Isaiah Chapter 6
This is a familiar scene, filled with awe as Isaiah reveals
a scene from heaven, where the glory of God is overwhelming; Isaiah struggles
with words to portray what he has seen. The three-times holy reinforces the
unbroachable gap between Creator and creature. Holy refers to being set apart
from something. Natural man cannot approach God any more than a fish can
approach an eagle. The eagle can swoop low and snatch up a fish; so God in
Christ was brought low in order to snatch up sinners.
A side note: in verse 1 we read that robe of God filled the
temple. The Hebrew word is "seam" - as of the seam of His robe fills
the temple. Again, I see this as indicating God is simply beyond our comprehension.
We can understand Him in part, but full knowledge of Him is beyond us.
Isaiah 6:4 (HCSB) "The foundations of the doorways shook
at the sound of their voices." I think the author of Hebrews was pondering
this when the Spirit gave him this: Hebrews 12:25-29 (HCSB) "Make sure
that you do not reject the One who speaks. For if they did not escape when they
rejected Him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from
Him who warns us from heaven. His voice shook the earth at that time, but now
He has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven.
This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be
shaken—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain. Therefore,
since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to
grace. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, for our God
is a consuming fire."
Isaiah was undone, ruined, because he was "a man of
unclean lips in a nation of unclean lips." A Scripture reference to this
is Exodus 6:12 & 30, where Moses tries to excuse himself from service to
God in speaking to Israel (verse 12) and to Pharaoh (verse 30) because he is a
man of uncircumcised lips. The remedy for Moses and the nation of Israel was
not for the males to be circumcised in the flesh, but for them all to be
circumcised of the heart (Deut 10:16), which would be done by God. The remedy
for Isaiah was to have his lips cleansed with fire - both of these point to the
regeneration by the Spirit, wherein we are cleansed from sin by the imputed
righteousness of God and circumcised without human hands.
Isaiah, called of God, agrees to serve Him - no excuses.
Here we read of encouragement to gospel preachers.
Isaiah 6:9-10 (HCSB) "And He replied: Go! Say to these
people: Keep listening, but do not understand; keep looking, but do not
perceive. Dull the minds of these people; deafen their ears and blind their
eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
understand with their minds, turn back, and be healed."
Contrary to the disciples of Osteen, Hybels, Warren, and the
SBC leadership, those who proclaim the gospel of Christ are not to be concerned
with the opinions and responses of sinful man; we are to be faithful to the One
Who called us.
Isaiah didn't shrink back but did ask, "for how long,
Lord?" Isaiah 6:11-12 (HCSB) "And He replied: Until cities lie in
ruins without inhabitants, houses are without people, the land is ruined and
desolate, and the LORD drives the people far away, leaving great emptiness in
the land."
YHWH will drive the people out, leaving the land empty and
the house of Israel desolate. So we are to be consistent and faithful in
preaching His Word, even if people are driven away and the temporal signs of
wealth fall away.
Isaiah 6:13 (HCSB) "Though a tenth will remain in the
land, it will be burned again. Like the terebinth or the oak that leaves a
stump when felled, the holy seed is the stump."
A tenth (remnant) will still be in the land, as Paul wrote:
Romans 11:5 (HCSB) "In the same way, then, there is also at the present
time a remnant chosen by grace." But though a remnant remains, "the
land it will be burned again" - the judgment of God will consume all, as
when He returns to judge the nations and make all things new.
Peter agrees: 2 Peter 3:10-13 (HCSB) "But the Day of
the Lord will come like a thief; on that ⌊day⌋ the heavens will pass away with a
loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the
works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be destroyed in
this way, ⌊it is clear⌋ what sort of people you should be
in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming
of the day of God. The heavens will be on fire and be dissolved because of it,
and the elements will melt with the heat. But based on His promise, we wait for
the new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will dwell."
No matter what goes on in this age, on this earth, our call
is be fixed in Christ, focused on Christ, holy in conduct (not like the world!)
and godliness (like Christ!) as we wait for and EARNESTLY desire His return.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 (HCSB) "Therefore encourage one
another with these words."
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