Isaiah 6

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:1-4

SECTION III . ISAIAH 'S VISION OF GOD UPON HIS THRONE ( Isaiah 6:1-13 .). THE VISION OF GOD SEEN BY ISAIAH . It is thought by some that this vision, and its sequel, constitute the original call of Isaiah to the prophetical office, and in order of time precede all the other contents of the book. But the position of the "vision" in the book is strongly against this view. Prophets who relate their original call naturally place it in the forefront of their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:1-4

The vision of God. Sight is a thing of degrees. The healthy eye sees with infinite shades of distinctness and indistinctness, according to the amount of light which is vouchsafed it. The diseased eye has an equal variety of gradation in its powers of seeing, owing to the variations in its own condition. And it is with our spiritual as with our natural sight. The vision which men have of God varies infinitely with varying circumstances—from extreme dimness up to perfect distinctness. Amid... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:1-4

Symbolic impressions of the Divine holiness. This is the only vision recorded in Isaiah's prophecy. It did not come at the beginning of his labors, but as an inauguration to a higher degree of the prophetic office. From the tone of the latter part of the chapter, it is evident that he had found out the rebelliousness and obstinacy of the people, and perhaps had become, like Elijah, greatly distressed and discouraged; needing, therefore, such a reviving and encouragement as this vision was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:1-13

The prophet's call and consecration. There are turning-points in life which give a meaning to the whole of its after-course. A light may be given to the 'mind at such moments by which it may have to steer its course for years. In moments of despondency the man of God will fall back on memory, and encourage himself by the recollection that, having once received and followed Divine guidance, that guidance will not desert him in the future. Such was this moment in the history of Isaiah. Life... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:2

Above it stood the seraphims ; rather, above him were standing seraphim . The "seraphim" are introduced, not as well known, with the article, but without it, as unknown. The word means "fiery ones," and is supposed to denote the burning love of the blessed spirits spoken of. They appeared to the prophet as standing above the King as he sat upon his throne—"standing" to show their readiness to minister; but why "above him" is not so clear. Perhaps, simply, as those that stand are "above"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:2-4

A sermon from the seraphim. Taking the seraphim of this prophetic vision as symbols of the "highest creaturely intelligences," we gather from the text— I. THAT THE LOWLIEST REVERENCE BECOMES THE HIGHEST CREATED BEINGS . "With twain [of his wings] he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feel." Of the six wings each seraph possessed , four were used to indicate their sense of unworthiness in the near presence of God; two only were in readiness for active... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:3

One cried ; rather, kept crying (comp. Revelation 4:8 , "They rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy"). But the prophet scarcely goes so far; he describes only his vision—they did not rest while the vision was vouchsafed him. Holy, holy, holy . The Church on earth has taken pattern by the Church above; and the "Trisagion" is ever being repeated in one part of the earth or another without ceasing: "Thou continuest holy, O thou Worship of Israel." There is no attribute so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:4

The posts of the door moved ; rather, the bases of the thresholds shook (compare Revised Version). The shout of the seraphs shook the very foundations on which the thresholds of the gates of heaven rested—a testimony to the energy with which it was uttered. At the voice of him that cried ; i.e. "at the voice of each and all." The house was filled with smoke. "Smoke" is sometimes the mere sign of the presence of God, as in Isaiah 4:5 ; but more often it indicates his presence in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:5

I am undone ; literally, cut off , destroyed (comp. Isaiah 15:1 ; Jeremiah 47:5 ; Hosea 4:5 , Hosea 4:6 , etc.). God once said himself, "There shall no man see me and live" ( Exodus 33:20 ). Men expected to die even when they had seen angels of God ( Genesis 32:30 ; 6:22 , 6:23 ; 13:22 ). How we are to reconcile Exodus 33:20 with this passage, Job 42:5 , and Ezekiel 1:26-28 , is uncertain. Perhaps the ecstatic sight was not included in the " seeing " of ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:5

Man's unworthiness brought home to him by nothing o much as seeing God. The natural man is, for the most part, very well contented with himself. He does not deal much in self-scrutiny, and is not often troubled with twinges of conscience. If at any time be has any misgivings, he compares himself with other men, and readily persuades himself that he is quite as good, or even very much better than his neighbors. "God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are," is his self-satisfied... read more

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