The Book of Isaiah, Part 3: The Vision Experienced: The Call of Isaiah

Intro

Series - The Book of Isaiah

Title - Part 3: The Vision Experienced: The Call of Isaiah

Text - Isaiah 6.1-8

Isaiah 6:1–8 NASB 2020

1 In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. 2 Seraphim were standing above Him, each having six wings: with two each covered his face, and with two each covered his feet, and with two each flew. 3 And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of armies. The whole earth is full of His glory.” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. 5 Then I said, “Woe to 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 armies.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your guilt is taken away and atonement is made for your sin.” 8 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. Send me!”

Background

Death of king Uzziah

2 Chronicles 26 records king Uzziah’s rise to power as a young king of 16 years old, and his fall fro power and fame as a leper king.

2 Chronicles 26:16–23 NASB 2020

16 But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was untrue to the Lord his God, for he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Then Azariah the priest entered after him, and with him eighty priests of the Lord, valiant men. 18 They opposed Uzziah the king and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been untrue and will have no honor from the Lord God.” 19 But Uzziah, with a censer in his hand for burning incense, was enraged; and while he was enraged with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of the Lord, beside the altar of incense. 20 Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous on his forehead; and they quickly removed him from there, and he himself also hurried to get out because the Lord had stricken him. 21 King Uzziah had leprosy to the day of his death; and he lived in a separate house, afflicted as he was with leprosy, for he was cut off from the house of the Lord. And his son Jotham was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land. 22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, the first to the last, the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, has written. 23 So Uzziah lay down with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the grave which belonged to the kings, for they said, “He had leprosy.” And his son Jotham became king in his place.

2 ways to view Isaiah 6

it is a record of Isaiah’s being commisioned to the ministry, but was written our of chronology

meaning, Isaiah 6 comes before Isaiah 1-5

It is a record of Isaiah’s being “recommissioned” to a specific work. He was already a functioning prophet before this event

meaning, it is in the right chronology

Isaiah 1-5 were prophesied before he was commissioned in the year of king Uzziah’s death

Whatever the case, Isaiah 6 is what happens when a man is divinely called of God to the prophetic ministry.

Outline of Isaiah 6

A vision of the Sovereign King - vv. 1-4

The prophet’s conviction and purification - vv. 5-7

The message for a calloused people - vv. 8-10

Hope in the midst of destruction - vv.11-13

Main Idea

The call to the ministry is not a simple decision that a man makes by himself and for himself. It is profound experience in the presence of God.

Main Points

In the commissioning of the servant of God, he sees three important things:

Isaiah sees the glory of the Sovereign King

Isaiah sees his sinfulness before the Holy Presence of the Lord

Isaiah sees his commissioned work

The glorious vision of the Lord

The timing of the vision

Isaiah saw the vision in the year king Uzziah’s death

God intentionally timed the vision to make a stark comparison of His reign against human rule.

Earthly kings come and go, but God lives on and His reign goes on and on

Many years later, 2 secular kings acknowledged God’s eternal rule - Nebuchadnezzar and Darius

Daniel 4:2–3 NASB 2020

2 I am pleased to declare the signs and miracles that the Most High God has done for me. 3 “How great are His signs And how mighty are His miracles! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And His dominion is from generation to generation.

Daniel 6:26–27 NASB 2020

26 I issue a decree that in all the realm of my kingdom people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. 27 “He rescues, saves, and performs signs and miracles In heaven and on earth, He who has also rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

God intentionally timed the vision to remind Israel who is the true King over them and over the whole earth.

Earthly kings are just stewards, the real King is the LORD of hosts!

even secular kings and political leaders x Romans 13.3-4

Romans 13:3–4 NASB 2020

3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a servant of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.

God’s message here

While the Bible clearly teaches the importance of high standard for those in the ministry,

We must be careful not to think of them beyond their measure

We must be careful not to judge the faith because of their failure

We must be diligent in praying for them

Even anointed leaders fail!

when pride takes over their heart

When they refuse to listen to other leaders from God.

The significance of the vision -

Isaiah saw the sovereignty of the God of Israel

Isaiah described the sovereignty of God in a, 3-fold way -

sitting on the throne - He reigns

lofty and exalted - He is above all

the train of His robe rilling the temple - His glory goes where He goes and fills that place

Despite the presence of sin, God remains Sovereign over all.

No one, not even Satan, is completely free from the Sovereign rule of God.

Revelation 4:11 NASB 2020

11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”

Isaiah saw the holiness of the God of Israel

The Seraphs were heavenly beings describes “burning ones”

They are bright creatures,

they have 6 wings

The Seraphs describe and emphasize the holiness of God

they covered their faces with 2 wings

they covered their feet with 2 wings

they called out to one another with superlative description of God’s holiness - “Holy, Holy Holy!”

Holiness is the only attribute of God that is described in the Bible in the superlative

also in Rev 4.8

Revelation 4:8 NASB 2020

8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.”

God is so holy even the angels and spirit beings hide their faces before Him!

on earth, royalties require that no man will look at them eye to eye

God is so holy the angels hide their feet before Him.

God to Moses: “remove your sandals…”

God’s message here

God’s Sovereignty and Holiness go together

this is expressed in Revelation 4.8-10

Revelation 4:8–10 NASB 2020

8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” 9 And when the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

the superlative Holiness is akncowledged

the Almighty is acknowledged

the 24 elders cast their crowns before the throne

the 24 elders recognize the worthiness of God

You cannot recognize the Sovereignty of God and ignore His holiness!

