Isaiah 6:1-8, (9-13)
6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a
throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple.
6:2 Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with
two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet,
and with two they flew.
6:3 And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the
LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory."
6:4 The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who
called, and the house filled with smoke.
6:5 And I said: "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean
lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have
seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"
6:6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had
been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs.
6:7 The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: "Now that this has
touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted
out."
6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send,
and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!"
(6:9 And he said, "Go and say to this people: 'Keep listening, but
do not comprehend; keep looking, but do not understand.'
6:10 Make the mind of this people dull, and stop their ears, and
shut their eyes, so that they may not look with their eyes, and
listen with their ears, and comprehend with their minds, and turn
and be healed."
6:11 Then I said, "How long, O Lord?" And he said: "Until cities lie
waste without inhabitant, and houses without people, and the land is
utterly desolate;
6:12 until the LORD sends everyone far away, and vast is the
emptiness in the midst of the land.
6:13 Even if a tenth part remain in it, it will be burned again,
like a terebinth or an oak whose stump remains standing when it is
felled." The holy seed is its stump.)
Isaiah 6:6, one of the seraphims has a live coal in his hand....
"live coal" just like charcoal? hot stone in his hand.. what it is
meaning ?
This is my first pass observation, and the thoughts are
not-connected...
- Who was the King? Uzziah who just died, or the LORD of hosts?
- Note the progression: The encounter with God happened first, then
Isaiah realized his sinful condition. The forgiveness of sin
happened first, then Isaiah was able to hear the heart of God. The
hearing happened first, before the response from Isaiah can be
offered.
- However, what was the point of God sending Isaiah, with the goal
of having the audience hear but not comprehend? Perhaps there may be
two explainations: 1) Out of justice, God was sending Isaiah as an
accusational agent to persecute the people; 2) God had already knew
that the people won't respond to Him, but out of love, He still want
to appeal to them.
- Isaiah responded to it as "How long?" and not "Why?" I guess when
we recognized God as truly King, we wouldn't need to question His
plan any more.
- Then there is a mysterious ending of "like a terebinth or an oak
whose stump remains standing when it is felled; the holy seed is its
stump" provided a tiny glimpse of hope for the remnant.
This passage in its entired context is fairly troubling to me. If
one were to subscribed to predestination presupositions, it meant
that once God had decided on judgement, there is no possibility for
repentance. And if so, what was the role of the prophet in time like
this?
The movie "T3: Rise of the Machine" came to my mind as a modern
illustration. Can human being really able to stop Judgement Day, or
only to merely survive it? The movie posed a great question.
Interestingly, that question presented an apparent answer if we ask
it in a personal manner: "Can I (or you) really able to stop
Judgement Day from God as described from the Bible, or only to
merely survive it?" Stop? No. But survive? Yes. Especially if we
know about this rock-solid shelter sent from God himself to sustain
us from the Judgement blast. Jesus is the rock!
Now, the only problem is if I were to stand up for this narrow
interpretation of (salvation for a few remnant), while everyone else
was preaching a more political-corrected version of "God loves you
and has a wonderful plan for your life..." I may end up the same way
as Isaiah, be branded as heretic, and persecuted for sure. Yike!
Coho, Midway City
Today's reading recounts Isaiah's commission as a prophet in
Jerusalem during the second half of the eighth century B.C. Isaiah's
intense experiences were part of his credentials to announce God's
judgment and warn God's people.
In this dramatic encounter with God, Isaiah is called to be a
prophet. In his vision, Isaiah realizes he is encountering something
few humans ever see. The hem of God's robe fills the scene. Seraphs
— God's messengers — fly about. Smoke fills the temple. Even the
pivots of the thresholds shake each time the voices call. In the
religious tradition of his day, a mortal entering the realm of the
holy faced possible death, so Isaiah is fearful (6.5). Isaiah
undergoes a purification ritual as a seraph takes a burning coal and
touches it to Isaiah's lips. After this, God asks for a messenger
and Isaiah answers, "Here I am; send me" (6.8).
The task for which Isaiah has volunteered is not easy. God's words
are troubling. They tell of the destruction of the people and the
land (6.9b-13). God reveals that the cities will lie in waste, and
the houses will be without people. Even if a tenth remains, God
tells Isaiah, it will be burned again like a tree whose stump
remains after it is cut down. But in this image of the stump is an
expression of hope. The "holy seed" 96.13) speaks to Isaiah's
growing optimism later in the book, foretelling of the surviving
remnant of Judah through which God will restore Israel.
In difficult times, where do you find hope? What images in your
faith tradition draw you toward your future and offer courage?
This is a dynamic passage for me. It has been meaningful at
different times in my life. My first encounter with Isaiah 6:1-9 was
during the most depressed time of my life. This passage described
for me how God broke into my life, and after a very desolate time, I
was able to rise above the depression. To my mind and soul, that was
God, the totalness of God!
Does not the mention of King Uzziah tell us of the time, a marker on
the calendar of humanity.
