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← J. Vernon McGee

Isaías 6

J. Vernon McGee · Citado em PreceptAustin

Isaías 6

Vernon McGee applies this grand scene to our everyday lives noting that… if we would see Him today in that (high and lifted up) position, we would be delivered from low living. It would also deliver some folk from this easy familiarity that they seem to have with Jesus. They talk about Him as if He were a buddy and as if they could speak to Him in any way they please. My friend, you cannot rush into the presence of God. He doesn't permit it. You come to the Father through Christ. This is the only way He can be approached. You can never come into the presence of the Father because of who you are. You come into His presence because you are in Christ. The Lord Jesus made that very clear when He said, "No man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (Jn 14:6) If you are His child, you can come with boldness to the throne of grace (Heb 4:16-note), but you cannot come to Him on any other basis. (Isaiah 6:3-5 on mp3) The LORD of hosts - In Isa 6:1, 8, 11 the divine name is Adonai but the Seraphim acclaim Him as Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of the armies. Glory (03519) kabod means literally to be heavy or weighty (only rarely used literally), the figurative use ("heavy with sin") being more common. 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. In the OT glory is a “technical term for God’s manifest presence” (Ex 16:7), often connected with the Shekinah glory cloud (Ex 16:10) and with the Ark of the Covenant. It can also be represented as a consuming fire (Ex 24:17). Glory also involves “honor” or position of power. The glory of the Lord “reveals His person and dignity, and the proper response to such a revelation is to give God honor or glory” (cf Ex 33:18). God's glory is essentially the profound, glowing, visible, confluent expression of the attributes of Deity which bears witness to a still more profound and incomprehensible reality of essence. In His character and essence, He is "Spirit," and thus invisible to man (Jn 4:24), but He has made Himself known to man through revelation by His many names and titles, by His attributes, by His written Word, and finally by His living Word, Jesus Christ (Jn 1:14). In the OT, God revealed His glory at Sinai (Ex 24:16, 17), in the tabernacle (Ex 40:34, 35, 36, 37, 38), in the Jerusalem temple (1Ki 8:10, 11) and here in Isaiah 6 to the prophet. Grogan notes that Kabod "is used of God in his manifestation to his creatures. The essence of deity is inscrutable, but something of his glory can be seen if God is pleased to disclose it (Exod 33:17=23; Ezek 1:28). (See context in Commentary- Isaiah) The Septuagint (LXX) translates the Hebrew with the noun doxa [word study], in simple terms means to give a proper opinion or estimate of something and thus the glory of God expresses all that He is in His Being and in His nature, character, power and acts. He is glorified when He is allowed to be seen as He really is. To be where God is will be glory. To be what God intended will be glory. To do what God purposed will be glory. Charles Ryrie says that the glory of God "is the manifestation of any or all of His attributes. In other words, it is the displaying of God to the world. Thus, things which glorify God are things which show the characteristics of His being to the world. (See context in Balancing the Christian Life) I like the way Puritan writer Thomas Watson described God's glory… Glory is the sparkling of the Deity… We may see God's glory blazing in the sun and twinkling in the stars (Ps 19:1)… A sight of God's glory humbles. The stars vanish when the sun appears. The whole earth is full of His glory - More literally this reads "The fulness of all the earth is His glory". Vine says it should be rendered "His glory is the fullness of the whole earth". David prayed for this end (and so should we considering that it is a prayer for the Lord's return and the real peace of Jerusalem!)