Seeing the Lord… vs. 1-7

• 1^st – King Uzziah… vs. 1
  • Good King…
    • In the year that King Uzziah died!
    • There were a total of FORTY kings in Israel and Judah [twenty in each]
    • TWELVE kings did EVIL in the sight of the Lord [as well as all TWENTY in Israel]
    • But King Uzziah [Azariah] was one of EIGHT good kings from Judah – II Chronicles 26:4
    • He also had the SECOND longest reign of ANY king [52 years]
    • Meaning foe more than HALF a century Israel was governed by a GODLY man…
    • The result was there was great PROSPERITY and the nation was BLESSED!
    • II Chronicles 26:4 – “His fame spread… for he became exceedingly strong.”
    • But there was a down side to the BLESSING that came from a Godly king…
    • When there is a GOOD leader in POWER – people tend to look to that MAN…
    • Because it is easier to put TRUST in someone we can SEE – than an UNSEEN God…
    • This may be why Isaiah did NOT see the Lord – UNTIL Uzziah died!
    • We need to be careful NOT to put anyone on a PEDESTAL…
    • Our hope and confidence CANNOT be in a MAN – no matter how GODLY they might be…
    • Because we are all still SINNERS – and will make MISTAKES…
    • Our goal should be to always make sure we are pointing others to the ONE answer!
  • Bad end…
    • II Chronicles 26:16 – “When [Uzziah] was strong his heart was lifted up to his destruction.”
    • In his later years Uzziah though he could be both KING and PRIEST…
    • He went into the Temple to offer INCENSE to the Lord [job of the priest]
    • But the LORD struck him with leprosy – he was kicked out of the Temple – and he DIED!
    • God had divided the responsibilities of ministering to His people…
    • The King was to protect and provide for the people PRACTICALLY…
    • The Priests were to act as guides to lead the people SPIRITUALLY…
    • That way the people would never learn to depend on ONE man…
    • And through the FALL of Uzziah – Isaiah was finally able to look up!
    • There is ONE who is both KING and PRIEST – Jesus – Hebrews 7:1
    • Because He is the ONE and ONLY answer to every question…
    • I have often been accused of giving people the SAME answer…
    • No matter what the question – my response does NOT change – Jesus!
• 2^nd – The Throne… vs. 1
  • I saw the Lord sitting on a throne high and lifted up – the train of His robe filled the temple!
  • [Sequential] – because of the death of King Uzziah…
  • Isaiah SAW [רָאָה] the MASTER [אֲדֹנָי] – sitting on a TALL throne that lifted Him up [niphal]
  • And His ROBE [שׁוּל] – that of the High Priest – filled the whole TEMPLE – Exodus 39:24
  • Isaiah might have been wondering – now that Uzziah is DEAD…
  • With the king NO longer sitting on his throne – what happens next…
  • The answer is the KING never left His THRONE – the MASTER [אֲדֹנָי] is always there!
  • Hebrews 6:20 – “Jesus [our] High Priest forever.”
  • People will come and go in our lives – our circumstances will always change…
  • But the ONE thing that stands true – NEVER changes – is Jesus – Hebrews 13:8
  • And sometimes God has to take something away – so we look up and see Him!
• 3^rd – The angels… vs. 2-4
  • Cherubim…
    • Above it stood seraphim!
    • ABOVE the throne were SERAPHIM [plural] – we assume there were FOUR…
    • Because this is one of THREE main passages in the Bible describing these ANGELS!
    • FRIST – Isaiah called them the SERAPHIM [שְׂרָפִים] – meaning the ones who BURN [שָׂרַף]
    • SECOND – Ezekiel called them FOUR living [חַיּוֹת] – because they are full of LIFE – Ezekiel 1:5
    • And would go on to say they looked like BURNING bronze [Seraphim]
    • Ezekiel would also call them CHERUBIM [כְרוּבִים] – Ezekiel – 10:20
    • Like those who were carved over the top of the MERCY seat on the ARK – Exodus 25:18
    • THIRD – John called them FOUR creatures [ζῷον] – meaning to be ALIVE – Revelation 4:6
  • Their wings…
    • Each one had six wings.
