to receive Truth!) This well-known passage teaches us a lot about the God we worship and the ministry of worship itself. All this describes, in a twofold application, the circumstances of the remnant both after the return from captivity and hereafter in the great tribulation. Covered his face his feet - Notice how the Seraphim acknowledge the person of Jehovah by their actions (and then in Isa 6:3 with their words), even covering their face undoubtedly because of the overwhelming glory of God's holy presence. Then Solomon said, The Lord has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. He essentially offered himself as a blank check, to be filled in as God saw fit With Isaiah we see a three-step process: first, acute realization of ones own sinfulness in the light of Gods holiness; second, hearing the gospel that ones sins are forgiven; and finally the response of gratitude, love, and surrender leading to actionFor many of us, such realizations may come in stages as we gradually grow in the Christian life. It can also be represented as a consuming fire (Ex 24:17). A man may so harden himself in evil as to render his condition irremediable, and this by Gods retributive judgment upon him. Further, in this our own rightful attitude before Him we learn to identify ourselves with the condition of those fellow members of the Body of Christ who have proved unfaithful and lapsed into evil ways, and to confess their sins, as ours. (The Commission of Isaiah - Emmaus Journal V4:1, Summer, 95). Faces covered, wings resplendent, Seraphim before Him bow! In moments like that it is easy to see the futility of any hope but an ultimate one. Nehemiah 14 "In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, 'YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING , BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; 15 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR , AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES , OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES , HEAR WITH THEIR EARS , AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN , AND I WOULD HEAL THEM. (Acts 20:24). God does not need or want servants who think they are doing God a favor. Some see this threefold repetition of holy as an OT allusion to the Trinity, with which while compatible would not be dogmatic proof of the Trinity (eg, it would probably be inappropriate to use Isa 6:3 as strong substantiation of the Trinity in the OT). If you ever begin to think God has given you a difficult ministry, take time to meditate on the ministry of Isaiah. ), so the ruined Israel contains the indestructible germ of the future kingdom of God, the holy seed is wrapped up in it. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, Evidently Isaiah was in the temple in Jerusalem when he had this awe-inspiring vision of God's throne (Isa 6:1). (The Commission of Isaiah - Emmaus Journal V4:1, Summer, 95), Regarding the trembling of the foundations Harry Ironside makes a piercing comment. Rev. Jan 1, 1984. When Assyria became weak through internal strife, Hezekiah refused to pay any further tribute to that power (2 Kin. You should find someone upon whom you can depend. The Lord, however, did not intend to get rid of Simon Peter. Depart from me. Apart from the grace and mercy of God, we would all cry "Woe is me" and it behooves each of us to continually keep this attitude so that we might remain humble and yielded to our great and awesome God (cf Dt 7:21, Neh 1:5, 4:14, Ps 99:3-note, Da 9:4-note). (Beasley-Murray, G. R. (2002). But the effect of this view of our Lord's divine glory upon the mind of the prophet is still more impressive: "Then said I, Woe is me! Zephaniah It was Jesus Who Moses experienced in the burning bush. Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth. The same distinction appears in Josh 7:8, 9, 10, 11. In the majority of cases chatta'ah denotes sins against man, e.g. John MacArthur. 