… And blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen. (Ps 72:19) In Numbers Yahweh declares… but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. (Nu 14:21) Later in the context of a prophecy of the coming Millennial Age Isaiah God says… For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Is 11:9, cf Isa 40:5 describing the Second Coming of the Messiah - see Mt 24:30) Habakkuk records the prophecy that in the Millennial Age… The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Hab 2:14) TODAY IN THE WORD - In his book Our God Is Awesome, Bible teacher Tony Evans says, “Holiness is the centerpiece of God’s attributes. Of all the things that God is, at the center of His being, He is holy… God’s holiness unlocks the door to understanding and making sense out of everything else about Him.” This is an important truth for us to understand in relation to heaven and the kind of people who will be there. Dr. Evans goes on to say, “Only one thing happens [in heaven]: people get to know God. You will spend eternity in heaven getting to know God.” Since God is perfectly holy and heaven is His dwelling place, it follows that heaven must be a holy place where no sin can exist. That’s exactly what the Bible teaches. The prophet Habakkuk says of God, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong” (Hab. 1:13). Isaiah was given a vision of heaven and of the God of heaven that few others have ever experienced. The prophet’s attention was immediately drawn to the throne where God rules in awe-inspiring majesty and holiness. He saw the angels surrounding the throne who eternally call out the reality of God’s holiness. In fact, over 600 years after Isaiah lived, John heard the same testimony in heaven: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty” (Rev. 4:8). In this heavenly environment of pure holiness, holy people are the only ones who will be at home. Thankfully, through salvation, Jesus Christ clothes us with His holiness so we can stand forgiven and clean in God’s presence. He places His Spirit within us so that Christ is formed in us (Gal. 4:19). We still have to live in a sin-scarred world, of course, and that can wear us down at times. It’s great to realize that in heaven we will finally be free from the presence and power of sin, both our own sin and the evil that surrounds us. Let’s 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. TODAY ALONG THE WAY- It’s a staggering thought to realize that naturally unholy people like us can look forward to sharing heaven with our sinless God. TODAY IN THE WORD - A. W. Tozer once said the most important thing anyone could know about him was what he believed about God. That's another way of saying that theology matters. What Tozer said about the importance of his view of God can be said about each one of us. What we believe about God is so crucial because everything else in our lives is built on that foundation. If the foundation is shaky, things will start to crumble. As with most of our studies so far this month, we can't summarize everything the Bible teaches about God in a few lines. Isaiah 6 is a good representative because it captures the majesty of God's Person, His perfect holiness and overwhelming presence. Isaiah knew he was standing before an awe-inspiring God when he had his vision in the temple. Missionaries and others who live among various cultures observe that people tend to create and then worship gods whom reflect their own peculiar tendencies. A tribe or village prone to violence invariably creates gods whom they believe delight in violence and blood. This was true in the nations around Israel, as well. That's one reason God commanded the Israelites to eradicate the Canaanites. How different the true God is from one of these created beings. He is so unlike us, so exalted over His creation, that we can't control Him or make Him simply a reflection of ourselves. Isaiah was struck with awe, and even terror, when he saw a vision of God on His throne. The presence of the seraphim and their thunderous voices are a picture of indescribable majesty. The repetition of the word 'holy' speaks of God's perfect holiness His complete purity and separation from anything evil. Isaiah did the same thing we would have done. He cried out in distress, suddenly very aware of his sinfulness. But it was at this point that the character of this terrifying God shined through. Instead of erasing the prophet with a blast of holiness, God sent an angel to cleanse and forgive Isaiah. We don't have to ask Isaiah what he believed about God. The question was what Isaiah's encounter with God did to him. We face the same question because, amazingly, this holy God has said, 'Be holy, because I am holy' (1Pe 1:16). TODAY ALONG THE WAY - Isaiah 6 is not the kind of text we can just read and put down. It seems to demand some reflection. But too many of our schedules allow too little time for reflection and meditation on God and His Word. God Himself tells us, 'Be still, and know that I am God' (Ps. 46:10). Make sure this day includes some time alone with the Lord to thank Him for His holiness, and consider what it means to be holy the way He is holy. Still one of my favorite hymns of all time, and one which has special memories for me. Although I was an unregenerate teenager, this hymn always seemed to strike a peculiar chord in my heart, until one day at age 39 after studying the Minor Prophets, the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah, came to take up residence within my heart and "Holy, Holy, Holy" became even more meaningful (My Testimony to God's Grace). Praise God for godly music which lifts our souls to the throne room of God in Heaven! HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Reginald Heber, 1826 Renditions: Shane and Shane Hymns Project Men's Acappella Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity! Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who was, and is, and evermore shall be. Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see; Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in power, in love, and purity. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea; Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity! (Note: Heber wrote this hymn for Trinity Sunday while he was Vicar of Hodnet, Shropshire, England) Some "Holy" Choruses Holy is the Lord Holy, Holy, Holy Is The Lord Of Hosts He Reigns - "Holy, Holy, Holy is our Lord God Almighty...." More Hymns Related to Isaiah 6 Bright the Vision That De­light­ed Day Is Dy­ing in the West Eternal Wis­dom, Thee We Praise Father All Ho­ly Father and Friend! Thy Light, Thy Love Father, Thine Elect Who Lov­est For the Beau­ty of the Earth God’s Praise Book Great Giv­er of All Good Harp at Na­ture’s Ad­vent Strung, The Holy, Ho­ly, Ho­ly Holy, Ho­ly, Ho­ly! God of Grace and Glo­ry! Holy, Ho­ly, Ho­ly Lord (Dodd) Holy, Ho­ly, Ho­ly Lord (Wes­ley) Holy, Ho­ly, Ho­ly, Lord (Words­worth) Holy, Ho­ly, Ho­ly, Lord, Thy Dis­ci­ples Holy, Ho­ly, Lord Al­migh­ty Jehovah, Thee We Praise O Ho­ly, Ho­ly, Ho­ly Lord (East­burn) O Ho­ly, Ho­ly, Ho­ly Lord (Con­der) Round the Lord in Glo­ry Seat­ed Round the Throne of Glo­ry See the Shin­ing Dew­drops Seek Not Afar for Beau­ty Thou Has Been Our Guide This Day We Thank Thee, Lord, for This Fair Earth We Thank Thee, Lord, Thy Paths of Ser­vice Lead We Wor­ship Thee, Al­migh­ty Lord When Comes the Gold­en Sun­set Isaiah 6:4 AND THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE THRESHOLDS TREMBLED AT THE VOICE OF HIM WHO CALLED OUT, WHILE THE TEMPLE WAS FILLING WITH SMOKE foundations of the thresholds: Eze 1:24 10:5 Am 9:1 Temple: Ex 40:34 1Ki 8:10, 11, 12 2Ch 5:13,14 6:1 Ps 18:8 Rev 11:19 15:8 The foundations of the thresholds trembled - the bases of the thresholds shook. Compare other allusions to physical manifestations of God's power (Ex 19:18, Acts 4:31). Foundations (0520) ('ammah) usually describes a linear measurement (cf first use Ge 6:15) of a cubit, but here describes a post. Are these the very "gates of heaven" which are caused to shake at the sound of the seraphim? One cannot be dogmatic, but that is certainly a possibility! Trembled (05128) (nua/nuwa) means to move back and forth, to and fro (cf Ex 20:18, 1Sa 1:13). The voice of the seraphim was so powerful that the sound waves caused the temple foundation to sway back and forth, even as mountains tremble when Jehovah appears (Ex 19:18, Jdg 5:4). What an awesome, even fearful experience for God's prophet! NIDOTT notes that… In the OT the terms for smoke appear chiefly in three contexts: theophanic portrayals (Ex 4:5, 19:18, 40:38, Ps 104:32, Ps 144:5), descriptions of mundane events whether actual or prophesied, and comparisons or figurative descriptions (eg, anger of God, Ps 74:1, 80:4). Him - Is a collective pronoun which includes the company of the seraphim. Him who called out - One seraphim calling out to another. Perhaps this is a preview of believers calling out to other believers in a symphony of praise to God. Temple (01004) (bayith) describes a fixed, established structure made from some kind of material and in many context (such as the present passage ) bayith refers to the place of worship, the dwelling place (house as it were) of God. Filling with smoke - Given that there is an altar, that could be the source of the smoke. The meaning of the smoke is uncertain, so we had best avoid dogmatic interpretation. We do know that God had revealed Himself to men in the past in similar ways. For example, at the completion of Solomon’s Temple (note) in Jerusalem… It happened that when the priests came from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. (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… At the heart of the idea of a Temple is the abiding presence of God. Although God is omnipresent, He has chosen to manifest His presence in certain locations and at certain times within history. This physical manifestation of God has come to be called the Shekinah. (quoting Arnold Fruchtenbaum's "The Footsteps of Messiah") the Shechinah Glory is the visible manifestation of the presence of God. It is the majestic presence or manifestation of God in which He descends to dwell among men. Whenever the invisible God becomes visible, and whenever the omnipresence of God is localized, this is the Shechinah Glory. The usual title found in Scriptures for the Shechinah Glory is the glory of Jehovah, or the glory of the Lord. The Hebrew form is Kvod Adonai, which means ‘the glory of Jehovah’ and describes what the Shechinah Glory is. The Greek title, Doxa Kurion, is translated as ‘the glory of the Lord.’ Doxa means ‘brightness,’ ‘brilliance,’ or ‘splendor,’ and it depicts how the Shechinah Glory appears. Other titles give it the sense of ‘dwelling,’ which portrays what the Shechinah Glory does. The Hebrew word Shechinah, from the root shachan, means ‘to dwell.’ The Greek word skeinei, which is similar in sound as the Hebrew Shechinah (Greek has no ‘sh’ sound), means ‘to tabernacle.’… In the Old Testament, most of these visible manifestations took the form of light, fire, or cloud, or a combination of these. A new form appears in the New Testament: the Incarnate Word [John 1:14]. John records in his vision of the heavenly temple that… the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. (Rev 15:8-note) Pulpit Commentary… Smoke is sometimes the mere sign of the presence of God, as in Isa 4:5; but more often it indicates his presence in anger or judgment (see Ex 19:18; 20:18; Rev 15:8). John Fish sums up the possible meaning of the smoke… The meaning of the smoke is uncertain. It may signify 1) the presence of God (cf. Ex. 40:30; Ezek. 10:4); or it may be 2) an indication of the sanctuary scene with the smoke rising from the altar of incense; or 3) the smoke may be an indication of the wrath of Yahweh (cf. Psalm 18:8). (The Commission of Isaiah - Emmaus Journal V4:1, Summer, 95) Regarding the trembling of the foundations Harry Ironside makes a piercing comment… Strange that inanimate pillars should thus be moved while the hearts of men remained obdurate and motionless! But one man there was who did respond and that in a very definite way (Ed: Referring of course to the prophet Isaiah, who had ears to hear and eyes to see the supernatural! Lord give us men and women like Isaiah in these "difficult" last days, cf 2Ti 3:1-note). Sinful men with tender hearts rightly respond with a reverent fear and awe when confronted with the manifest presence of the Holy One of Israel. Scripture gives us a number of examples: Abraham (Ge 18:27, 30, 32), Gideon (Jdg 6:21, 22, 23), Manoah and his wife (Jdg 13:20); Job (Job 42:5, 6); Isaiah (Isa 6:5); the apostle John on the isle of Patmos (Rev 1:17). As Kistemaker says (in his comments on Luke 5:8+) - When one is confronted with Jesus, it is impossible to remain neutral. His enemies react to His miracles with hatred and reviling; His true disciples, with homage and reverence. They stoop and worship. TODAY IN THE WORD DEVOTIONAL- According to a report on the history of the automobile, the boom in the fast food industry may be explained largely by the car's entrance into American daily life. The first "carhops" appeared in the 1930s, allowing people to eat without leaving their cars. Then in the 1970s some restaurants tested the idea of "drive-through" service. The new service was a big hit with people who were too busy to park and eat, let alone sit at a table. 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. Unfortunately, as Dr. Tony Evans points out, this "hurry up and get it" mentality has invaded the church. The result is that many Christians want their worship the way they want their hamburgers. They want to drive up to church, grab an hour of worship, and drive off--what Dr. Evans calls "drive-through worship." Nothing could be more opposed to this mentality than the awe-inspiring heavenly scene before us today. The vision Isaiah saw would bring the busiest "drive-through worshiper" screeching to a halt. In Isaiah 6, the curtain is pulled back on the never-ending worship of God that fills heaven. There is a lot happening in this chapter of Scripture. One purpose of Isaiah's vision was to commission him for service (Isa 6:8-13). Another purpose was to reveal God's holiness and worthiness to be worshiped. Today, we want to step back and take in the incredible scene the prophet describes. We learn much about heaven in these few verses. For instance, God's throne is in the heavenly temple, which, as we will learn later this month, served as the pattern for the earthly temple. We also catch a glimpse of the ceaseless worship that the angels of heaven render to God (Isa 6:3, cf. Rev. 4:8), and we can almost feel the ""doorposts and thresholds"" of the temple shaking. TODAY ALONG THE WAY -Is your worship being offered to God on His terms and timetable, or has it become a "drive-through