    • With two he covered his face – with two he covered his feet – and with two he flew!
    • Each of the FOUR Seraphim had SIX wings [also] – Ezekiel 1:6
    • And those WINGS were full of eyes – Revelation 4:8
    • With TWO of the wings they covered [piel] their FACE – to not look at God – Exodus 33:20
    • With TWO of the wings they covered [piel] their FEET [humility]
    • With the last TWO they flew around the Throne of God!
  • Their faces…
    • Though Isaiah does NOT describe their FACES – John and Ezekiel do…
    • The Seraphim had FOUR kinds of FACES – lion – cow – man – and eagle!
    • When the TWELVE tribes camped on FOUR sides of the Tabernacle…
    • Each side had its own banner – Number 2:34
    • Jewish tradition says: Judah was a Lion – Ephraim an ox – Reuben a man – Dan an eagle…
    • The same imagery also appears in the GOSPELS…
    • Matthew a Lion [Jesus is King] – Mark an Ox [Jesus is the servant of all]
    • Luke a Man [Jesus is the perfect sacrifice] – John an Eagle [Jesus is the King of Kings]
    • What do all of these have in common – God is at the CENTER…
    • The Seraphim circle around the LORD – Israel gathered around the LORD…
    • The GOSPEL message – is all about Jesus – who is the LORD…
    • The point – this life has ONE purpose – and that is to put God at the CENTER – John 17:3
  • Their praise… vs. 3-4
    • And one cried to another and said:
    • Holy – holy – holy is the LORD of hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory.
    • The posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out.
    • And the house was filled with smoke!
    • The Seraphim cry out [sequential] to one another saying…
    • HOLY [קְדֹש] – which they repeat THREE times [Father – Son – Spirit]
    • The angels call God – the LORD [יְהוָה] of HOSTS [צְבָאוֹת] – the armies of heaven…
    • And that the whole [כָּל] world is FULL of His GLORY [כָּבוֹד] – knowledge of Him…
    • As the Seraphim cried – the whole building SHOOK…
    • And the HOUSE [בַּיִת] was filled with SMOKE [שְׁכִינָה] – I Kings 8:10
    • This is the SAME song John heard in his vision of the Lord – Revelation 4:8
    • Where the angels called Him FOUR things: First the Lord [κύριος] –He is the MASTER…
    • SECOND – the God [ὁ θεὸς] – because He is THE one and ONLY God – Deuteronomy 6:4
    • THIRD – the [ὁ] Almighty – a compound word meaning ALL [πᾶς] and POWERFUL [κράτος]
    • FOURTH – the God who WAS [past] – IS [present] – and is to COME [future]
    • Everyone KNOWS [whole world] who God is [כָּבוֹד] – Romans 1:20
    • We KNOW He is our MASTER – who is the ONLY God – who has ALL power…
    • Who has ALWAYS been – and will ALWAYS be forever…
    • Is it no wonder our TRIUNE [holy 3x] God should be worshiped!
• 4^th – Unclean… vs. 5
  • Unclean lips…
    • So I said: Woe is me for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips.
    • I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips!
    • [Sequential] as a RESULT of what Isaiah saw – the GLORY of the Lord…
    • [וָאֹמַר] He said – WOE [אוֹי] to me because [כִּי] I am going to DIE [niphal]
    • FIRST – [כִּי] because – he had UNCLEAN lips [sinner] – and lived among UNCLEAN people!
    • Exodos 33:20 – “You cannot see My face – for no man shall see Me and live.”
    • When Moses asked to see the FACE of God – he was told it was NOT possible…
    • No man can look on His FACE and live – there are TWO thoughts on why!
    • God is so HOLY – there is NO sin in him – He is PURE light…
    • When a SINFUL man comes into His presence – Hebrews 4:13
    • And the BRIGHTNESS of His glory – exposes every FLAW – ever SINFUL thought…
    • We are left condemned – overwhelmed by our inevitable fate [death] – Romans 6:23
  • Lord of Hosts…
    • For my eyes have seen the King the LORD of hosts!