Some experts have said, Isaiah wrote this experience as a looking
back, after he had experienced the exile of the Israelites, and they
wouldn't listen to him, so 9-13 is him reminiscing.
Could "the remnant," in today's society refer to those who hear
God's voice, no matter who or where they are. Doesn't mean they will
be the only ones saved, but the salvation messenger(s) for all.
For those with a classical bent, try listening to a rendition of
David McK William's "In the Year that King Uzziah Died." It is so
depictive (is there such a word) of the Scripture, you feel the
smoke, and the cherubs/seraphim's flying. Some choirs do (can) sing
it, but they need to be quite accomplished. It is found on the CD,
"The Worlds Above" The choir of Grace Cathedral San Francisco John
Fensternmaker director.
Shalom, bammamma
I was thinking--This vision appeared to Isaiah when he was in
worship - the throne, the vision of God, the smoke of incense, the
Holy of Holies... When we are little, the church looks so big. The
church where I grew up was actually big. But from a child's
perspective it was huge. The rose window above the dossel curtain
high up, the stained glass windows, the long aisle, the big stained
glass window at the rear of the sanctuary I would see at the end of
worship, hearing that big pipe organ, all visions of God in worship
for me. Perhaps we can help our people think about their own
experiences of God. PH in OH
We are having a Baptism and the reception of new members this
weekend so this text about the Call is certainly relevant.
I am impressed with all of the lessons for this weekend that in the
face of the grace of God, there is a realization of our
unworthiness. It happens to Isaiah (a man of unclean lips) and Peter
in the Gospel (get away from me Lord for I am a sinful man). It is
also the understanding of Paul. What does this mean to our
proclamation of the Good News? (Your guilt has departed and your sin
is blotted out.)
Both Isaiah 6:8 and Luke 5:11 end with sending and following, but we
do not know where and how. There is no roadmap and we can't give a
step by step, because our lives take different paths and we are all
on a journey that is not predictable. Just because we may try to
live right and o things according to the Word of God, does not mean
that all is going to go smoothly for us. We are called to mission
and service as we follow Christ. We gather for worship, learning,
witness, service and fellowship in order that we may be given
strength for the ministries we are doing in our daily lives. the end
of the story is different for each of us and it is still unfolding.
Tom from MO
We are having a Baptism and the reception of new members this
weekend so this text about the Call is certainly relevant.
I am impressed with all of the lessons for this weekend that in the
face of the grace of God, there is a realization of our
unworthiness. It happens to Isaiah (a man of unclean lips) and Peter
in the Gospel(get away from me Lord for I am a sinful man). It is
also the understanding of Paul. What does this mean to our
proclamation of the Good News? (Your guilt has departed and your sin
is blotted out.)
Both Isaiah 6:8 and Luke 5:11 end with sending and following, but we
do not know where and how. There is no roadmap and we can't give a
step by step, because our lives take different paths and we are all
on a journey that is not predictable. Just because we may try to
live right and do things according to the Word of God, does not mean
that all is going to go smoothly for us. We are called to mission
and service as we follow Christ. We gather for worship, learning,
witness, service and fellowship in order that we may be given
strength for the ministries we are doing in our daily lives. The end
of the story is different for each of us and it is still unfolding.
Tom from MO
I ordered this to use Sunday,, "In the Year that King Uzziah Died.",
and I would like to know about how many minutes long it is? I am
trying to place it in the service, do you think it better after the
reading, or before, or in place of with just the words of Isaiah
printed in the bulletin? Nancy-Wi.
If you are talking about the one I spoke of, Nancy, it is 7 1/2
minutes long. If you use it, I would have the Scripture in the
bulletin (King James Version)for people to read along.
Shalom bammamma
This is a familiar text for me, as well. When I read it this time, I
thought the incredible encounter Isaiah had which forever changed
him. These days, Hollywood's technical effects have created a
"wow-less" generation who would think nothing of such an event. I
wonder how they would feel if it actually happened to them. They
would probably just say "cool" or "sweet" and move on, unchanged.
This is an encounter with God... and yet we have daily
God-encounters. I don't think we take them (or God, for that matter)
seriously.
There are three emphases here which one might expound in relation to
the NT. The first is the revelation of who God is. There are few
pericopes which more clearly present the nature of the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is king, according to Isaiah's
vision, enthroned in majesty, incomparably great, with such burning
light surrounding his person that the very heavenly hosts must
shield their bodies from the glory of his presence, and the very
foundation of the cosmic heavens quake at the sound of the praise of
him. But he is also king of absolute righteousness, totally other
than all creation, whose goodness shows up all humanity's ways and
condemns all humanity's evil. At the same time, he is God of
absolute mercy, who wills Isaiah's forgiveness in order that he may
accomplish his purpose on earth. Whe we are inclined to
"domesticate" God and see him as a sentimental little godlet of
blind love, this revelation stands in judgment on our understanding.
