A new visitors' center brings the mountain up close, satisfying the curiosity of many who want a firsthand look inside the famous mountain. The description of God leaves no doubt that Isaiah was dealing with the Lord of heaven and earth. Psalms Isaiah, chapter six teaches us that even in this age the day of grace may come to an end for certain individuals. (The Commission of Isaiah - Emmaus Journal V4:1, Summer, 95), Regarding the trembling of the foundations Harry Ironside makes a piercing comment. (New American Commentary: Volume 15a: Isaiah 1-39. And they immediately (eutheos = instantly, straightway, forthwith) left the nets (abandoned the temporal), and followed (for the eternal) Him (akoloutheo = literally "to walk the same road"!) Prophets To argue over how he saw Him is to miss the splendor of this scene. Stated another way, God is telling Isaiah that he would be the instrument of Judah's divinely appointed judicial hardening and spiritual blindness! All that changed, however, when Uzziah died. My friend, you cannot rush into the presence of God. Individual instructors or editors may still require the use of URLs. Forgiven (KJV = purged) (03722)(kapar related to koper = to cover as in Ge 6:14, ransom, as in Ex 21:30, Nu 35:31, Ps 49:7, an atonement by blood - Lev 17:11) means to atone by offering a substitute. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, Thy Disciples, We Thank Thee, Lord, Thy Paths of Service Lead, The Abiding Presence of God (take a moment to read this insightful discussion), Isaiah 6:5: The Concentration of Personal Sin, Isaiah 6 - The Prophet's Cleansing and Commission, Luke. (See context in The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: Old Testament), It is interesting to see the meaning of this same fraction of a "tenth" in Leviticus where Moses records that, every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to Jehovah. The mission is to catch persons alive. Clear distinction in the use of the divine names is illustrated in Ex. This fact disqualifies the case for proposing that the church receives some of the promises made originally to Israel. At this we need not wonder. The repetition of the word 'holy' speaks of God's perfect holiness His complete purity and separation from anything evil. Having been reared in Jerusalem, he was an appropriate choice as a political and religious counselor to the nation. McGee -Isaiah heard God's call for the first time and responded to it, as a cleansed individual will do. It is a verse in which John refers to one of the most glorious visions of God ever given to a human beingthe vision received by Isaiah at the beginning of his ministry as a prophet, in which he saw Jehovah sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, with his train filling the templesaying quite naturally, it would seem, that this applies to Jesus. The related word kapporet describes the mercy seat, an "atonement cover", the gold cover on the ark of the covenant where atonement is made. In contrast, slaves had no other option but to obey their master (see, for example, Ge 24:112). 15:5; 2 Chr 26:20, 21). What will happen, then, when such a king dies, and coupled with that death there comes the recognition that a resurgent Assyria is pushing nearer and nearer? On problem passages he often offers views and reasons, but is brief due to his limitations of space. 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. Caution is also advisable when one attempts to associate theological significance to the number three (eg, E W Bullinger says that "three denotes divine perfection" but again a "Berean-like" [Acts 17:11] mindset is advisable when evaluating such comments. You will spend eternity in heaven getting to know God.. (The Commission of Isaiah - Emmaus Journal V4:1, Summer, 95), Comment: Considering the current state of the Church in America perhaps it is time for pulpits to preach Isaiah's message that the Church might be awoken from her slumber and her easy compromise with the world ("Why not go to PG-13 movies"? I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. We may safely say at once that God never harden [sic] hearts that would otherwise be soft, and that owe their hardness to His interposition. The book derives its title from the author, whose name means The LORD is salvation, and is similar to the names Joshua, Elisha, and Jesus. In Isaiah 6:10 shamen is translated in the Septuagint withpachuno(from pachus = thick) which means to make fat and is used only in Acts 28:27+and Mt 13:15, both usesin the passive voice (action or effect coming from without from an unmentioned force, in context assumed to be God ="divine passive") figuratively meaning to become dull or calloused. (The Commission of Isaiah - Emmaus Journal V4:1, Summer, 95), Motyer observes that "The two verbs, has touched and is taken away, are co-ordinate perfects, stressing that as soon as the one happened the other happened also. A burning coal - The Seraphim are themselves "burning ones" and here bring a "burning coal". Glory(03519)kabod means literally to be heavy or weighty (only rarely used literally), the figurative use ("heavy with sin") being more common. 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone. It is interesting to recall that King Uzziah himself (cf Isa 6:1) had been "cut off" (ruined) after becoming leprous (the discipline of the Lord - 2Chr 26:19, 21) and according to the Mosaic law had to cry "Unclean (tame')! John and his wife, Patricia, have four married children and fifteen grandchildren. 