    • SECOND – [כִּי] because Isaiah saw the KING [הַמֶּלֶךְ] – the LORD [יְהוָה] of HOSTS [צְבָאוֹת]
    • Yet he did LIVE – but perhaps did NOT want to go back…
    • Upon seeing our Lord – who would want to go back to their old life!
    • II Corinthians 12:4 – “[I] was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” [NLT]
    • Paul after seeing PARADISE – saw things so amazing he could NOT even write about them…
    • One has to wonder if this part of why he would go on to say he was TORN…
    • Because he wanted to go HOME – but stayed in order to HELP the church – Philippians 1:23
• 5^th – Forgiven… vs. 6-7
  • The coal… vs. 6
    • Then one of the seraphim flew to me.
    • Having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar!
    • One of the Seraphim then came over to Isaiah…
    • He brought a HOT coal from off of the ALTAR [of incense]
    • Inside the Tabernacle – next to the veil – was an Altar of INCENSE – Exodus 30:1-10
    • The Lord told Moses that He would meet with him there at the Alter…
    • Because even Moses could NOT go inside into the presence of God…
    • But as the INCENSE was burned – it would carry through the veil – into the HOLIEST of all…
    • It is used to describe the PRAYERS of the SAINTS – Revelation 5:8
  • Clean… vs. 7
    • And he touched my mouth with it and said.
    • Behold this has touched your lips – your iniquity is taken away and your sin purged!
    • The Seraphim touched the HOT coal to CLEAN the lips of Isaiah…
    • LOOK [הִנֵּה] – your CONVICTION [עָוֹן] is taken – and your SIN [חַטָּאָת] is FORGIVEN [pual]!
    • The cure for SIN – it NOT to burn our lips…
    • Please do NOT run out and look for HOT coals in order to be FORGIVEN!
    • The picture is that through PRAYER – by recognizing our SINFULNESS…
    • And coming to the Lord and asking for FORGIVENESS – we are made CLEAN! 
    • I John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

• 2^nd – Sent by the Lord… vs. 8-13
  • 1^st – Voice of the Lord… vs. 8
    • Plural…
      • Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Whom shall I send – and who will go for Us?
      • [Sequential] – because Isaiah had been FORGIVEN [confessed his sin]
      • The Lord [אֲדֹנָי] asked WHO should He SEND [LXX – ἀποστέλλω]
      • And He went on to ask – WHO will go for US [plural]!
      • This is NOT the only time that God refers to Himself in the PLURAL…
      • When God made Adam and Eve He said – let US make them in OUR image – Genesis 1:26
      • When men built Babel He said – let US go and confuse their language – Genesis 11:7
      • There are FOUR words used in the Bible for God…
      • [אֵל] God – is the generic name for god [not a title or description]
      • [אֲדֹנָי] Lord – used over 400x in OT – refers to His AUTHORITY [the master]
      • [יְהוָה] Lord – used over 5300x in OT – refers to His CHARACTER [the I Am]
      • [אֱלֹהִים] God [plural] – used over 2300x in OT – refers to His divine NATURE [three in one]
      • The Rabbis say that it is plural to add emphasis to the name of God…
      • We know better – it is plural because God is triune – three in one!
    • Trinity…
      • Deuteronomy 6:4 – “Hear O Israel: The LORD our God – the LORD is one.”
      • Every Sabbath day – in EVERY synagogue – in EVERY nation of the world…
      • This verse is EVERY by every Jew – the statement there is only ONE God…
      • Hear O Israel:  The Lord [יְהוָה] our God [אֱלֹהִים] is one Lord [יְהוָה]
      • The word ONE is the Hebrew word [אֶחָד] – properly interpreted united as one…
      • Hear O Israel – YAHWEH our Gods are untied into one YAHWEH!