experience"? Isaiah 6:5 THEN I SAID, "WOE IS ME, FOR I AM RUINED! BECAUSE I AM A MAN OF UNCLEAN LIPS, AND I LIVE AMONG A PEOPLE OF UNCLEAN LIPS; FOR MY EYES HAVE SEEN THE KING, THE LORD OF HOSTS said: Ex 33:20 Jud 6:22 13:22 Job 42:5,6 Da 10:6-8 Hab 3:16 Lk 5:8,9 Rev 1:16,17 man: Ex 4:10 6:12,30 Jer 1:6 Zec 3:1-7 Mt 12:34-37 Jas 3:1,2 I live: Isa 29:13 Jer 9:3-8 Eze 2:6, 7, 8 33:31 Jas 3:6, 7, 8, 9, 10 my eyes: Isa 33:17 Rev 1:5, 6, 7 Jacob's vision of God - Ge 32:30, Ex 20:19; 33:20; Gideon when he encountered the Angel of the LORD = Jdg 6:21, 22, 23, Manoah and his wife [Samson's parents] = Jdg 13:22; Job 42:5, 6 WOE! I HAVE SEEN GOD See a detailed discussion addressing the question "Did created men ever see the uncreated God? Woe is me - It is interesting to note the prophet himself pronounced 6 woes on Israel (Is 5:8, 11, 18, 20, 21, 22 - a different, albeit synonymous Hebrew word [hoy in Isaiah 5, 'oy in Isaiah 6] than that translated "woe" in this verse), but when confronted with the transcendent glory infinite holiness of God, in alarm and despair, he could only cry "woe". 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). Grogan writes that "This verse teaches us that in order to be an effective channel for God’s penetrating word, the power of that word must be felt in the person’s own conscience. (See context in New American Commentary- Isaiah 1-39) Woe (0188) (oy) is an interjection (a word thrown in between words connected in construction to express emotion or passion) which means alas, which in turn is an exclamation expressive of sorrow, grief, pity, concern, or apprehension of evil. Oy - 23x in 22v - Nu 21:29; 24:23; 1Sa 4:7, 8; Isa 3:9, 11; 6:5; 24:16; Jer 4:13, 31; 6:4; 10:19; 13:27; 15:10; 45:3; 48:46; Lam 5:16; Ezek 16:23; 24:6, 9; Hos 7:13; 9:12 How does Isaiah express woe? (1) Ruined (2) Unclean (3) Live among unclean people (4) Seen the King. "This revelation of God’s holiness, had a devastating impact on Isaiah. Overwhelmed by acute awareness of his own sinfulness… This is remarkable considering Isaiah was a member of the religious elite" (Jerry Bridges) I am ruined - KJV "I am undone". 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". (See Oswald Chambers on Isaiah 6:5: The Concentration of Personal Sin) Ruined (01820) (damah) primarily means made to cease, come to one's end, cut off, undone, doomed to die. This was Isaiah's response to a vision of the Thrice Holy God! Damah - 15x in 14v in the NAS - Ps 49:12, 20; Isa 6:5; 15:1; Jer 6:2; 14:17; 47:5; Lam 3:49; Hos 4:5, 6; 10:7, 15; Obad 1:5; Zeph 1:11. NAS = cease(1), completely cut off(1), cut off(2), destroy(1), destroyed(1), perish(2), ruined(5), silenced(1), unceasingly*(1). 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')! Unclean (tame')!" (Lev 13:45) even as did the prophet Isaiah, who recognized his sinful "leprous like" condition in the face of God's perfect purity. Vine writes that every believer should have an "Isaiah 6 reaction" to the glory of God for… The more we apprehend the facts and character of the atoning sacrifice of Christ and the glories of His Person the more deeply we realize our own sinfulness. The nearer we are to the Lord the greater the sense of our utter unworthiness. 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. Only so can we really be prepared to give an effectual testimony. It is one thing to condemn the saints, it is quite another to take upon ourselves the confession of their sins as ours. It is that which causes the Holy Spirit to use us for real blessing amidst them. (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson) Paul exhibited a similar increase in awareness of his sinful state as grew in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… 1Co15:9 (55AD) For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. Ep 3:8 (61AD) To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 1Ti 1:15 (63-66AD) It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

Isaías 6

Vernon McGee - When Simon said, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man. O Lord,” he was saying, “Lord, you called me to be a fisher of men and I failed. I went back to fishing for fish—I thought I knew that kind of fishing better, but I find that I don’t! Depart from me. Let me alone. I am a sinful man. You should find someone upon whom you can depend.” The Lord, however, did not intend to get rid of Simon Peter. He was going to use him, and this applies to us also. All we have to do is recognize that we are not very good fishermen —recognize our failures and faithlessness. When we are willing to depend on Him, He will not put us out of the fishing business, and He will not throw us overboard. He will use us. This is an encouraging truth! R. J. D.

