Friday, November 15 – Isaiah 6, 7 – Additional Reading, Prophets and Kings, Chapter 25, “The Call of Isaiah”

1. What did one of the seraphim use to touch Isaiah’s lips, and what did he say? Isaiah 6:6-7

2. Did Ahaz do the right thing by rejecting God’s offer to give him a sign? Isaiah 7:10-13

3. What sign did the Lord give to Ahaz? Isaiah 7:14

Commentary and Reflection:

I am glad we have begun exploring the book of the prophet Isaiah, which could be considered a synthesis of the Holy Scriptures, as it essentially touches on the major themes of written revelation. We find references to creation, the patriarchal period, the Mosaic era, the Hebrew monarchy, poetry, wisdom, the prophets, the fulfillment of the Messianic promise, the plan of salvation, the establishment of the Christian church, eschatology, and the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth. The name Isaiah means “The Lord is Salvation.”

In the first four verses of chapter 6, the prophet recounts his impressive vision of God on His heavenly throne. The servant of the Lord is overwhelmed with reverential fear as God’s holiness is revealed. Before we can be instruments in His hands, there must be an attitude of humility to recognize the greatness and holiness of God, our Creator and Sustainer. The word “Holy” or “holiness” (Kadosh), when applied to God, refers to His distinct nature and being, unlike anything else in the universe. A theologian once called Him “The Completely Other,” one who has no comparison.

In verse 1 and verses 5-8, Isaiah recalls the terrible death of Uzziah due to leprosy, which he received as punishment for attempting to usurp priestly privileges (2 Chronicles 26:16). His death likely occurred in 740 B.C. Although the king of Israel dies, the God of Israel lives forever. This vision of God’s glory was given to Isaiah during a visit to the sacred precincts of the Temple. Its purpose was to prepare Isaiah for his call to the prophetic ministry. The first thing the prophet needed to understand was that despite the power of the Assyrian kingdom, God was on His throne and had control over the affairs of this world.

Isaiah saw angelic beings called seraphim for the first and only time. In Hebrew, this means “those who burn and shine.” The angels around the throne marvel at God’s outstanding attribute of holiness.

Again, in verses 5-8, Isaiah goes through repentance, confession, and purification. Now, he is prepared to receive his call to preach to the people. The young prophet feels comforted by divine grace, and when he hears God’s call in the form of a question, he responds: “Here am I, send me.” Are we as willing as he was?

Verse 13 reminds us that God has always had and will have a faithful remnant. “But yet a tenth will be in it, and will return and be for consuming, as a terebinth tree or as an oak, whose stump remains when it is cut down. So the holy seed shall be its stump.”

Chapter 7 of Isaiah begins the second book or volume into which the book is divided. This section is known as “The Book of Immanuel,” which extends to chapter 12:6. Here, we find the first references to the figure of the Savior Messiah, Immanuel, characteristic of Isaiah. Some call it: “the Gospel according to Isaiah.”

The northern kings prepared to attack Jerusalem again. The king and the people’s reaction was despair and fear. Then God acted to protect His beloved city and its king.

God invited Ahaz to ask for a sign that what was promised would come to pass. The king refused to ask for it, claiming he would not test the Lord. This might seem like humility, but God saw it as a lack of faith. God’s purpose in offering a sign was to strengthen the king’s faith. Ahaz had already decided that the help he needed would come from the king of Assyria to defend against his two powerful enemies. How ironic! Rejecting the help of the Almighty for that of man. “Cursed is the man who trusts in man…” said Jeremiah (Jeremiah 17:15).

Despite Ahaz’s refusal to ask for a sign from God, the Lord gave him one to show that the enemy would be eliminated. In his stubbornness, Ahaz rejected Immanuel.

The fact that God asked Isaiah to be accompanied by his son Shear-Jashub, the prophet’s firstborn, was to confirm that God would fulfill His word through the meaning of Shear-Jashub: “a remnant shall return” and be saved.

With the child’s birth, Immanuel, “God with Us,” Ahaz, and the people should have understood that God was among them amid that crisis, yet they chose not to believe. The Immanuel of Isaiah’s days foreshadowed the true Immanuel who would dwell among men for our salvation. Praise be to God for fulfilling that millennial promise of Genesis 3:15!

Let us trust in the promises of our God, who is faithful to fulfill them.