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. Even though God is longsuffering and a God of love, His love and patience cannot be assumed presumptuously. Job was a self-righteous man. The Lord is angry with all nations; his wrath is on all their armies. Isaiah 3:9 (note) declares that the people of Judah "have brought disaster upon themselves," but Isa 29:9, 10 indicates that the Lord was involved to some degree in desensitizing the people. Prophets As Motyer says "Typically of Isaiah, hope is the unexpected fringe attached to the garment of doom." God starts out graciously revealing his will and offering repentance, but if people repeatedly reject God, eventually the day of hardening and judgment will come. 1944 Moody Publishers), These things (Jn 12:37-40) Isaiah said (Is 53:1, Isa 6:10, cp Ro 10:16), because he saw His glory (Isa 6:1), and he spoke of Him. He was going to use him, and this applies to us also. Moses feels his weakness and incompetence, and Moses said unto the LORD [Jehovah], O my Lord [Adonai], I am not eloquent, etc. 26 Feb Feb As Kistemaker says (in his comments on Luke 5:8+) -When one is confronted with Jesus, it is impossible to remain neutral. Look at the Book. Play & praise as you ponder one day seeing Holy Holy Holy In a word, Isaiah 6 shows that unbelief is the result of rejection of the light that is given, and that the rejection of the light in turn, in accord with the sovereign decree of God, gradually makes belief impossible. Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Philemon 2 Kings Isaiah 6:9,10 has been the subject of much debate and speculation because instead of calling his readers to repent and to not harden their hearts, these verses command Isaiah to issue a proclamation which is just the opposite! With twain they were flying, or hovering. If you can, use a fall barbecue or bonfire as an opportunity to meditate on the reality of Isaiahs coal. 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). Galatians From the outset the Lord might as well command Isaiah to harden the people, because his preaching will end up having that effect. On the other it is the execution of Gods righteous judgment. (a) worship God and praise him with the heavenly hosts; (b) repent of daily sins in order to enter the presence of a holy God; (d) speak the message God gives regardless of its popularity or severity; (e) cause some to harden themselves for destruction; or. The effect of this was to confirm them in their sin, and therefore confirm them in their lost estate. 23:10; Lk 6:46); (b) the servants right to direction in service (Isa 6:8, 9, 10, 11). If you feel led to join the hosts of heaven in proclaiming the utter holiness of our God, sing a relevant chorus or hymn, such as Holy, Holy, Holy, during your prayer time today (or see the links below). Poetical Books We should only be offended if we are offended by the fact that God is a God who judges sin. 32:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) and so he desires to know how long until the end of the divine judgment? Word Biblical Commentary. Drive-through service, cell phones, beepers and other time-saving devices say a lot about a culture that always seems to be in a hurry. In heaven? Johannine Writings 15:19). It was Jesus Who Moses experienced in the burning bush. Genesis Not just to terminate a thing but carry out to full, to carry through completely.) New Testament Studies, Books of the Bible Matthew, MacArthur Bible Studies John MacArthur $10.49 $14.99 Save 30% The Israelite's offering implied confession of sin and recognized its due penalty as death; and God passed over his sin in anticipation of Christ's sacrifice which did, finally, put away those sins "committed beforehand" [OT times] (Heb 9:15-note, He 9:26-note; Ro 3:25-note). So in 701 B.C. Moses, David, Apostles). His son Jotham (ca. (Luke. A Bright Form parts the smoke! For example, nothing in Isaiah reveals the extended period separating the two comings of the Messiah. Him - Is a collective pronoun which includes the company of the seraphim. And so the lips of this man Isaiah are cleansed. Page183. . This sovereign act of God, designed to make His power known (Ro 9:17-note) might seem cruel except that Pharaoh volitionally hardened his own heart against God (Ex 8:15), and so fully merited God's judgment. It is the vision of God as Adonai which started him out on his prophetical career. See related study of this great Name of God - Jehovah Rapha: (Jehovah Rophe) The LORD our Healer, Vine -The people had so persistently perverted their ways that they had gone beyond the possibility of conversion and healing. From heavy derives the idea of a "weighty" person in society, one who is honorable, impressive, worthy of respect, the meaning in >50% of uses. - When Job saw the Lord, he cried, "I repent in dust and ashes." 18:1, 2). Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press), Isaiah is an excellent OT illustration of the powerful principle taught in 1John 1:9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (2Th 2:8, 9, 10, 11), Warren Wiersbe -God does not deliberately make sinners blind, deaf, and hard-hearted; but the more that people resist Gods truth, the less able they are to receive Gods truth. 