Isaías 6

Vernon McGee explains that "It is interesting that up to this time Isaiah had never heard the call of God. I think many Christians have never felt like they were called to do anything for God because they have never been cleansed. They have not seen this great need as Christians. God is not going to use a dirty vessel, I can assure you of that. It is true that God does bless His Word even when it is given out by those who are playing around with sin, but in time God judges them severely. I don't dare mention any names, but I have known certain ministers who for awhile enjoyed the blessing of God. Then they got into sin, and it wasn't long until the judgment of God fell upon them. (Listen free online - Isaiah 6:6-8.mp3)(See context in Thru the Bible) Paul reminded his young disciple Timothy of the importance of the principle of Biblically based "separation" (not exclusiveness or becoming part of an "elite") from potentially corrupting influences, if we would be used by God… Therefore (based on the preceding truth), if a man cleanses himself from these things, (Ed: Some interpret this as "these people") he will be a vessel for honor (precious, valuable), sanctified (set apart from the common and profane uses and readied for holy, consecrated uses), useful to the Master, prepared for every good (God - Jn 15:5 type) work. Now flee (present imperative - Command to make this your habitual practice. Why? Because Sin continually chases after us, seeking to drag us into the miry clay!) from youthful lusts, and pursue (present imperative - Continually. Don't just flee, but fill that "spiritual vacuum" with persistent proper pious pursuit of… ) righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (Ed: Select your "spiritual running companions" prayerfully and carefully). (2Ti 2:21-note, 2Ti 2:22-note) The voice of the Lord - The voice of Adonai, the supreme, sovereign God, the owner of everything, the Master and here Isaiah's Master. Isaiah has been cleansed and is now ready to hear and heed the call of Adonai. For us (cf Ge 1:26, Ge 3:22, Ge 11:7) - First we observe the singular pronoun "I", followed by the plural pronoun "us" which is at least suggestive/supportive of the doctrine of the Trinity (tri-unity) of God. The NET note however feels that "The plural pronoun ("us") refers to the Lord, the seraphs, and the rest of the heavenly assembly." Oswald Chambers - God did not address the call to Isaiah; Isaiah overheard God saying, "Who will go for us?" The call of God is not for the special few, it is for everyone. Whether or not I hear God's call depends upon the state of my ears; and what I hear depends upon my disposition. "Many are called but few are chosen," (Mt 22:14) that is, few prove themselves the chosen ones. The chosen ones are those who have come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ whereby their disposition has been altered and their ears unstopped, and they hear the still small voice (1Ki 19:12KJV) questioning all the time, "Who will go for us?" It is not a question of God singling out a man and saying, "Now, you go." God did not lay a strong compulsion on Isaiah; Isaiah was in the presence of God and he overheard the call, and realized that there was nothing else for him but to say, in conscious freedom, "Here am I, send me." Get out of your mind the idea of expecting God to come with compulsions and pleadings. When our Lord called His disciples there was no irresistible compulsion from outside. The quiet passionate insistence of His "Follow Me" (Mt 4:19, 8:22, 9:9, 16:24, 19:21) was spoken to men with every power wide awake. If we let the Spirit of God bring us face to face with God, we too shall hear something akin to what Isaiah heard, the still small voice of God; and in perfect freedom will say, "Here am I; send me." (January 14th Called Of God) Then I said - Isaiah responds with no apparent hesitation. THOUGHT - How do I respond when I "hear" the Master's voice (especially in His Word) commanding a certain response? Delayed obedience is disobedience beloved! We need to be like the vintage RCA dog and "tilt our ears" when we hear the Master's voice! Cp 1Sa 3:9, 10 McGee - Isaiah heard God's call for the first time and responded to it, as a cleansed individual will do. 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. They need to have their lips touched with a living coal. They need to confess the sins in their lives, because their service will be sterile and frustrating until that takes place. (See context Thru the Bible) Jerry Bridges - As Isaiah anguished over his newly discovered sinfulness, God sent one of the seraphim with a burning coal from the altar. As he touched Isaiah’s mouth with it, the seraph said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for” (verse 7). In this good news, Isaiah heard the gospel… Isaiah also experienced both the deep conviction of his sin and the assurance of God’s gracious forgiveness. Isaiah’s response was… When he heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” he responded, “Here am I! Send me” (verse 8). Isaiah gave his life in service to God. 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 one’s own sinfulness in the light of God’s holiness; second, hearing the gospel that one’s sins are forgiven; and finally the response of gratitude, love, and surrender leading to action…For many of us, such realizations may come in stages as we gradually grow in the Christian life. But whether suddenly or slowly, we should aim to increase our awareness of God’s holiness and our sinfulness, coupled with an ever-deepening understanding of the meaning and application of the gospel. As we do, we, too, will respond with genuine gratitude and commitment to God; we’ll experience the motivating power of the gospel, and our lives will be progressively transformed. (The Bookends of the Christian Life -recommended read - I have read this one 3-4 times. It is that good!)