‏ Isaiah 6

* The vision which Isaiah beheld in the temple. (1-8) The Lord

declares the blindness to come upon the Jewish nation, and the

destruction which would follow. (9-13)

1-8 In this figurative vision, the temple is thrown open to

view, even to the most holy place. The prophet, standing outside

the temple, sees the Divine Presence seated on the mercy-seat,

raised over the ark of the covenant, between the cherubim and

seraphim, and the Divine glory filled the whole temple. See God

upon his throne. This vision is explained, #Joh 12:41|, that

Isaiah now saw Christ's glory, and spake of Him, which is a full

proof that our Saviour is God. In Christ Jesus, God is seated on

a throne of grace; and through him the way into the holiest is

laid open. See God's temple, his church on earth, filled with

his glory. His train, the skirts of his robes, filled the

temple, the whole world, for it is all God's temple. And yet he

dwells in every contrite heart. See the blessed attendants by

whom his government is served. Above the throne stood the holy

angels, called seraphim, which means "burners;" they burn in

love to God, and zeal for his glory against sin. The seraphim

showing their faces veiled, declares that they are ready to

yield obedience to all God's commands, though they do not

understand the secret reasons of his counsels, government, or

promises. All vain-glory, ambition, ignorance, and pride, would

be done away by one view of Christ in his glory. This awful

vision of the Divine Majesty overwhelmed the prophet with a

sense of his own vileness. We are undone if there is not a

Mediator between us and this holy God. A glimpse of heavenly

glory is enough to convince us that all our righteousnesses are

as filthy rags. Nor is there a man that would dare to speak to

the Lord, if he saw the justice, holiness, and majesty of God,

without discerning his glorious mercy and grace in Jesus Christ.

The live coal may denote the assurance given to the prophet, of

pardon, and acceptance in his work, through the atonement of

Christ. Nothing is powerful to cleanse and comfort the soul, but

what is taken from Christ's satisfaction and intercession. The

taking away sin is necessary to our speaking with confidence and

comfort, either to God in prayer, or from God in preaching; and

those shall have their sin taken away who complain of it as a

burden, and see themselves in danger of being undone by it. It

is great comfort to those whom God sends, that they go for God,

and may therefore speak in his name, assured that he will bear

them out. 9-13 God sends Isaiah to foretell the ruin of his people. Many

hear the sound of God's word, but do not feel the power of it.

God sometimes, in righteous judgment, gives men up to blindness

of mind, because they will not receive the truth in the love of

it. But no humble inquirer after Christ, need to fear this awful

doom, which is a spiritual judgment on those who will still hold

fast their sins. Let every one pray for the enlightening of the

Holy Spirit, that he may perceive how precious are the Divine

mercies, by which alone we are secured against this dreadful

danger. Yet the Lord would preserve a remnant, like the tenth,

holy to him. And blessed be God, he still preserves his church;

however professors or visible churches may be lopped off as

unfruitful, the holy seed will shoot forth, from whom all the

numerous branches of righteousness shall arise.