16:7) and the Assyrian king gladly responded, sacking Gaza, carrying all of Galilee and Gilead into captivity, and finally capturing Damascus (732 B.C.). They dare not gaze at the glory of Jehovah! He then could say, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ" (Php 3:7-note). ", Taken away (05493) (cuwr) conveys the primary sense of to turn aside and thus means to depart, remove, or be removed. Even with our best intentions and desires, our worship of God is imperfect. Will I be able to speak at all? Uzziahs downfall resulted from his attempt to assume the privileges of a priest and burn incense on the altar (2 Kin. The Whole Bible 18:4, 22; 2 Chr. To contend that those yet unfulfilled will see non-literal fulfillment is biblically groundless. There is no task laid upon us by the Lord which we shall not have power from Him to fulfill, when everything that would hinder our communion with Him has been removed. All high and lofty views of its own false glory annihilated by clear and close views of the true glory of Jesus. in context of judgment - Da 8:13-note, Da 12:6-note) - Isaiah knew that God would not cast off His people forever (cf Ex. Fulfillment of his prophecies of Christs first coming have given Isaiah further vindication (e.g., 7:14). Cody Walker 7. And something new is entering his hearthumility. Damien Cook 10. In the case of God, qadosh describes what He is by His intrinsic nature and as regards man, it refers to those that have been brought into the sphere of the sacred (set apart) by God. He was judged with leprosy, from which he never recovered (2 Kin. In more than five decades of ministry from the same pulpit, he has preached verse by 6:1). Each one had six wings. Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, invaded the coastal areas of Israel, marching toward Egypt on Israels southern flank. (just as "the cloud the glory of Jehovah filled the Tabernacle" in Ex 40:35), His robe - In Psalm 104 God's "robe" is described as light, Covering Yourself with light as with a cloak (Ps 104:2). Unclean (02931)(tame) means defiled, rendered foul or dirty, soiled, sullied, impure, polluted. As far as we know, Isaiah did not literally proclaim these exact words. With two he covered his face. Micah Isaiah 6:5 THEN I SAID, "WOE IS ME, FOR I AM RUINED! It has pleased GOD to commit the declaration of His truth to men rather than to angels. We would re-emphasize the fact that it was from the altar of burnt offering the coal was taken, not from the golden altar, where only incense was burned. Bible - 18 Ego Eimi (I AM) statements, like John 8:58; Bible - 27 Verses on Yahweh, Elohim(s) and The Gods; Bible - 400 NT Jesus Prophecies copied from OT; Bible - 75 Verses on drinking Wine & Alcohol; Bible - Exodus 3:14 Translations; Bible - King James (KJV) & 37 'Disputed' Verses; Bible - Lost Books of the Bible; Bible - Mark 16:9-20 Text . (1 Ki 8:10, 11, 12), Tony Garland in his discussion of The Abiding Presence of God (take a moment to read this insightful discussion) writes that. Ryrie -After the 70 years in Babylon, a tenth would return. (Lk 6:45+), James wrote that "we all stumble in many ways. The vision Isaiah saw would bring the busiest "drive-through worshiper" screeching to a halt. Does the Lord really want to prevent his people from understanding, repenting, and being healed? Series: The Gospel According to God. He saw his need of Jesus Christ. Dr. MacArthur is also the author of more than one hundred books, covering a great expanse of Christian topics. 790739 B.C. You will see the gospel detailed in God's own words as He reveals His Messiah, His love for Israel, and His promises for you. Lord God Almighty! sonicwave 231c non responsive Uncovering hot babes since 1919.. isaiah 49 commentary john macarthur. Given the solemnity and "heaviness" of the message, Isaiah would need all the divine enablement he could get, especially in view of the fact that the prophet is forewarned that his mission would be (in one sense) an abysmal "failure"! For the first time his mouth speaks with "the highest sort of simplicity, of naivet, the intuition of a soul which has seen itself in the light of the divine holiness." Zec 7:11, 12 looks back to the pre-exilic era (cf. Moody Publishers) Note that most of these dates are approximations and not indisputable facts. This interpretation, which holds in balance both Israel's moral responsibility and the LORD's sovereign work among His people, is consistent with other pertinent texts both within and outside the Book of Isaiah. 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. The NET note however feels that "The plural pronoun ("us") refers to the Lord, the seraphs, and the rest of the heavenly assembly. He, that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Job had an experience similar to Isaiah's, and his reaction was, "I abhor myself." Also known as the evangelical Prophet, Isaiah spoke much about the grace of God toward Israel, particularly in his last 27 chapters. It was a time of national darkness, for Uzziah, Judah's great king, had died. One to the other called and praised the Lord: Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth! The new service was a big hit with people who were too busy to park and eat, let alone sit at a table. Acts 3 John Instead of erasing the prophet with a blast of holiness, God sent an angel to cleanse and forgive Isaiah. As when the sun appears, all the lesser lights vanish into darkness, so when Jesus rises in noontide glory upon the soul, all other glory retires, and He alone fixes the eye and fills the mind. Isaiah was thus cleansed and equipped for praise, intercessory prayer, and the proclamation of God's word. 1 Timothy Fallen mankinds only hope is the gracious character of God and the self-giving work of Christ. 