Isaiah January 21, 2024

Secular: Beneath the Marquand Chapel at Yale Divinity School is an undecorated prayer chamber. Some refer to it as the catacombs. The octagonal room rises to an immense height. Its unadorned walls are broken only by small openings for light. As we approach the entrance, we are conscious of the fact that our shadow is diminishing in size until by the time we reach the altar, it is actually much less than normal. This phenomenon is accomplished through unique lighting at the end of the corridor. Is not this a parable of the transformation that occurs within when Christ becomes the center of our living? We decrease while Christ increases!

Personal: This transformation, this unique lighting that comes from within a Christian, takes a lifetime to refine. The more we become like Jesus, the brighter this unique light shines from within. We cannot continue to swim in the cesspool of sin and expect this light within us to reflect Jesus. To rise from the catacombs of sin and receive this unique light, one needs to see God’s glory.

Life Truth: To see the unique majesty of God’s glory changes a person.

Paul was once a persecutor of Christians and the church. We are familiar of his conversion on the road leading to Damascus, but he had another unique time when he experienced God (Galatians 1:11-12).

Galatians 1:11–12 (NASB95)

11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Subj: How can our light shine when we have not seen the other world?

Biblical: As we turn our attention to Isaiah, his life was altered following a unique time when he witnessed the majesty of God’s glory. Much like the apostle Paul, patriarchs, Moses, and Elijah, this unique time in Isaiah 6, changed his outlook on life and this light within him shined ever so bright.

Re: So again, how can we live for Jesus when we are blind to such experiences?

1. Historical setting? Relate (Share the Journey)

A. After the death of Solomon, Israel was divided as a nation. Ten tribes went north and two went south. Ten in the north (Israel; Samaria). Two in the south (Judah; Jerusalem). Isaiah touched both kingdoms. He lived and ministered in Jerusalem and he was a prophet (speaks or proclaims a message from God).

B. In chapters 1-39 Isaiah warns of an impending Assyrian invasion & punishment for Judah’s iniquities. Judah was swimming in the cesspool of sin. The light for their love for God was as dark as their hearts. Uzziah was king of Judah. He was proud and acted corruptly. His sin led to leprosy (2 Chron. 26:17-19).

2 Chronicles 26:17–19 NASB95

17 Then Azariah the priest entered after him and with him eighty priests of the Lord, valiant men. 18 They opposed Uzziah the king and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no honor from the Lord God.” 19 But Uzziah, with a censer in his hand for burning incense, was enraged; and while he was enraged with the priests, the leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, beside the altar of incense.

C. Their we have a snapshot of King Uzziah. Jewish tradition assumes Isaiah and Uzziah to be cousins. If so, most likely they knew each other well. We get the picture that Isaiah was surrounded by darkness. When his eyes behold the majesty of God’s glory, the change is like a spotlight shining on him in a chair.

2. What all did Isaiah see? (Isaiah 6:1-7) Reflect (Enter the battle)

A. (Isaiah 6:1)

Isaiah 6:1 NASB95

1 In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.

What a contrast! King Uzziah is dead and the Lord,the King of kings, is alive and on his throne. A.W. Tozer sheds light on Uzziah’ death (VC.1).

"I suspect Isaiah stood in tearless grief and looked down at the face of the lifeless king. The silent mouth would issue no more decrees. The royal eyes would never again stare terror into any of his subjects. The royal hand and sceptre would never again be raised in command. The royal head, cold and pale and quiet, no longer wore a crown.”

Isaiah saw the transcendence of the Lord (rise above). King Uzziah’s reign of 52 years was over, yet the Lord’s reign, described by Isaiah, transcended time. The majesty of God’s glory is unique. The throne, exaltation, & worship are directed to God & deserved.

B. (Isaiah 6:2-4)

Isaiah 6:2–4 NASB95

2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.

What a scene for Isaiah to see. Isaiah saw the spotlight shining on the Lord being worship. The immanence of the living God touched Isaiah. God is present, close to and involved with creation. The seraphim (burning ones) are heavenly beings, Isaiah was permitted to see behind the curtain of life. The thresholds were not the only thing trembling. Seeing the majesty of God’s glory changed Isaiah.

C. (Isaiah 6:5-7)

Isaiah 6:5–7 NASB95

5 Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”

We may not have seen the majesty of God’s glory, but we are a people of unclean lips like Isaiah. In that moment, Isaiah saw his state of depravity (corrupt human nature) contrasted with God’s holiness. God’s holiness is so pure, the unfallen seraphim cover their faces in his presence. How much more Isaiah. The seraphim removed Isaiah’s guilt from wrongdoing. Now Isaiah had a message for Judah (VC.2).

“But unlike the prophet, most members of the nation refused to admit they had a spiritual need.”

3. How to see God’s uniqueness Respond (Walk with God)

A. To know God is to see His transcendence.

He is known when we place ourselves under His authority. Our heart is his throne. He is exalted by allowing His H.S. to fill our minds (thoughts, actions, speech).

B. To know God is to feel His immanence.

The presence of the Holy One is reason enough to worship. Because the whole earth is full of his glory, offering a word of praise reminds us we are never alone.

C. To know God is to be remorseful for your depravity.

The blood of Jesus covers all of our depravity! To remain in a state of ruin (sin) is to not know God. The forgiveness of sins remains open for us today.

Big Idea: Outlooks are changed when the Lord shows us our insides.

Heavenly Father, you are seated on your throne being worshiped as we pray. We humbly come before you with our unclean lips in an attitude of worship. We confess the tendency of looking at others in a self-righteous manner while carelessly overlooking our depravity. For those who desire to know you like Isaiah knew you, speak to and break the strongholds in their lives. We believe a holy trembling within leads to a holy messenger for God. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

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