      • One of the great mysteries of our Faith – there is only One God…
      • Yet God exists in THREE distinct persons: God the Father – God the Son – God the Spirit…
      • The Bible makes NO effort to explain HOW this is true – ONLY that it is a FACT…
      • What makes a religion a cult – rather than a denomination…
      • Is there denial of this KEY doctrine – rejecting the divinity of Jesus Christ!
  • 2^nd – Here am I… vs. 8
    • Then I said: Here am I! Send me!
    • Isaiah heard the QUESTION – and he was NOT shy to answer…
    • Here I am Lord [אֲדֹנָי] – You must [imperative] send [ἀποστέλλω] me!
    • We have all applied for a Job – we know about job qualifications…
    • We prepare our resumé – try to make it look as impressive as we can…
    • Because depending on the work – they might require a college degree…
    • They may want certain work experience – prior training…
    • At certain jobs they are looking for a particular age – or even height [airlines]!
    • There is a LONG list of what God does NOT require from those He uses…
    • He does NOT require a DEGREE [Bible college is not necessary]
    • He does NOT require any prior experience [He does on the job training]
    • He does NOT care about our abilities [He is more than able to equip us]
    • He does NOT worry about our appearance [we are perfect in His sight]
    • The ONE qualification for being used by God – answer His call…
    • Because the ONLY thing that can STOP the work of God in our lives is us…
    • God will NOT force us to serve Him – He only asks if we are willing!
  • 3^rd – The Command… vs. 9-10
    • Listen… vs. 9
      • He said: Go and tell this people: Keep on hearing!
      • [Sequential] – because Isaiah responded to the CALL of God…
      • God commanded him to GO [imperative] and speak to the people [Judah]
      • He had ONE command – they must [imperative] LISTEN carefully…
      • The word LISTEN [שָׁמַע] is repeated twice – [שִׁמְעוּ] imperative – [שָׁמוֹעַ] infinitive!
      • Because the ONLY thing that brings FAITH – is hearing the Word – Romans 10:17
      • Therefore God commands Isaiah to go and command them the LISTEN!
    • Do not understand… vs. 9
      • But do not understand. Keep on seeing but do not perceive!
      • This is where this gets VERY interesting [pay attention]
      • God told Isaiah to COMMAND the people to LISTEN…
      • BUT [וְ] – God did NOT [אַל] want [jussive] them to UNDERSTAND [בִּין]
      • He wanted them to SEE [רָאָה] – but [וְ] NOT [jussive] comprehend [יָדַע]
      • Do NOT misunderstand – God did NOT want the people to be DEAF and BLIND…
      • But God KNEW – no matter how many times Isaiah told the people to LISTEN…
      • It would NOT help – because God knew the HEARTS of the people!
    • Fat Hearts… vs. 10
      • Make the heart of this people dull – and their ears heavy – and shut their eyes.
      • The more Isaiah told them to LISTEN – the FATTER [hiphil] their hearts [לֵב] became…
      • [וְ] AND – because of their CLOGGED [fat] hearts…
      • Their EAR became [hiphil] dull [כָּבוֹד] – and their EYES closed [hiphil]!
      • This verse is quoted by Jesus in the Parables – Matthew 13:14-15
      • When He gave them powerful spiritual truths [seed and sower]
      • But the people did NOT understand – and walked away confused…
      • Because the PARABLES were a TEST – to see who would ask QUESTIONS…
      • The only ones who inquired what the PARABLES meant – were the DISCIPLES!
      • Matthew 13:16 – “Blessed are your eyes for they see – and your ears for they hear.”
      • There is a DANGER to just sitting and LISTENING to the Word…
      • There are a lot of FAT people in church – full of the WORD…
      • People who sit in church week after week LISTENING to Bible studies…
      • But if we do NOT act on it – if we do NOT obey it – we become calloused to what it says…
      • We convince ourselves that we KNOW the truth…
      • But if that TRUTH is not lived out our daily lives – it has NO power!
      • James 1:22 – “Do not just listen to Gods word. [We] must do what it says!” [NLT]
    • Healed… vs. 10
      • Lest they see with their eyes – and hear with their ears – and understand with their heart.