334733749636 Like Israel beneath Mount Sinai, the words of his heart are, Do not have God speak with us or we will die (Ex 20:19). Isaiah 6:10 RENDER THE HEARTS OF THIS PEOPLE INSENSITIVE, THEIR EARS DULL, AND THEIR EYES DIM, OTHERWISE (LEST) THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEARTS, AND RETURN AND BE HEALED. The upshot is that those who have rejected truth, are to be irreparably hardened by the very truth they chose to reject! If the foundation is shaky, things will start to crumble. Woe is me! The Whole Bible Send me (verse 8). In Jn 8:58 He declared that He was "I Am", the name ascribed to God in Ex 3:14+. He has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, since 1969. Rockland/Westchester Journal News. Notice the extent of his sense of sinfulness. Eyes dim see - So they cannot perceive God's message. You have never really seen the Lord, my friend, if you feel that you are worthy or merit something or have some claim upon God. and continued for 29 years to ca. Note that in Isa 6:5 Isaiah laments that he is morally unworthy to be in the King's presence. ", and so should be read as "Until the LORD has removed men far away." Render insensitive - Literally, this reads "Declare fat the heart". The new service was a big hit with people who were too busy to park and eat, let alone sit at a table. Pentateuch Heb. Peter could not stand the contrast between the purity and power of Christ and his own sinfulness. In contrast, slaves had no other option but to obey their master (see, for example, Ge 24:112). Despite the use of irony, we should still view this as a genuine, albeit indirect, act of divine hardening. 2 Corinthians The beams and lintels trembled at the cry, (Ro 7:24). (Rev 15:8-note). Page183. Yet Isaiahs eager response, Here I am! (Isaiah 6:8) reveals how he was actively ready to respond to God. Vine explains that the stump remains and "has life in it after the cutting off of the branches; it can shoot out into verdure again. Seraphim contrary to popular opinion is not a class of angels but a separate class of created beings. From his viewpoint he was right, and he won the match against them. Holy is the Judge of Creation, all lies bare before His eyes! Will I dance for you Jesus, So why in todays reading does Gods angel touch a burning coal to Isaiahs lips? 26:35, 810, 1315). But no humble inquirer after Christ, need to fear this awful doom, which is a spiritual judgment on those who will still hold fast their sins. The concept of a believing remnant of Judah is alluded to again in Isaiah 7:3 where we encounter Isaiah's son whose name Shear-jashub (see ISBE note) means a "remnant shall return". March 19, 2018. Both this woman and Isaiah show the close link between humility, coming helplessly before the Lord, and obedience. 712. 2 Chronicles He condemned the empty ritualism of his day (e.g., 1:1015) and the idolatry into which so many of the people had fallen (e.g., 40:1820). We still have to live in a sin-scarred world, of course, and that can wear us down at times. TODAY IN THE WORD - Visitors to the Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington can now peer directly into the huge crater left by the volcano's deadly eruption on May 18, 1980. This physical manifestation of God has come to be called the Shekinah. The lips are specified because of the fact that he had just seen choirs of holy creatures worshipping with pure lips. 40 "Comfort, comfort My people," says your God. Psalm 18:8). (cf Ex. God's holiness is the keynote of Isaiah's whole prophecies. 28:1, 8; ca. Over the past few days, we may have given you the idea that forgiveness is only pleasure. 28:3). Holy, holy, holy! The mission is to catch persons alive. With flowing train that filled the temple quite. The day of grace will end and there will be no more opportunity for salvation for those who have rejected the Lord Jesus. It would be beneficial for us to review these Scriptures, lest any of us should think we stand (1Cor 10:12). Our knowledge of God is never exhaustive and perfect, but it is nevertheless true. Isaiah was thus cleansed and equipped for praise, intercessory prayer, and the proclamation of God's word. The coal touched his mouth, corresponding to Isaiahs sense of unclean lips and his imminent prophetic calling. The primary function of pen at the beginning of a clause is to express precaution. God sometimes, in righteous judgment, gives men up to blindness of mind, because they will not receive the truth in the love of it. An encounter with Gods power is no reason to draw back from him, but an opportunity to approach him on the right basis, in faith and dependence. Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us? Then I said, Here am I. Pastor John MacArthur. Irving Jensen: Matthew's reporting skips most of the first year of Jesus' ministry. And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. Now the Evangelist takes for granted, that Isaiah saw the glory of Christ. That is how great Gods holiness and grace can be. Isaiah 53:4-6. Therefore in this context, symbolic interpretations, such as those quoted below certainly appear to be warranted.