Those who are sent by God MUST FIRST SEE the sovereignty and holiness of God before they do ministry.

Those who do not go on as if the ministry is their own to dispose of.

Those who do not fail to to live holy lives

Paul’s example - 1 Thess 2.9-12

1 Thessalonians 2:9–12 NASB 2020

9 For you recall, brothers and sisters, our labor and hardship: it was by working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, that we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly and rightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; 11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Colossians 2:6–7 NASB 2020

6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Those WHO DO experience life transformation

Those who do last long in the service

The sinfulness of man before the Holy Presence of the Lord

Isaiah 6:5–7 NASB 2020

5 Then I said, “Woe to 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 armies.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your guilt is taken away and atonement is made for your sin.”

Conviction

Isaiah was convicted of his sins

Isaiah saw his sinfulness before the holy God

“I am ruined/undone”

a sinner who dares to look at the face of God will die!

a sinner is unworthy to stand before the Holy God

“I am a man of unclean lips…”

God’s message here -

Those who are sent by God MUST ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE his own sinfulness and unworthiness before God

those who do not is proud!

those who do not has never experienced the Holy Presence of God!

Those who do are purified by the fire of God

Purification

Isaiah experiened the purifying touch of the fire of God

on of the Seraphs brought a coal of fire from the altar and touched his mouth with it!

Isaiah was symbolically cleansed from his guilt and sin

The mouth/lips is an organ for ministry

The mouth/lips is connected to the heart - Matthew 12.34

Matthew 12:34 NASB 2020

34 You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, express any good things? For the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart.

Isaiah experienced the igniting power of the fire of God!

Isaiah 6:8 NASB 2020

8 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. Send me!”

Isaiah responded quickly to the call of God!

He had no hesitation

He had no preconditions!

The apostles and the early church received the SAME IGNITING POWER at Pentecost!

their tongues were ignited by the Holy Spirit

God’s message here

Purification and ignition by the Holy Spirit go together!

God ignites with His fire those He will use for the work

God will purify those he will ignite for the ministry

Those who are sent by God must be purified and ignited by the Spirit of God!

Those who are not do not last long in ministry

they give in to trials

they are easily discouraged

Those who are - face the ministry with courage and dependence on God!

The work ahead for the servant of God

God’s message to a calloused people

Isaiah 6:9–10 NASB 2020

9 And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not understand; And keep on looking, but do not gain knowledge.’ 10 “Make the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes blind, So that they will not see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.”

calloused/insensitive - “kalyo” in Tagalog

It is a declaration of judgment

It is not a call to repentance

Most messages from God give warnings and then call for the people to repent and turn back to God.

It exposes the people’s stubbornness

keep on listening but do not understand

keep on listening but do not gain knowledge

God is intent in bringing the people into judgment

so they will not see

so they will not hear

so they will not understand

so they will not be healed!

God’s message here

When a person is being stubborn despite the goodness of God towards him, God is able to MAKE IT WORSE FOR HIM.

Pharaoh - God hardened his heart so that God can fully demonstrate His power and grace! Romans 9.22-24

Romans 9:22–24 NASB 2020

22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with great patience objects of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon objects of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24 namely us, whom He also called, not only from among Jews, but also from among Gentiles,

the Gentiles who refused to acknowledge God - Romans 1.21-24

Romans 1:21–24 NASB 2020

21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures. 24 Therefore God gave them up to vile impurity in the lusts of their hearts, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.

“God gave them up to vile passions…”

the excessive manifestation and passion of the world to express homosexuality and lesbianism are MANIFESTATIONS ofr God’s “giving them over…”

Those who are sent by God to the ministry must be willing to do just as God instructs them to do!

because not all ministries are the same

because not all messages from God are the same

because not all intents of God are the same

Those who are not try to shape the ministry according to himan ideas or their own!

God leaves a ray of hope

Isaiah 6:11–13 NASB 2020

11 Then I said, “Lord, how long?” And He answered, “Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant, Houses are without people And the land is utterly desolate, 12 The Lord has completely removed people, And there are many forsaken places in the midst of the land. 13 “Yet there will still be a tenth portion in it, And it will again be subject to burning, Like a terebinth or an oak Whose stump remains when it is cut down. The holy seed is its stump.”

Isaiah asks, “Lord, how long?”

Isaiah’s question was wo-fold

about his own ministry

about the extent of the message that is to be delivered

God’s answer is the same -

until the cities are devastated

until there is no more inhabitants

until thouses are empty

until the land is utterly desolate

God’s answer shows him the extent of the work that God wants to accomplish against israel.

God’s answer shows him the extent of his own ministry

God has reserved a small portion for Himself

the tenth portion looks back to tithing

tithing is giving back to what rightly belongs to Him!

the holy seed is likened to a stump

the stump remains when a tree is cut down

the stump has the ability to grown back

God’s message here

God’s faithfulness prevails over His wrath!

His anger is for a moment

His faithfulness is forever and ever!

Conclusion

This kind of vision is only shown by God to those who are truly called and sent to do ministry.

The way we respond and behave in the ministry shows whether we have truly seen and experienced such vision or not.

What we need today is a clear vision of God’s majesty and glory!

Song

Sovereign Over Us (chorus)