This passage also condemns our attempts to approach and worship God
easily. We enter into our worship services without giving it a
second thought, but Isaiah shows that if we approach the real God,
we stand immediately guilty before him. When we know this God, we
also know that we are condemned by his demands for justice toward
our neighbours and for unswerving trust in him, and like Isaiah and
Peter (Lk 5.8), we have no excuse. We know that if God judges us
according to our deeds, we deserve to die (Isa 6.5). Unless God
forgives us, unless God covers over our sin and makes it possible
for us to have communion with him, we literally do not have a
prayer. Thus the church can pray to God only through the mediation
of Jesus Christ.
When we know who God is, we also know that he sends us on a mission.
The worship of God and communion with him are never ends in
themselves. God is always on the move in the Bible, always working
toward the goal of establishing his kingdom on earth, and to enter
into communion with him means to work for him toward his goal.
Revelation in the Bible always includes a command to action.
Note: I am posting this to all three list.
Using all three readings I have titled my message "Unfit," using
Paul's self-description of his qualifications for apostleship. There
seem to be various human preoccupations that would tend to distract
us from the activity of God in human events.
That somewhat nebulus idea leads me to wonder about Isaiah's
preoccupation with Uzziah's kingship and the future of Judah now
that he's finally gone. Does anyone have awareness of that
particular topic or a reference that I might consult?
Any refinement of these thoughts or this outline would be
appreciated.
Things that disqualify us from discipleship. 1. Politics - Isaiah.
Relied too heavily on the king.
2. Profession - Peter. Relied too heavily on his work.
3. Prejudice - Paul. Relied too heavily on his self-righteousness.
The only way we are made fit is by the cleansing blood of Christ.
Hey, I've still got 40 hours to develop it . . . or go another
direction.
PKFlyer in TX
PKFlyer There is a possibility that the only reason Isaiah used
Uzziah's name was to clarify the time, by referring to the year this
king died, I'm not sure it was for any other reason that his name
was mentioned.
Shalom, bammamma
Bammamma,
That's what most of the commentaries that I read said. I was just
hoping that there might be some obscure "Dead Sea Scroll" that
revealed the connection. :o)
PKFlyer in TX
ADDENDUM: The point being that as unfit as we may feel for kingdom
work, God's call makes us fit.
God doesn't call the qualified.
God qualifies those who God calls.
PK Flyer Thanks for responding. I did so, because I thought you
hadn't heard about the "dating" element. I do understand where you
were going with the sermon, and I concurr. I also remember hearing
some information that there might have been a closer relationship
with Isaiah and Uzziah, but that was back in 1965, and so I don't
remember.
Blessings on your research.
Shalom, bammamma
Like a lot of pastors, I can remember fighting the call with all of
the arguments I could muster until God laughed them away. The
interesting point, at least for me, is that God got the commitment
before He named the appointment (okay, I'm long-time Methodist).
Would Isaiah have agreed if he had known about his "charge" first?
Would I? Maybe it is because God knows that we like to do things by
our own strength if we can and there would be no way that Isaiah (or
the rest of us) could handle the charges He has in mind. Once we are
committed to Him, we also find that He is committed to us for His
own sake. Just some ramblings.
Mike in Soddy Daisy, TN
The corporate boardroom could be a modern version of Isaiah's royal
court: a place of power and decision-making. Imagine the divine
boardroom! I picture it covered with television monitors, showing
God's activity everywhere in the world. How mind-bending that would
be... and that's only for our world (not the whole universe) and in
present time (not past and future). Combine that with God's love for
it all, God's pain at tragedy, God's anger with sin, and God's
peace, and you have a glimpse of the kind of power and presence that
knocked Isaiah's socks off. This is power and presence that would
drive you to your knees with your own inadequacy, starkly realized.
You would realize that you, and every one you know, is utterly
warped away from the plans God has for you. You couldn't stand there
with an immature, adolescent "Cool!" at the power of God. You would
see with utter clarity your participation in the brokeness of
creation.
The only reconciliation can come from God, and it's not fun. The
excruciating pain borne by Christ for us frees us, and makes us able
to respond to God's call. By God's grace, to paraphrase Paul, "we
are what we are": people who are made righteous through Christ,
people who are freed to take on the jobs God gives us.
Just a sketch at this point... LF
LF thanks for the image of a board room... I am introducing the song
and I think this image will work. Nancy-Wi
I realize this is late, but I know there are a few who write sermons
on Sat! Anyway, two thoughts I have about this passage. 1.) this
passage is used to describe worship, as a conversation between God
and us, with God always initiating, and our responding.
2.) the other thought I had was that in the Isaiah passage as well
as the Luke passage there is a sense that when we encounter the
Living God, our first response is to become painfully aware of our
sinfulness, and to back away, and yet God does not want to back away
from us. Instead, he cleanses us and sends us out, and in the case
of Luke, cleans the nets and sends out into deeper waters: Deeper
knowledge of Him, deeper service for Him, deeper love for Him.
Susan in Wa.
