Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

Isaiah CHAPTER 6

A PROPHET’S CALL AND COMMISSION

1. The vision is located "in the year that king Uzziah died"; whether before or after his death is not specifically stated - though Isaiah was definitely in the prophetic office before his death, (Isaiah 1:1).

2. In the midst of trying times, Isaiah was granted a glimpse of Judah’s Divine King - enthroned, exalted, glorious and adequate to meet her deepest need, (Revelation 4:2-3; Revelation 20:11; comp. Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 4:19).

3. Above him hovered the six-winged seraphims (burning ones) proclaiming, in antiphonal chant, or responsive song, the perfect holiness and earth-filling glory of "Jehovah of hosts" - the pre-incarnate Christ and covenant-God of Israel, (John 12:41; comp. Revelation 4:8; Revelation 5:9-13; Numbers 14:21; Habakkuk 2:14; Psalms 22:27).

4. At the sound of the angelic voices the doorposts of the temple trembled, and smoke (probably suggestive of divine displeasure against sin) filled the house, (comp. Exodus 19:18; Isaiah 33:14; Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29).

5. This was truly a humbling and prostrating experience for Isaiah - the man of God, who identified himself with Judah and her sins, comp. (Nehemiah 9:32-37; Daniel 9:4-19) - the deep sin-consciousness resulting from his beholding "the king, the LORD of hosts", (comp. Exodus 33:22; Job 40:4-5; Job 42:5-6).

Verse 6-13: CLEANSING AND A NEW COMMISSION

1. In response to Isaiah’s anguished confession, one of the seraphims took a live coal from off the altar, laid it upon his mouth, and declared his iniquity atoned for; his sin purged, (Verse 6-7; comp. Jeremiah 1:9; Daniel 10:16; Isaiah 40:2; Isaiah 53:5-6; Isaiah 53:11; 1 John 1:7).

2. It is then that the Lord’s own voice is heard: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And the response of the prophet is immediate: "Here am I; SEND ME!"

3. Only after Isaiah’s whole-hearted commitment to proclaim the Lord’s message does the Lord reveal that it is to be a hardening, deafening, blinding and condemning word - the result of Judah’s persistent rebellion and unbelief, (Verse 9-10; Nehemiah 9:24-31).

4. In response to the prophet’s impassioned cry of "How long?" the Lord tells him that the message of impending judgment must be proclaimed until the sentence is fully executed in: the laying waste of their cities and farmlands, the vacating of their luxurious houses, and their deportation to a strange land, (Verse 11-12; Psalms 79:5; Leviticus 26:31; Isaiah 1:7; Isaiah 3:8; Isaiah 3:26; Jeremiah 4:29).

5. Though a remnant be spared (a holy seed), it will be subjected to constant testing; but, the Redeemer of Israel will not leave Himself without a people for his own possession and service! (Deuteronomy 7:6-10; 1 Peter 2:9-10).

a. God will not utterly forsake them (2 Samuel 7:24); the discipline of dispersion and desolation is but a proof of their election (Amos 3:2); the casting off will not be permanent, (Zechariah 10:6).

b. A holy remnant (root-stump) will remain - ultimately to sprout, bud, blossom and bear fruit to the glory of God!