6 There was a man having been sent from God, whose name was John. Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness. 38) until 686 B.C. The whole earth is full of His glory - More literally this reads "The fulness of all the earth is His glory". Perfect in power, in love, and purity. 1Sa 20:1 Ps 59:3, or against God, mainly in the historical and prophetical literature. All the saints adore Thee, 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. This is condescending grace indeed! Philippians 2 Samuel Matthew THEN I SAID, HERE AM I. Interactive Bible study with John Piper. But this holy thing touches Isaiah's dirty mouth, and it does not hurt him, it heals him. Haggai (Lev 13:45) even as did the prophet Isaiah, who recognized his sinful "leprous like" condition in the face of God's perfect purity. (Moody). Isaiah knew he was standing before an awe-inspiring God when he had his vision in the temple. Isaiah was a contemporary of Hosea and Micah. That live coal was witness of the fire, ever burning, which was never to go out (Leviticus 6:13). Now the Evangelist takes for granted, that Isaiah saw the glory of Christ. One cannot be dogmatic (in my opinion). What filled him with this self-abasement? Joel Praise God for godly music which lifts our souls to the throne room of God in Heaven! The prophets attention was immediately drawn to the throne where God rules in awe-inspiring majesty and holiness. (See context in The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: Old Testament). High on a lofty throne, in splendor bright, The pattern of literal fulfillment of his already-fulfilled prophecies gives assurance that prophecies of Christs second coming will also see literal fulfillment. The Lord healed Hezekiahs critical illness, as Isaiah had predicted (38:5; 2 Kin. Remembering our spiritual estrangement, our great undischarged indebtedness to God, our impurity of heart in His sight, our manifold transgressions of His righteous law,our souls tremble before Him; and if we do not say, Depart from me, O Lord! as Peter did, yet our first thought is to escape from His felt presence, to put some distance, in thought and feeling, between ourselves and that Holy and Mighty One in whose power we stand so absolutely, and whose Spirit we have grieved so greatly. While this may have been a literal coal, it is used symbolically (otherwise it would have literally burned Isaiah) and in the context was God's vehicle for purifying His prophet of his uncleanness. 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). In moments like that it is easy to see the futility of any hope but an ultimate one. The effect of beholding GOD is to make one realize his own unworthiness and the corruption of his own heart. Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" 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". Again the theme is sounded: the Messiahs glory is revealed in His suffering. We suggest that you use a physical object to help yourself grasp spiritual truth more vividly. One purpose of Isaiah's vision was to commission him for service (Isa 6:8-13). The text is silent. I can only imagine Glory also involves honor or position of power. (2 Kin. range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed And the LORD will be King over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one, and His name the only one. Israel and Syria formed an alliance to combat the rising Assyrian threat from the E, but Ahaz refused to bring Judah into the alliance (2 Kin. Numbers And with the other twain aloft they soared, (See context inThe MacArthur Bible Commentary), I CAN ONLY IMAGINE By sending him, He drives the sinful people further from Him, for Isaiah's preaching, which focuses on the LORD's covenantal demands and impending judgment upon covenantal rebellion, forces the people to confront their sin and then continues to desensitize them as they respond negatively to the message. John says, Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus glory and spoke about him (John 12:41). In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. This message is also a message that grace really is grace. Freely righteous! (Lk 5:8) (Isaiah 6 - The Prophet's Cleansing and Commission). After all, God did not have to send Isaiah. UPDATED-ISAIAH: THE PROMISE of the Messiah (MacArthur Bible Studies) - $31.84. Whether or not I hear God's call depends upon the state of my ears; and what I hear depends upon my disposition. Vine says it should be rendered "His glory is the fullness of the whole earth". For the past few days, weve considered aspects of Gods nature that need to be understood to foster prayer. And similar to the LORD in Isaiah 6, Jesus (Who in fact I believe is also Jehovah of Isaiah 6) gives Peter, James and John a commission to be "catching men" to which they responded to the Lord's call/commission (much like Isaiah) by leaving everything and following Him. Insensitive (08082) (shamen/saman) is a verb which means to be fat or to become fat (Dt 32:15, Neh 9:25, Jer 5:28)and is used figuratively to describe one who is self-satisfied, surfeited, lazy (Neh 9:25) and insensitive to God's plans and unreceptive of His law and will (Dt 32:15). The Old Testament Holy is the angels Maker, He who spread His stars in the skies. 29:4; John 12:40; Acts 28:26,27; Rom. Isaiah 6:10b is also clearly sarcastic. Passwords should have at least 6 characters. He does not blind the eyes of those that would fain see, and apart from His interposition, would see.