      • And return and be healed!
      • Because [פֵּן] if they could SEE [רָאָה] – and HEAR [שָׁמַע] – their heart would UNDERSTAND [בִּין]
      • [וְ] AND [sequential] – they would REPENT [שׁוּב] and be SAVED [רָפָא]!
      • When someone has HIGH cholesterol [fatty heart]
      • It known as the SILENT killer – because it cannot easily be seen…
      • The ONLY way to know if someone is in DANGER – is to run a TEST!
      • In the same way – if we want to KNOW if we have a HARD heart there is a TEST…
      • When we hear the WORD of God – do we REPENT [שׁוּב]
      • Because if we really SEE and HEAR what the WORD has to say…
      • We will UNDERSTAND we are SINNERS who are bound for DESTRUCTION – Matthew 7:13
      • And we will quickly TURN [שׁוּב] around and run to God who will SAVE us!
  • 4^th – Hard work… vs. 11-12
    • How long… vs. 11
      • Then I said: Lord how long?
      • [Sequential] – in response to God saying the people would NOT repent…
      • Their FAT hearts would dull [hiphil] their ears – and close [hiphil] their eyes…
      • Isaiah had ONE question – HOW long Lord [אֲדֹנָי]
      • He is NOT rejecting the commission – he is still willing to go [calls God master]
      • But sensing the futility of the call – he wonders how long he has to keep it up!
    • Till the end… vs. 11-12
      • And He answered: Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant.
      • The houses are without a man. The land is utterly desolate.
      • The LORD has removed men far away – forsaken places are many in the midst of the land!
      • [Sequential] – the Lord answered Isaiah…
      • Until [עַד] the cities are RUINED [שָׁאָה] – and there is NO one [אִין]
      • Their houses are EMPTY – not [אִין] even one MAN [singular] left…
      • The LAND is completely [niphal] DESOLATE [תִּשָּׁאֶה] – a wasteland [שְׁמָמָה]
      • And [Sequential] – great [רַב] will be the RUIN of the LAND!
      • We are NOT called to go out and SHARE the Gospel with a HUNGRY world…
      • We go out to a REBELLIOUS people who do NOT want God…
      • Therefore we should NOT be surprised when MOST people reject the message…
      • It is NOT that they do NOT know the truth – they do NOT want it – John 3:19
      • But that does NOT mean we stop preaching – we keep going…
      • Until there is NO one left to preach the MESSAGE to!
  • 5^th – The seed… vs. 13
    • The Tenth…
      • [And] yet a tenth will be in it and will return and be for consuming!
      • [וְ] AND – if even a TENTH of the people come back [שׁוּב] to the Land…
      • They will ALSO be BURNED [piel] to the ground!
      • When Judah came back from the SEVENTY years of Captivity – Jeremiah 25:11
      • Less than FIFTY thousand came back – Ezra 2:64
      • This small number [ten percent?] became the Jews of the New Testament…
      • But even they would NOT last long in the Land…
      • Rome would come and sack JERUSALEM – burn down the TEMPLE [70 A.D.]
      • And finally cast out the remnant and rename it PALESTINE [132 A.D.]
    • Hope…
      • As a terebinth tree or as an oak whose stump remains when it is cut down.
      • So the holy seed shall be its stump!
      • [וְ] BUT – like [כָ] the stump of a mighty OAK tree with DEEP roots…
      • Can be the SEED that allows the TREE to grow again…
      • Likewise from the REMNANT of Israel – will come the HOLY [קְדֹש] SEED…
      • The HOLY seed being a reference to Jesus Christ – Genesis 3:15
      • This ought to give us GREAT hope – God is working even when we are NOT listening…
      • Yes He will punish us when our HEARTS are hard – to get our attention…
      • But that does NOT mean He will turn His back on us…
      • He is working to try and get us to LISTEN – and TURN to Jesus [Holy seed]

He wants to make us into a HOLY [קְדֹש] people – who live for Him!