The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:6
A live coal ; or, a glowing stone , as Gesenius, Rosenmüller, Knobel, and Mr. Cheyne understand. The tongs … the altar . The presence of an altar in the heavenly dwelling, with the usual appurtenances, is assumed (comp. Revelation 6:9 ; Revelation 8:3 ). The altar is, no doubt, an altar of incense, and of gold, not of stone; but the incense is burnt upon stones heated to a glow, and it is one of these stones which the angel takes with the golden tongs of the sanctuary ( Exodus 25:38... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 6:5-7
Spiritual agitation. The passage depicts the prophet in a condition of great mental agitation; his state may suggest to us— I. THE ALARM OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT UNDER THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE DIVINE PRESENCE . Anything which brings us into close contact with the unseen world powerfully affects our spirit and produces an apprehension for which we may not be able to account. 1. Any visitant, real or imaginary, from the spiritual realm fills us with fear (see 6:22... read more